The International Motor Manufacturers Organization (OICA) agreed Friday to establish global technical standards for auto parts as early as 2002, officials of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Friday.
After a two-day conference held in Tokyo by the OICA's Harmonization Steering Committee, the participants decided to form project teams to draw up details of global technical standards on auto components including wipers, washers, seat belts and glass, they said.
The OICA is comprised of 40 automotive industry associations worldwide.
In addition, the OICA will lobby member groups' governments to set up international standards on automobile safety and exhaust emissions. These standards currently vary from country to country.
The 1998 United Nations agreement concerning global technical regulations for automobiles and auto parts is likely to go into effect in November, which will help facilitate the move, they said.
The agreement, a framework to formulate global technical standards, was adopted in June 1998 by U.N. member countries. Prior to its enforcement, however, it needed ratification by eight governments.
Presently, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, the United States and the European Union have ratified the agreement.
With such international standards, automakers and auto parts suppliers would be able to use common components and reduce their manufacturing costs.