Quality counts

“Counterfeiting and lack of regulation in the remanufacturing industry are global problems. We need to work with those in power to protect the consumer.”
François Augnet

Situation

• Fake goods cost the global auto industry €5-10 billion per year
• NO rules governing remanufactured parts 

Case study: On an anonymous visit to a scrap yard TRW bought a recovered airbag – a pyrotechnic device is considered dangerous without testing due to the risk of explosion.

TRW’s mission

• Engage authorities 
• Identify risk areas
• Inform of consequences
• Develop regulations for consumer protection

Facts

Regulations are stringent at first assembly. However, replacement parts are open to the abuse of counterfeiting and remanufactured aftermarket products are not regulated.

There are no rules governing quality or testing of either group, whilst TRW are stringent in their remanufacturing processes, counterfeiters or poor quality remanufacturing could:

• Turn vehicles into death traps. A single part could cause an accident and loss of life
• With no R&D, parts are tested for the first time in a real accident
• Reduced lifetime. Reduced performance. Excessive fuel consumption
• Black market harms economic growth
  

What TRW is doing

• Against counterfeiting - 2-D label to identify a product’s origin. 95% of TRW’s product will be covered by end 2011
• TRW and other parts suppliers are engaged in a campaign to create
  legislation, which would guarantee safety requirements for remanufactured
  parts to protect the end consumer
  

“The medical and food industries are regulated to protect the consumer. Our industry isn’t. Unless we act, it will continue to be open to abuse. TRW is confident about the quality of its parts - we are driven by the need to protect our customer, mechanics, drivers and pedestrians from the danger of counterfeit and sub standard parts.”
Francois Augnet