Pakistan has introduced mandatory quality and safety standards for all vehicles, including imports and locally manufactured units, to improve road safety and ensure environmental compliance.

The Ministry of Industries and Production has implemented these standards for the first time, covering both imported and domestically produced vehicles.

According to notifications issued by the Engineering Development Board (EDB), all new and used imported vehicles must comply with WP-29 standards, a framework established by the United Nations World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations.

The standards cover braking systems, airbags, seat belts, lighting, and crash protection in the event of frontal, side, or pole impacts. They also include requirements for child restraints, head restraints, tyre safety, steering systems, vehicle glazing, noise, and exhaust emissions.

For electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, the regulations address battery safety, charging systems, and high-voltage protection.

The decision, ratified by the federal cabinet on the recommendation of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), requires importers to obtain pre-shipment inspection certificates from approved agencies such as JAAI in Japan or KTL in Korea, confirming that vehicles are roadworthy and free from odometer tampering or structural damage.

Post-shipment inspections will be conducted at designated centres in Pakistan, and the same standards will apply to locally assembled vehicles.

Automakers must comply by 30th June 2026, after which the EDB may revoke the licences of non-compliant companies.

Industry representatives have expressed concerns. Amir Allawala of Pakistan association of automotive parts and accessories manufacturers (PAAPAM) questioned whether the EDB has the technical capacity to regulate these standards, noting that reliance on foreign laboratories for certification could increase costs and affect foreign exchange reserves.