Much traffic crosses Austria, being a major transit country. The technical parameters of lorries and cars are governed by International and European Standards. In Austria, automotive standardisation is closely linked to national legislation. The Road Traffic Code as well as the Motor Vehicles Act and its implementing ordinance make reference to standards defining minimum requirements.
As a mountainous country, Austria gives high priority to safety. In winter, roads are often covered by snow. As a result, snow chains or other wheel-slide protection devices are required by legislation and defined in standards, notably in the Austrian ÖNORM standards V 5117, V 5119 and V 5121.
In Austria, fuels comply with international standards, which is evidenced by more than 160 documents. Only a minor part of them is specific to Austria, such as the standards on liquefied petroleum gas or hydraulic oils.
Shifting freight traffic from road to rail and water is of particular concern to Austria. Therefore, experts drew up special quality requirements to be observed in planning terminals for the transhipment of goods. These are laid down in the 6-part ÖNORM B 4920.
For further details and information on current developments, please see the thematic portal "Automotive Standards" on the Website of the Austrian Standards Institute.
- Author:
- Mag. Priska Koiner
- Source:
- Dr. Johannes Stern. Austrian Standards Institute
