Yes, the steering wheel must be type approved and bear a type approval stamp or bear an equivalent approval stamp with documentary evidence to prove the wheel meets type approval standards.

 

The steering wheel must also have an energy absorption feature such as a collapsible boss.

 

A type approved steering wheel bearing the type approval stamp can still fail IVA if it is found that not all parts that came with the wheel have been used, such as if a collapsible boss was swapped out with a non collapsible boss.

 

It can be assumed that if you are using the steering column and steering wheel from your donor vehicle (say BMW 3 Series) then the items are type approved (but even this gets into grey territory if the wheel has an airbag)

 

If your wheel does not bear a type approval mark then it must meet certain radius tests as well as not be able to catch the drivers clothing or jewellery during normal movement of the wheel.

 

In general the steering wheel rim must be made from material that when deformed (ie impact) will not splinter or fragment.

 

The centre boss should either be padded or below the level of the rim.

 

Bolts and screws that fix the steering wheel to the steering boss should sit flush on the wheel or if exposed will have to undergo a radius test.