With the development of engine building in individual countries, technical instructions arose indicating in which direction it is necessary to develop the design of vehicles with an internal combustion engine in order to ensure the safety of operation, passengers and the environment. It is possible that these instructions in individual states were initially very different from each other. This slowed down the import and export of vehicles, as vehicles had to be adapted for each country according to local regulations.
In an effort to simplify the situation within the framework of the European Economic Commission (EHC) The UN bodies have come into being with the mission of bringing together various national regulations and thereby making it easier, simpler and cheaper to approve imported vehicles with an internal combustion engine. The result of the implementation of these aspirations was the so-called Geneva Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Homologation of Equipment and Components of Vehicles with an Internal Combustion Engine. States that have entered into the agreement (and Czechoslovakia was one of the first), undertook to issue a permit to operate in their own countries only to those vehicles that meet the unified requirements of the UNECE. Therefore, vehicles and their equipment must undergo an official check before they go on sale (homologation) in an authorized testing station of any member state of the agreement. The protocols issued are mutually recognized. The test stations of individual countries have their own number, which is placed after the letter E and is placed in a circle with it. Number 8 is assigned to the Czech Republic. The homological designation must be present on each product. The numbers following the introductory designation refer to unified regulations.
The Czech Republic has incorporated most of the UNECE guidelines and Echo guidelines into the national instructions. The number of homologous symbols affixed is evidence by which it can be judged how safe the vehicle is in terms of operation and in relation to the environment. Like every car manufacturer and "ŠKODA - JSC Automobile Plant", strives to ensure that its products comply with as many UNECE regulations and Echo guidelines as possible.
UNECE instructions, and for the most part equivalent EXO instructions, can be distinguished either by the testing station reviewing their implementation or by the guarantor ordering the tests.
Tests whether the Škoda Octavia as a whole satisfies the UNECE regulations were carried out by the Prague Institute for the Study of Internal Combustion Vehicles (UVMV). It evaluates, for example, highchairs and similar components fitted to the vehicle individually or additionally, at the request of the manufacturers of these products.
Homologation of lighting devices is carried out in the Czech Republic by the Electrotechnical Research Institute (EZU). UNECE instructions are identified by ECE R and a number corresponding to the part or subassembly and the test station instruction. For example: ECE R. 10 - wiring interference suppression, ECE R 83 - exhaust emissions, ECE R 8 - halogen main lamps, etc.
Compliance with EXO guidelines (European Economic Society) on the mentioned type of car was tested by the German research institute TUM. The Institute of Rubber Technology and Testing is responsible for testing the elastic elements in accordance with ECE R 30 (IGTT), i.e. Institute of Technology and Testing of Elastic Elements. Škoda cars of the Octavia range comply with 42 UNECE regulations and 45 EXO regulations, in other words, all regulations to which the Czech Republic has adhered and which relate to passenger cars. In view of the too great variety and quantity, no description of individual signs is given here.