The SA Bureau of Standards and the SA Tyre Manufacturing Conference have reached an agreement on a number of issues related to the testing and homologation of tyres.
The SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) and the SA Tyre Manufacturing Conference have reached an agreement on a number of issues related to the testing and homologation of tyres.
CARtoday.com reported on Tuesday that the SA Tyre Manufacturers Conference, which represents the major manufacturers in South Africa, had suspended the payment of statutory levies to the SABS until the body “demonstrated its ability to deliver service to the industry and consumers”.
In response, Eugene Julies, the chief executive of the SABS, said earlier this week that the tyre manufactures would not be allowed to unilaterally act in complete disregard of what was effectively a tax levy to ensure consumer safety and health.
The tyre manufacturing industry has, following a meeting between the SABS and the tyre body, agreed to “make available to SABS inspectors the facilities to test the production of the local manufacturers,” said on Thursday.
The SABS, in turn, would develop the database for monitoring and evaluating local and foreign production for compliance.
Furthermore, the parties would together seek government support and funding to establish an independent test facility to enable South Africa to meet its obligations under the a UN agreement for vehicle components and tyres.
The SABS told the agreement with the tyre manufacturers was historic in that it had for the first time been reduced to writing via a memorandum of understanding which clearly set out each party’s obligations and responsibilities.
“Signing of this agreement thus circumvents the drastic action contemplated by the president of SABS, Eugene Julies, to suspend sales of tyres to protect public safety, and simultaneously satisfies the requirements of the industry for better co-operation and increased surveillance of the market,” the SABS said.