Whole of Vehicle Marking gets the TQA Treatment

Thatcham are announcing a new criterion for the certification of third party Whole of Vehicle Marking Systems and components within its TQA (Thatcham Quality Accreditation) program.

The new TQA criterion establishes standards for the robustness of all parts of a marking system, namely

environmental durability of marking technologies such as labels and etching,
microdots and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags
resistance to attack methods used to de-identify vehicles
installation of the markings and data recording on specific vehicle types
database security and the associated liaison with law enforcement agencies

Whole of Vehicle Marking Systems are typically used to identify passenger cars, light vans and trucks and are an important consideration within Thatcham’s globally recognised New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA). The new TQA criterion will also drive wider use of quality marking systems on motorcycles and construction plant, assisting UK police forces in accurately identifying and where required recovering stolen vehicles.

Dean Lander, Thatcham’s Accreditation Manager states: “We have incorporated a criterion for the Whole of Vehicle Marking which supports the needs of the industry in combating vehicle crime and strives to enhance the current systems offered by vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers. All of Thatcham’s standard accreditation procedures apply with relation to rigorous testing of components and full systems, along with assessments of manufacturing controls and quality systems. We are pleased to state that we have the full support of the major suppliers within the industry and have already accredited marking technologies from companies such as Retainagroup and TESA.”

Retainagroup’s Managing Director, Wendy Rowe added: "Retainagroup have always believed in the value of robust, eye-readable security marking which allows the identification of a vehicle in real time on a 24-hour basis. We welcome the introduction of the TQA criterion for Whole of Vehicle Marking and are delighted that four of our products have already achieved accreditation."

The introduction of the new standard for Whole of Vehicle Marking systems and components is timely, coinciding as it does with the impending launch of Thatcham’s new star rating scheme for motorcycles (June 2008). This star rating scheme, which will draw on the results of the motorcycle New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA), will assess the security levels on all new motorcycles, concentrating on 3 main areas inclusive of mechanical, electronic and identification. The new standard will support the motorcycle NVSA, providing an objective assessment of the parts marking system, which has been used to contribute to the level of security on a particular motorcycle.