SAE Receives United Nations Accreditation

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 15 -- The Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE) has recently been granted Special Consultative status by the United Nations as a Non Government Organization (NGO) to participate in sessions of its leading council overseeing the development of international vehicle regulations.

The designation came from the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) based in New York City. This status provides SAE a formal seat at the regular sessions of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (Working Party 29 or WP29) and its subsidiary bodies, which meet in Geneva, Switzerland.

"We are extremely pleased that the U.N. has seen the necessity of SAE being formally involved in the global harmonization of automotive standards," said Doug Read, Managing Director of SAE's Washington, D.C. office. "This culminates a three-year-long application process and guarantees that SAE's voice will be heard during all future WP29 deliberations."

Since 1999, SAE had been represented at WP29 meetings - held three times annually - at the special invitation of the Secretariat of WP29. Throughout the application process, SAE continued to provide technical and other substantive input to the development of international regulations. "This accreditation is a major milestone for SAE's acceptance as an integral player in the international regulatory community and a strong recognition of the importance of SAE standards worldwide," Read added.

The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP29), previously known as the Working Party on the Construction of Vehicles, was established in 1952. Its initial focus was on standardization of regulations within the European community. However, the increased globalization of the mobility profession brought about a growing need for international harmonization. In 1998, the United States proposed the adoption of a new Global Agreement; to date, 21 countries have signed onto this agreement.

"SAE's United Nations accreditation is timely and critical," said Ray Morris, SAE Executive Vice President. "SAE, with its vast network of internationally recognized experts, can provide invaluable technical input in to the discussions that take place at WP29 and its subsidiaries."