Toyota Motor (TYO:7203) and other Japanese automakers will adopt a unified industry policy for identifying defective components, aiming to reduce waste and secure stable parts supplies as Middle East tensions disrupt the flow of essential materials, Nikkei Asia reported on Tuesday.
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and the Japan Auto Parts Industries Association will develop the common standards, which will be rolled out gradually for parts procurement through the end of the year, the news agency said.
Previously, suppliers discarded components due to minor cosmetic flaws such as dark specks or small scratches that did not affect performance. The new standards will allow manufacturers to accept parts that meet national requirements and have no functional or appearance-related issues.
The move is expected to correct excessive quality control measures and improve production yields, the report said.
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