Anyone who's done eCall certification knows the cycle isn't a one-sentence answer. Components differ from whole vehicles. NG eCall differs from legacy eCall. And whether pre-testing was done properly makes a world of difference.
The biggest change in EU eCall certification for 2026 is the mandatory switch to NG eCall. From January 1, 2026, the EU no longer accepts type approval applications for legacy eCall supporting only 2G or 3G. All new applications must support 4G or 5G NG eCall. Old certificates expire entirely on January 1, 2027. Even stricter: by January 1, 2028, NG eCall certificates based on the earlier CEN/TS 17240 2018 technical specification also lapse — full compliance with the latest EN standards becomes mandatory.
The timeline is that tight. Cycle planning can't afford a single misstep.
Phase 1: Strategic Preparation — 1 to 2 Months
Many don't count this phase as part of the certification cycle, but it's the make-or-break stage for everything that follows.
The first priority is legal entity preparation: non-EU manufacturers must appoint an EU Authorized Representative (EC-REP) and sign a formal authorization agreement. This step can't be skipped — without an EC-REP, notified bodies won't accept your application, period.
Simultaneously, select your notified body and accredited test lab. NG eCall has clear lab capability requirements — the lab must be able to perform full testing under EN 17184 2024 and EN 17240 2024. Chinese labs with CNAS accreditation for NG eCall testing now exist, so you don't necessarily have to ship samples to Europe.
Design freeze and technical documentation start in parallel: MSD V3 data logic description, GDPR-compliant privacy protection plan, and English user manual with privacy clauses. Prepare 2 to 3 test samples.
Phase 2: Formal Lab Testing — 3 to 6 Weeks
This is the most time-consuming and technically demanding phase of the entire cycle.
Functional testing covers automatic and manual trigger, MSD V3 data transmission, and multi-constellation GNSS positioning accuracy verification. NG eCall requires positioning error within 3 meters under dynamic conditions — a hard requirement for both antenna and algorithm design.
Environmental reliability testing follows ISO 16750 standards for high/low temperature and vibration cycling.
Backup battery endurance testing is a heavily scrutinized item this year. Under new rules, if the backup battery also powers other devices, from January 1, 2027 it must pass stricter endurance standards: 5 minutes call plus 56 minutes standby plus 5 minutes call. Running this sequence puts significant pressure on backup power system design.
EMC testing, network protocol compatibility testing, and audio call quality testing are also covered in this phase. A clean pass takes 3 to 4 weeks. Non-conformities requiring rework add at least 1 to 2 weeks per round, with testing costs increasing 50-70%.
Phase 3: Real-Vehicle Road Testing — 1 to 2 Weeks
An NG eCall exclusive phase. Even after all lab tests pass, you still need a real-world road test to verify call success rate, positioning stability, and 4G/5G network handover performance in actual network conditions. Tunnels, underground garages, and other weak-signal areas are key evaluation scenarios.
Components like T-BOX or communication modules that are already vehicle-installed can road test together with the vehicle — no need for a separate round.
Phase 4: Report Review and Notified Body Evaluation — 2 to 4 Weeks
After the lab issues test reports, they're submitted to the notified body along with the complete technical file. The body verifies documentation consistency, testing compliance, and data authenticity. Supplemental material requests may come — respond promptly, as each round adds about a week.
Upon approval, the NG eCall conformity certificate is issued. Component certificates are valid for 3 years. Vehicle certificates align with the vehicle type's lifecycle.
2. Full Cycle Summary and Key Pitfalls
Components (modules, T-BOX, terminals): 8 to 14 weeks for the full process. Vehicles (including crash testing and road testing): 12 to 20 weeks is reasonable. Without proper pre-testing leading to repeated rework, cycles stretching past 6 months aren't uncommon.
Several pitfalls to know in advance: backup battery endurance must be designed to the 5+56+5 standard — this is a mandatory on-site audit item this year. Positioning systems must support multi-constellation fusion; relying on GPS alone won't reliably hit 3-meter accuracy. Technical files must be complete on first submission — missing materials means return, costing at least 1-2 weeks.
One more design requirement landing in 2028 but needing planning now: eCall systems must support external device access to read critical status information via the vehicle's standard diagnostic interface, plus basic voice function self-test capability. This means hardware and software interfaces must be reserved during product design. Waiting until 2028 is too late.
If your product also carries a wireless communication module, consider combining CE-RED testing with eCall testing. Sharing environmental reliability data and EMC test reports saves at least 2-3 weeks on the cycle and reduces costs. Coordinate the combined testing plan with the lab during sample submission — don't run them separately.
The most critical takeaway: don't wait until your product is nearly market-ready to start certification. NG eCall adds a road testing phase that legacy versions didn't have, making the overall cycle longer. The January 1, 2027 deadline for old certificate expiration won't be pushed back. Working backward from that date, certification must be on the agenda in the first half of 2026.
For eCall certification cycle inquiries, contact BlueAsia technical testing and certification consultant at 13534225140 (king) or king.guo@cblueasia.com
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