What is vehicle homologation and why is it necessary?

Homologation is the process of certifying that a vehicle meets regulatory requirements for sale in specific markets. It involves demonstrating compliance with safety, emissions, noise, and other standards through official tests at accredited facilities. Different regions have different requirements (FMVSS in USA, UNECE in Europe/international, GB in China). Homologation certificates are required before commercial sale. The process includes type approval testing, documentation review, and production conformity verification.