Frequently Asked Questions

What is an FPS?

An FPS (frontal protection system) is a structure or structures fixed to the front of a vehicle above or below the bumper, which is anything designed to protect the front surface of the vehicle, weighing more than 0.5 Kg. Also known as Bull Bars, Nudge bars, A frames and so on.

Question	Answer
Is it illegal to sell bull bars in the UK?	No. As long as it has been tested an approved to the EU legislation 2005/66/EU. There is no regulation for vehicles above 3500 kg GVW
When did FPSs have to comply?	From 25th May 2007
What is the penalty for selling bars which do not have approval after 25th May 2007?	Maximum penalty is £20000 fine and or 2 years imprisonment according to the General Product Safety Regulations. DfT have indicated that this is the vehicle to control the sale of FPS’s until it introduces specific legislation to control them more strictly.
How do I know if a bull bar has been approved?	1) It must have an approval document from an EU member state which is stamped by the approval authority. The Manufacturer is obliged to provide you with this. 2) The approval document will provide a unique approval number for the bar on each vehicle. This number will look like. e11 2005/660001 3) This number must also be permanently affixed to the bar
How will I be able to tell if the approval is genuine?	The approval document must have the following bits of information Trade name of FPS Description of the FPS Method of identification of the type of FPS Location of identification of Type Name and address of manufacturer location and method of the fixing of the EC type approval number Fitting instructions must also be available
Is it illegal to buy or fit non compliant bars?	Yes, According to the DfT it is against the road traffic act to fit any part or accessory that detracts from the safety of the vehicle for any road user, including pedestrians.
Who will police the sale of non compliant bars?	Trading Standards, the Office of Fair Trading or any other Government authorised body such as The Consumer Association. and VOSA NOT the department for transport.
Will I have to remove a bar from my vehicle if it does not have an approval certificate?	If your vehicle was registered after the 25th May 2007, it should not have a non approved bar and you may need to remove it at the first MoT test. If it registered before 25th May 2007, dependant upon constructions in use and the road traffic act 1985 & 88 and subject to its llegal interpretation.
I have seen a letter from DfT which seems to say that the EU legislation has not been adopted into UK law for the aftermarket and that DfT deems it not prudent to enforce, does this mean it is illegal to sell non approved bars?	Yes As in the previous answer Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading police the General Product Safety Regulations, they are not in the remit of the DfT. The fact that the DfT have chosen not to enforce at this time does not mean that its legal to continue to sell a product which fails to meet the minimum pescribed standard of the 2005/66/EC. In addition, A more stringent pedestrain protection requirement will soon be a regulation within the requirements of Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA 2007/46/EC) evolving over all vehicles.
What if a bar fitted to my vehicle before 25th May is damaged, can I replace it?	No, it is illegal to sell you a non approved part even to replace an existing one.