Key points
- Each manufacturer is responsible for additions or changes made at its own approval stage.
- Previous-stage manufacturers must communicate changes that affect later approval work.
- The VIN should remain the stable reference between manufacturing stages.
- Do not create a new VIN merely because a production stage changes.
Each manufacturing stage has its own responsibilities
Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 makes multi-stage manufacturers responsible for the approval and conformity of production of systems, components or separate technical units added at their stage. A manufacturer that modifies a previously approved item is also responsible for the effect of that change on the approval.
Article 22 requires the final-stage approval to cover the applicable technical requirements for the completed vehicle.
Use the VIN as the shared reference between stages
A controlled VIN record gives the base-vehicle and subsequent-stage teams a stable reference for the same physical vehicle. It should be paired with stage-specific approval references, model information and internal notes rather than replaced by an unrelated local identifier.
The exact VIN assignment and marking process must follow the approved vehicle documentation and the instructions of the competent authority.
Keep stage information outside the 17 characters
Do not improvise stage status inside WMI, VDS or VIS unless that structure is part of the approved definition. Track stage, customer, bodybuilder or completion information in separate record fields.
This keeps the VIN compliant and machine-readable while preserving the operational detail needed by the manufacturers involved.
ManageVIN is a calculation and record-management aid. It does not assign WMI codes and does not replace an approval authority or professional compliance review.
