Car Safety Standards at Odds as Regulators Clash in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD —Two key government bodies, the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and the Engineering Development Board (EDB), are at odds over the legal authority to certify safety and quality standards for vehicles assembled in Pakistan, as reported by Dawn.
This development has reignited concerns about Pakistan’s long-standing automotive quality control gap. Neither agency currently operates a local vehicle testing laboratory, forcing manufacturers to send auto parts abroad for certification.
PSQCA Moves to Establish International-Type Approval
The PSQCA Board recently approved a “Type Approval Scheme” to align local vehicle safety with international automotive benchmarks. Under this framework, all locally assembled vehicles must be tested at internationally accredited labs until Pakistan develops its facilities.
The board also greenlit amendments to the Pakistan Conformity Assessment Rules, 2011, and authorized Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with foreign testing organizations to improve regulatory credibility.
According to the PSQCA, the initiative reflects Pakistan’s commitment to the UNECE WP.29 vehicle safety framework, already adopted by over 60 countries.
EDB Pushes Back, Assemblers Raise Cost Concerns
However, the Engineering Development Board (EDB), traditionally responsible for regulating local automotive manufacturing, has contested PSQCA’s new role, citing overlap and confusion.
Automobile assemblers and auto parts manufacturers have also expressed frustration, calling the dual authority inefficient and costly.
“The absence of local testing labs means every part must be sent abroad for verification. Doing this twice — once for PSQCA and once for EDB — is impractical,” said Shehryar Qadir, Senior Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM).
He added that international testing can cost between $20,000 and $100,000 per certification, which raises production costs and delays local vehicle rollouts.
Industry Urges One Regulatory Framework
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had earlier flagged many vehicles sold in Pakistan lacking basic safety features, including airbags, child locks, and efficient braking systems.
Industry experts argue that safety, affordability, and consumer trust will continue to suffer until both PSQCA and EDB align on a unified automotive certification system.
“Pakistan doesn’t have its own car brands — all models are international collaborations with access to world-class testing abroad,” Mr. Qadir noted. “The solution is not duplication, but harmonization.”
The Road Ahead
The automotive sector awaits a federal decision to designate one central authority for car safety certification. Experts say such clarity could accelerate progress toward localized testing labs and internationally recognized safety standards — an urgent need as Pakistan expands into EVs and hybrid vehicles.