ausauto News Article

First aftermarket parts through new UK certification scheme

A week of rigorous testing at Thatcham's research centre has resulted in the first aftermarket parts being successfully certified under Thatcham and TUV Rheinland's new joint parts certification scheme.

The new scheme enables parts to be tested on a global platform more quickly, increasing the market penetration and promoting a greater volume of available certified parts at competitive prices for repairers and insurers to specify.

As a result of the tests, Tong Yong, one of the world's largest suppliers of plastic parts became the first manufacturer to satisfy the requirements of the new co-operative approach to parts certification

Testing of parts from this parts supplier and other major names such as Gordon and TKY will continue at Thatcham whilst testing of parts from other pan-European and global supply sources has also commenced in Italy with engineers from the TÃœV Rheinland group.

Dean Lander, Thatcham's accreditation m described the test as a momentous step forward in a unique co-operation between two globally recognised organisations working together to provide suitable independent certification for crash replacement parts.

"Together we work with the biggest and best suppliers in this sector and we are confident this is just the start of a very successful program," he said.