AMECA Announces Accreditation to Automotive Research and Testing Center (ARTC) For Testing Automotive Lighting Equipment

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2004 -- AMECA (Automotive Manufacturer Equipment Compliance Agency) announces it has extended accreditation to ARTC to test automotive Lighting Equipment.

Only technically proficient, professional laboratories which maintain a record keeping system with a calibration program and have demonstrated the ability test to every aspect to the relevant safety standard are granted AMECA accreditation. AMECA requires every laboratory to establish and utilize a documented calibration program to assure the required degree of accuracy in measurements. The documented accuracy of all measurement instrument standards remain traceable to primary standards maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the United States of America or the national physical laboratory maintaining such standards in the country in which the laboratory is located.

Through the accreditation process, ARTC has clearly demonstrated that it has the equipment, personnel and appropriate qualifications to produce accurate, repeatable and technically valid test data to meet the rigorous requirements of the AMECA accreditation process.

About ARTC

The Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC) has been established by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan, according to the Automotive Industry Development Policy approved by the Executive Yuan on March 15, 1985, with a view to pooling the strength of the Ministry of Transportation & Communications, the Environmental Protection Administration and automotive enterprises. The purpose for the funding of the ARTC is to assist the government in stipulating and managing regulations and standards, and thus provide internationally recognized inspection, testing and certification services for vehicles and key components, along with technical R&D and product improvement consultation. The center thus protects the safety on driving, and stimulates the automotive industry to further development.

About AMECA

The Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency, Inc. (AMECA) is the agent for various states of the United States to provide equipment compliance services. The AMECA program is the only program of its type in the United States. This Equipment Compliance Program is centralized, one-stop, and notifies government, industry and the general public about compliant motor vehicle safety equipment. Our Notice of Equipment Compliance is accepted as evidence of compliance with the regulatory requirements with our representative jurisdictions.

AMECA maintains a listing of items that have been tested and currently comply with the applicable standards. Called the "Compliance List of Automotive Safety Devices," this listing is updated quarterly and is available free as an Adobe PDF document distributed via email. The international "List of Acceptable Plastics for Optical Lenses and Reflectors Used on Motor Vehicles" is also maintained by AMECA. This document is updated twice a year is also available free as an Adobe PDF document distributed via email. To receive your free copy of the either document send an email request to info@ameca.org.