New automobile safety standards: PAMA concerned over not being invited to meeting

KARACHI: Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has expressed concerns over not being invited to a critical stakeholders meeting on adopting new automobile safety standards.

In a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), PAMA referred to the meeting to be held on September 14 (today) on auto safety standards in the mandatory list of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).

PAMA said despite being a key stakeholder, it was not invited to this important meeting. However, the industry body outlined several critical points for consideration at the meeting.

The letter said that PAMA agreed with MoST's position from an August 2022 meeting on standards adoption. However, despite reminders, neither PSQCA nor the ministry acted on those minutes and their participation in TCs or NSCs, was not ensured in a legal manner as stipulated in the minutes.

Regarding approval by CCLC, PAMA said that they have been approaching the ministry with a request to share the details of the reported approval; however, all their pleas went unanswered and they were still in the dark about the matter concerning the industry carrying foreign investment in billions and staking millions of jobs.

Furthermore, the letter said that the auto industry follows Auto Policy 2021-26 which adopts UNECE standards which is an ongoing process and being adopted by local automakers.

It suggested MoST and PSQCA should first build up technical capabilities and infrastructure for testing before taking on a major role in standards regulation and offered to provide further inputs if needed.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023