On 3 March 2026 the European Commission has adopted Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/481, which officially entered into force on 24 March 2026, marking a major step forward for the deployment of automated driving systems (ADS) in Europe. The new rules update the existing type-approval framework for fully automated vehicles and introduce specific provisions for Automated Valet Parking (AVP) systems.

A key milestone of the regulation is the removal of previous limitations on the number of vehicles that can be approved, effectively enabling large-series production and market uptake of AVP solutions. This transition signals a shift from pilot projects and limited deployments towards scalable, commercial applications across the EU.

The regulation builds on the EU’s broader framework for automated driving, ensuring harmonised technical requirements, safety validation procedures, and clear responsibilities for stakeholders involved in automated vehicle operations.

These new rules represent a crucial enabler for the AVP ecosystem. By providing regulatory certainty, they support the transition from research and testing to real-world deployment and scaling of automated parking services.

Automated Valet Parking is considered one of the most mature and near-term use cases of connected and automated mobility, allowing vehicles to park autonomously in designated facilities. With the new EU framework in place, stakeholders across the mobility and parking sectors are expected to accelerate innovation, interoperability, and cross-border deployment.

Overall, Regulation (EU) 2026/481 could be a key milestone for Europe’s leadership in automated mobility, unlocking new opportunities for safer, more efficient, and user-centric parking solutions.

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Sources: find the regulation here and the original article here.