TÜV Association calls for clear regulations for autonomous and connected vehicles

The automotive industry is undergoing change: Electrification, automation, and digitalization are increasingly shaping mobility. Against this backdrop, the TÜV Association has published a position paper titled "Digital Car – Safety, Efficient Regulation, and Independent Testing." It outlines ways to align technical innovations with safety, data protection, and fair market regulation. Central themes include dealing with autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and vehicle-generated data.

Safely Introducing Autonomous Driving 

For the safe introduction of vehicles with an automation level of SAE Level 4, the TÜV Association calls for transparent approval procedures and the promotion of practical application scenarios, such as in the logistics sector. Moreover, the association advocates for a European-coordinated regulation to create uniform standards.

Regulation of Safety-Critical AI Systems 

Learning AI systems in vehicles pose new safety requirements. The TÜV Association supports a mandatory testing and certification model. A European "data trust" should help ensure the quality of training data. AI testing should be integrated into existing procedures like type approval and main inspection.

Introduction of a Digital Vehicle File 

A key measure to improve digital vehicle management is the introduction of an EU-wide harmonized digital vehicle file (dFZA). It should be linked to the software update management and operated in compliance with data protection regulations. Secure and standardized interfaces should ensure reliable data exchange.

Standardize Access to Vehicle Data 

The TÜV Association calls for binding regulations for access to vehicle-generated data. Standardized, interoperable interfaces should enable testing centers and authorities to have equal access. From the association's perspective, guidelines are not sufficient – legally anchored requirements are necessary.

Data Protection in Autonomous Vehicles 

ensure Autonomous vehicles process extensive personal data. To meet the requirements of the GDPR, functions such as anonymization, consent management, and the use of data trustees should be a mandatory standard. Clear legal regulations are also required for data access in the public interest.