Secretary General of GCC Standardization Organization Nabil Ameen Molla (fourth from left), cuts the ceremonial ribbon, assisted by Stephen Schmitt, Chief International Officer, member of Executive Board of Management, TUV Rheinland AG, and other executives during the inauguration of the TUV Rheinland AG's Product Safety Test Center in Jeddah Saturday. Saleh Fareed Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — The first of its kind automotive spare part and most advanced electrical lab in the Middle East were inaugurated Saturday in the south of Jeddah Port. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Secretary General of GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) Nabil Ameen Molla, representatives from Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), Saudi Customs and Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), aside from delegates from the private to sector. Stephen Schmitt, Chief International Officer, member of Executive Board of Management, TUV Rheinland AG, said “the opening of the Product Safety Test Center in Saudi Arabia for testing electrical and automotive spare parts is another opportunity to expand our business for our customers and we are proud to establish such a center here in Jeddah.” Meanwhile Andreas Hoefer, chief regional officer of TUV Reheinland or India-Middle East-Africa region, added “there is a vast scope and potential for cars and electrical products testing in Saudi Arabia and the establishment of our laboratory will provide independent testing services so that the consumers can rely on products tested by TUV Rheinland.” Hoefer said the automotive spare parts testing laboratory will be the first accredited testing center in the GCC region. “this milestone would not be reached without the guidance and support of MOCI Saudi customers and SASO. We are sure that the current well-coordinated team work of MOCI Saudi Custom and SASO will achieve the ultimate goal of consumer safety” he said. Schmitt highlighted the strong trade relationship between Saudi Arabia and Germany and praised of the Saudi government for its recent economic initiatives to ensure the safety of its consumers. “ Just like any other countries counterfeit and fake products is a major issue here in Saudi Arabia and will be very delighted to contribute with Saudi authorities to combat this issue.” He said. He pointed out that Saudi Arabia ‘s automotive imports are forecast to grow at CAGR of 9.6 percent over the next 4 years, reaching over one million vehicles by 2015. He said “ this growth demands resources for ensuring the safety of the vehicles as well as the spare parts for the vehicles and hope we play a vital role in ensuring the road safety.” Molla said “the government of Saudi Arabia is given its full attention for such laboratories in order to protect its consumers and we will not allow any company to practice such private labs here in the Kingdom after the approval from the Saudi Accreditation Committee, many national and international companies have entered the market to establish testing labs but TUV Rheinland is considered as one of the first companies to establish testing labs.” He noted that in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and in coordination with Saudi Customs, the lab checks the samples that have be withdrawn from imported shipments to the Kingdom before releasing it in the market. “ The objective of this testing is to assure the safety of products by complying with the requirements of Saudi Standards,” he added.
