Cooperation on Standards for Safe and Clean Cars: GPQI at IAA India Day

Government and industry representatives from Germany and India discussed their partnership in the automotive sector during the India Day at the International Automotive Exhibition (IAA) on 13 September 2019 in Frankfurt. Torge Wolters from the Global Project Quality Infrastructure (GPQI) gave a presentation on the recent study "Automotive and Component Trade with India: Insights on standards, homologation, and imports". It was conducted in collaboration with the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and gives recommendations on increasing bilateral trade through harmonising regulations and standards in the automotive sector.

Arvind Sawant, Minister of the Indian Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises (MoHI&PE), highlighted the importance of sustainable mobility solutions in India which is about to become the third largest vehicle market in the world. Different mobility solutions, including public transport, electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as traditional combustion engines would need to be combined, speakers from Indian and German automotive companies emphasised. Industry representatives pointed out that harmonised standards and regulations for emissions and safety support a closer economic cooperation and the protection of the environment.

Company representatives from both countries would appreciate a predictable and long-term policy framework from the Indian government which contributes to attractive trade and investment conditions for mobility solutions. Within the Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure, both countries therefore cooperate on common standards for charging of electric vehicles, as well as for safety and emissions. As the study outlines, such harmonised standards would support the adoption of electric vehicles.

The 12th IAA India Day was organised by VDA, the Indian Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC).

India and Germany cooperate within the Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure between the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the Indian Ministry for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. The Working Group has the goal to reduce technical barriers to trade and strengthen product safety through political and technical dialogue of relevant ministries and regulators. Concerning the cooperation in the automotive industry, Indian partners include the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the MoHI&PE.