CITA Workshop in Tokyo: New Technologies in Vehicle Inspection
On 28 May 2025, the CITA community gathered in Tokyo, Japan, for a high-level workshop focused on New Technologies and Vehicle Inspection. The event was hosted by the Japan Automobile Standards Internationalization Center (JASIC) in conjunction with the 39th meeting of the Informal Working Group on Periodical Technical Inspection (IWG on PTI), under the auspices of UNECE.
Adapting Vehicle Inspection to Technological Advancements
As vehicle technologies continue evolving toward greater automation and connectivity, the workshop provided a timely platform to address how these advancements impact roadworthiness and inspection regimes worldwide. Discussions emphasized the growing need to ensure vehicle performance remains reliable throughout a vehicle’s life cycle—even as vehicles are increasingly operated across borders and under diverse regulatory frameworks.
CITA Executive Director Eduard Fernández moderated the session, guiding a series of insightful presentations that drew from both global perspectives and national experiences.
Key Highlights from the Agenda:
- Mr. Takizawa Fumiya (NALTEC) opened with an overview of Japan’s regulatory approach to automotive safety and its response to advanced technologies.
- Mr. François Guichard (UNECE) presented the vision of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29), emphasizing the global dimension of vehicle compliance.
- Experts from KOTSA (Korea Transportation Safety Authority) shared recent developments in Korea:
- Mr. Sang Woong Park discussed cross-border cooperation with Mongolia.
- Mr. Ki Seong Noh outlined updates to Korea’s PTI system.
- Mr. Yong Kook Kim presented on diagnostic tool development for vehicle inspection.
- Mr. Alejandro Checa (CITA Technical Director) explored the limitations of on-board diagnostics and the need for comprehensive risk analysis to support effective inspection practices.
- Mrs. Melissa Archer (UNECE) concluded with updates on the SCUV project and SCUNV Informal Working Group activities, offering insights into future directions for used vehicle regulation.
The following day, participants had the opportunity to visit a state-of-the-art inspection facility, hosted by CITA member NALTEC, to witness firsthand how Japan integrates technology into PTI practices.