The European New Car Assessment Programme – Euro NCAP
Given that there had been no significant change in car safety legislation for almost 20 years the UK Government encouraged the establishment of Euro NCAP in 1997 to provide motoring consumers with an independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. Based on similar programmes already running in America and Australia, this independent consumer led programme is now backed by five European Governments, the European Commission and motoring and consumer organisations in every EU country.
Since its launch, Euro NCAP has tested nearly 200 different makes and models of cars. Some have been re-tested after manufactures have made changes to improve crash performances. Euro NCAP has rapidly become a catalyst for encouraging fast and significant safety improvements in particular to secondary safety design in new cars and its star rating system is widely recognised by consumers and manufacturers.
Contact: www.euroncap.com.