European Directive 94/20/EC became mandatory under European Law from the 1st January 1998 and was implemented in the United Kingdom on the 1st of August 1998.  This means that only towbars which have been type approved to 94/20/EC can be fitted to light passenger vehicles first registered on or after 1st August 1998.

European Directive 94/20/EC also specifies the dimensions, location and clearances of the 50mm diameter towball.  The centre of the towball should be between 350mm and 420mm above ground level when the vehicle is correctly laden.

The purpose of European Directive 94/20/EC is to provide a level playing field throughout the European Community and allow free trade of motor vehicles and their components in all member states.  As long as the towbar is 94/20/EC type approved the end user will know that it has been manufactured to a known technical and quality standard irrespective of where the towbar is manufactured.