The increased use of remanufactured products around the world is accelerating as organizations come to understand the quality, value and sustainability benefits of remanufactured goods. In the meantime, remanufacturing is gaining greater awareness with governments.
Yet, for years, there has been the lack of a common understanding within the international automotive remanufacturing sector.
To enable the remanufacturing industry to speak with one voice, and to do away with some of the confusion, six of the world’s leading associations within this sector have reached a common understanding of basic definitions associated with sustainable manufacturing.
Definitions
The agreed upon definitions are:
- Remanufacturing Process. Remanufacturing is a standardized industrial process by which cores are returned to same-as-new, or better, condition and performance. The process is in line with specific technical specifications, including engineering, quality and testing standards. The process yields fully warranted products.
An industrial process is an established process which is fully documented and capable to fulfil the requirements established by the remanufacturer.
- Core. A core is a previously sold, worn or non-functional product or part intended for the remanufacturing process. During reverse logistics, a core is protected, handled and identified for remanufacturing to avoid damage and to preserve its value.
A core is not waste or scrap and is not intended to be reused before remanufacturing.
- Remanufactured Part. A remanufactured part fulfills a function which is at least equivalent compared to the original part. It is restored from an existing part (core), using standardized industrial processes in line with specific technical specifications.
A remanufactured part is given the same warranty as a new part and it clearly identifies the part as a remanufactured part and states the remanufacturer.
The Six
The associations involved were:
- European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), www.clepa.eu.
- Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA), MERA.org.
- Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), www.apra.org.
- Automotive Parts Remanufacturers National Association (ANRAP), www.anrap.org.br.
- European Organization for the Engine Remanufacture (FIRM), http://firm-org.eu.
- Remanufacture Committee of China Association of Automobile Manufactures (CPRA), no website.
