Results of BPLJSKB Testing Expected to Become International Standards

Jakarta, Kompas.com - The presence of proving ground and crash test facilities of Balai Pengujian Laik Jalan dan Sertifikasi Kendaraan Bermotor (BPLJSKB) in Bekasi, West Java, is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global automotive industry. With these facilities, Indonesia is anticipated to have an international-standard vehicle testing centre so that testing results can be recognised by destination export markets. ‘In the ASEAN region, there are plans for regulatory harmonisation through the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) aimed at avoiding technical barriers,’ Nandi told Kompas.com recently. The ASEAN MRA is an agreement among Southeast Asian countries to recognise each other’s standards and testing results for certain products. Accordingly, the presence of the BPLJSKB proving ground and crash test facilities is seen as a strategic move for Indonesia. The proving ground facility is used to test various aspects of vehicles, from performance, safety, durability to driving comfort. Meanwhile, the crash test facility functions to assess vehicle safety during a collision. As an example, TMMIN previously faced export hurdles to Vietnam at the start of 2018 due to changes in import regulations for motor vehicles. At that time, Vietnam implemented new rules through Decree No. 116/2017/ND-CP tightening vehicle imports. Because of the lack of alignment between regulations and recognition of vehicle testing documents, exports of several Toyota models from Indonesia, including the Fortuner, were delayed for several months. The issue was resolved after the Indonesian and Vietnamese governments agreed on VTA documents recognised by both countries. Since then, Toyota Indonesia’s exports to Vietnam returned to normal.