First aftermarket parts through new joint 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 TÜV Rheinland’s new joint parts certification scheme.

The new scheme, which was launched in September 08, 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.

This week, 7 parts from one of the world’s largest suppliers of plastic parts – Tong Yang – were certified, becoming the first manufacturer to satisfy the requirements of the new co-operative approach to parts certification and in turn confirming the enhanced global reach of this scheme.

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 TÜV Rheinland group.

Dean Lander, Thatcham’s Accreditation Manager, said “This is 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”.