PAS 2012 – WAVCA

WAVCA‘s PAS Certification Scheme

WAVCA offers a certification scheme to the two PAS Documents that we sponsor through BSI. The two documents cover the “Manufacturing Requirements” and “Retail” of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles.

Companies wishing to receive certification must demonstrate compliance to our independent technical services through documentation and inspections, and the Technical Service also gathers dimensions of the vehicle in an impartial and consistent way using a specified measurement gauge.

The technical service partners are chosen due to their expertise in assessing compliance with standards and requirements in the automotive field, they are ISO 17020 accredited and are nominated technical services for the UK or EU members states.

We maintain a public facing list of WAV’s and companies that comply with PAS part 1 available Here and PAS Part 2 Here , as well a private database containing key dimensions and data abut the vehicles, this is shared with our commercial partners who wish to be able to compare the dimensions reliably of WAVs and be assured that they are buying vehicles that comply with the PAS documents.
The process for obtaining a PAS accreditation is described in the implementation guide

PAS Accreditation Page

What is a PAS

A Publicly Available Specification (PAS) is a sponsored fast-track standard driven by the needs of the client organisations and
developed according to guidelines, set out by BSI. Key stakeholders are brought together to collaboratively produce a BSI-endorsed
PAS that has all the functionality of a British Standard for the purposes of creating management systems, product benchmarks and codes of practice.
After two years the PAS is reviewed and a decision is made as to whether it should be taken forward to become a formal British Standard.
– British Standards Institute

What is PAS 2012-1:2025 and PAS 2012-2:2025

Starting in 2008, WAVCA has sponsored two PAS documents, one pertaining to Manufacturing and one to Retailing WAV’s, they were first published on 30th April 2012, and reviewed in 2015, 2019 and 2025.

Their Full titles are;
PAS 2012-1:2025 M1 vehicles for the carriage of one or more passengers seated in wheelchairs – Part 1Manufacturing requirements. Specification

https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/m1-vehicles-for-the-carriage-of-one-or-more-passengers-seated-in-wheelchairs-manufacturing-requirements-specification/standard

And

PAS 2012-2:2025 M1 vehicles for the carriage of one or more passengers seated in wheelchairs – Part 2: Retail requirements. Specification

https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/m1-vehicles-for-the-carriage-of-one-or-more-passengers-seated-in-wheelchairs-retail-requirements-specification/standard

Why Have We Done This?

The PAS documents are Intended to be used alongside Type Approval, covering items that are not considered in type approval but are things the PAS steering group has decided need to be specified.

The PAS documents aims to only specify things that are important and not easily discernible to the end user and aims to not stifle free consumer choice

What is the benefit to the WAV User?

When purchasing a WAV, we recommend that purchases seek a PAS Part 1 certified vehicle, from a PAS Part 2 certified retailer, but why?

The manufacturer will have demonstrated to the independent technical services that the manufacturing process, design and components fitted will comply with the requirements in the PAS Part 1 document, this is especially critical if you are intending to transport a wheelchair weighing above 85kg, as PAS Part 1 specifies additional strength testing of the tie downs for Wheelchairs weighing up to 200kg.

The retailer will have demonstrated to the independent technical services that they have a documented demonstration process for showing the key features of the WAV to you, as well as a suitability assessment process for determining if the WAV is suitable for you, as well as committing to providing you with a standard set of information about your vehicle.

PAS Information

PAS Accredited WAVs – Click Here
Apply for a PAS Accreditation Number – Click here

Useful Documents –
Implementation Guide – Click here

PAS 2012-2019 Technical Interpretations

Technical Interpretation Number	Title	Effective Date	Applicability	Status	Link
35	Rated Capacity Markings on Ramps	03/12/2025	All Editions	Active	Link
33	Side Guards	22/04/2025	PAS 2012-1:2019 and earlier	Active	Link
32	Ramps Composed of Multiple Parts	22/04/2025	PAS 2012-1:2019 and earlier	Active	Link
31	Horizontal position of applied load from Annex D	13/10/2023	All Editions	Active	Click here
29	Occupant Effective Anchorages	31/05/2023	All Editions	Active	Click Here
28	Destructive testing	07/01/2022	All Editions	Active	Click Here
27	Test Method Deviation	31/08/2022	All Editions	Active	Click Here
26	Operating and Safety Instructions	25/04/2022	All Editions	Active	Click Here
25	Base Vehicle eHandbooks and amendments	31/08/2022	All Editions	Active	Click Here
24	ISOFIX anchorages removed and base vehicle handbook amendments	18/03/2022	All Editions	Active	Click Here
23	Marking of powered ramp controls	14/05/2021	All Editions	Active	Click Here
22	Non-VCA testing	18/05/2021	All Editions	Active	Click Here
21	Remote witnessing of PAS work during Covid pandemic	27/04/2021	All Editions	Active	Click Here
20	ISOFIX anchorage ECE Regulation compliance	27/04/2021	All Editions	Active	Click Here
19	Powered ramp controls	27/04/2021	All Editions	Active	Click Here
18	Access to secondary exit from wheelchair space	27/04/2021	All Editions	Active	Click Here
17	Multiple winch line attachment	27/04/2021	All Editions	Active	Click Here
16	Annex c dynamic test pass fail criteria for wheelchairs over 85kg	25/09/2019	All Editions	Active	Click Here
15	Annex C tests using ECE Reg 17 pulse	02/05/2017	All Editions	Active	Click Here
14	Isofix anchorages on coach-built seats	02/05/2017	All Editions	Active	Click Here
13	Winch safe working load	02/05/2017	All Editions	Active	Click Here
12	Provisions of approval route in the product information	17/11/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
11	Requirements for optional winches	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
10	Ground clearance for mud flaps	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
9	Witnessing of heavy wheelchair WTORS tests	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
8	Witnessing of winch line pull test	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
7	SWL character size on tail lifts	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
6	Eyeline height measuring procedure	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
5	Positioning of accessibility gauge for gradient measurements	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
4	Calibrated inclinometers	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
3	Minimum dimensions for secondary doors to wheelchair space	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
2	Footrest contact with ramp limiting max access dimensions	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here
1	Laser Adjustment	05/10/2016	All Editions	Active	Click Here