About IAF
The International Automotive Federation (IAF) is an independent global authority guiding the safe, sustainable, and intelligent evolution of mobility. It brings together manufacturers, suppliers, regulators, and professionals under a harmonized framework for standards and accreditation.
IAF was established to address the urgent need for international alignment in automotive oversight. With increasing vehicle complexity, emerging technologies, and global markets, IAF aims to streamline evaluations, reduce duplication, and foster responsible innovation.
IAF is a young yet rapidly growing next generation federation, registered in the United States and officially recognized in many countries worldwide.
IAF develops international automotive standards, accredits testing and certification bodies, fosters global dialogue, and enhances public trust through transparency. It also invests in future-oriented research and supports an inclusive member network.
IAF’s standards focus on critical domains such as vehicle safety, cybersecurity, sustainability and emissions, and smart mobility systems. These standards are performance-based, globally aligned, and designed for real-world implementation.
IAF is governed by an elected Board of Directors and supported by thematic committees. Daily operations are managed by a professional Secretariat led by the Executive Director.
IAF membership is open to manufacturers, suppliers, research institutions, certification bodies, civil society groups, and individual professionals. The federation values diversity and active contribution to standards development.
Through clear labeling, QR-verifiable certifications, and transparent communication, IAF ensures consumers can easily understand and trust the safety and sustainability credentials of certified products and services.
IAF’s revenue sources include membership contributions, accreditation and licensing fees, event sponsorships, research grants (e.g., EU Horizon), and publication sales. All finances are externally audited.
IAF does not replace national or regional regulations but complements them. It promotes harmonization and interoperability through internationally aligned approaches, supporting regulators with evidence-based tools and frameworks.
Membership
Membership is open to a wide range of stakeholders including OEMs, suppliers, regulators, NGOs, academics, researchers, professionals, students, and invited honorary observers. Each category has tailored roles and access.
IAF membership grants access to exclusive platforms for collaboration, policy influence, technical development, research partnerships, and visibility within the international mobility ecosystem.
IAF offers seven types of membership: Industry Member, Government/Regulatory, Associations/NGOs, Academic & Research, Professionals & Experts, Students & Innovators, and Observer/Honorary Members.
Complete the Membership Application Form, submit required documents, and await eligibility review by the IAF Secretariat and Membership Committee. Upon approval, members receive credentials and onboarding.
The typical review period is 3–5 weeks. Membership is valid annually and can be renewed at the beginning of each calendar year.
Members receive early access to draft standards, participation in expert groups, use of the IAF Member Mark, discounted accreditation fees, voting rights (where applicable), and opportunities to engage in global working groups and dialogues.
A single legal entity holds one formal voting membership. However, subsidiaries, departments, or affiliates may enroll as non-voting observers or join specific committees for topic-based collaboration.
Members are expected to engage constructively, respect the federation’s code of conduct, disclose conflicts of interest, and support evidence-based, collaborative decision-making. Responsible use of shared resources is essential.
Early members gain elevated visibility, eligibility for advisory seats, priority access to drafts and testbeds, and recognition across official IAF materials as Founding Contributors shaping the federation’s direction.
Standards in Development
All IAF standards are currently in the pre-draft consultation stage. These are early conceptual frameworks—not yet formal drafts—and are open to contributions from IAF members, partners, and advisory collaborators.
Pre-draft consultations will conclude by the end of Q4 2025. Draft versions of the standards will be submitted to IAF committees for review in Q1 2026, with public release of the final standards planned for mid-to-late 2026.
- Safety Standard: Crash testing, ADAS validation, occupant protection – Expected: Q3 2026
- Sustainability Standard: Carbon footprint measurement & green manufacturing – Expected: Q3 2026
- Digital Integrity Standard: Cybersecurity, secure software, and privacy frameworks – Expected: Q4 2026
- Smart Mobility Standard: Driver experience, human-machine interface, intelligent systems – Expected: Q4 2026
Input is currently welcomed from IAF members, academic institutions, regulators, industry alliances, civil society, and invited observers. Early contributors may join thematic working groups aligned with each standard.
No. IAF standards are designed to complement—not replace—existing national or international regulations. They aim to promote harmonization, comparability, and global alignment while respecting regional policies.
All IAF standards will follow a structured lifecycle process with periodic reviews, feedback loops, and open revision windows. Continuous improvement is driven by real-world data, stakeholder input, and field validation.
Members can request access to standard working groups through the member portal. Non-members and collaborators may contact the IAF Secretariat with a statement of interest. Draft feedback periods will be announced publicly.
IAF Accreditation
IAF Accreditation is a globally recognized endorsement of a laboratory, certification body, or manufacturer's technical competence, impartiality, and management integrity. It ensures that assessments like crash tests, ADAS validation, and battery safety trials meet ISO/IEC, UNECE WP.29, and IAF program requirements.
IAF Accreditation certifies the competence of an entire organization, such as a testing lab or manufacturer.
IAF Standard Compliance confirms that a specific product or service meets IAF-developed standards. Accreditation is continuous and organization-wide, while compliance applies to individual models or product versions.
- Direct Accreditation: Applicant applies directly to IAF. Evaluation and decision are handled by IAF.
- Accreditation via Recognised Bodies: IAF-recognised bodies perform the evaluation and issue certificates under IAF oversight.
- Product Certification: For product compliance only—not full organizational accreditation.
IAF accredits a range of stakeholders, including:
- OEMs and automotive manufacturers
- Testing laboratories and certification bodies
- Universities, R&D centers, technical institutes
- Individual experts such as engineers, consultants, and auditors
- Submit an application through the IAF portal
- Initial documentation and compliance check
- Peer review and on-site (or virtual) assessment
- Accreditation Committee vote
- Certificate issued and organization listed in IAF Registry
IAF provides distinct visual marks for:
- Product Standards: e.g., “IAF Safe Product”, “IAF Green Service ...
- Certification: e.g., “Certified by an IAF Recognised Body”
- Accreditation: e.g., “IAF Accredited Organization”
IAF Accreditation supports:
- Global market access through harmonized conformity evidence
- Consumer protection via rigorous and repeatable evaluations
- Policy alignment through standardized, comparable technical data
- Internal improvement of governance and operational practices
Yes. IAF offers individual professional accreditation for engineers, consultants, and technical experts who demonstrate competence in automotive quality, mobility systems, and safety. Accreditation verifies both credentials and practical expertise.
IAF follows strict evaluation protocols, peer-reviewed assessments, conflict-of-interest disclosure, and transparent committee voting. Testing may be outsourced to recognized labs, but decisions are always made independently and based on international best practices.