Approval for heat treatment

Automotive Technologies Limited (ATL) has gained Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) approval for the heat treatment of vehicles in Japan.

The company has added the treatment in the wake of the recent stink-bug crisis impacting shipping vehicles and machinery from Japan, and likely changes to the import health standard (IHS).

Nigel Grindall, ATL’s chief executive officer, says: “Having robust and efficient processes in Japan will be critical to meeting the required level of biosecurity control the MPI is seeking under the current revision to the IHS.”

“In preparation for the high-risk season of September through to May, ATL has made a significant investment in installing heat-treatment facilities across all of its operations in Japan.

“Coupled with increased staffing levels at all sites, this will ensure ATL is able to process increased volumes of vehicles should it be required giving our customers and stakeholders confidence that, as far as ATL is concerned, it’s business as usual regarding meeting our biosecurity and volume requirements going forward.

“While the market is aware these new biosecurity measures will increase costs, we are still finalising what these are.”