GB/T 16738-1997Road vehicles. World parts manufacturer identifier (WPMI) code (English PDF)

1 Scope

This standard specifies the content and composition of an identifier, in order to establish an identification system for road vehicle parts manufacturers worldwide. According to the wishes of the manufacturer, this identifier can be used as a replacement or addition symbol, for various existing domestic and international systems, such as names, addresses, trademarks.

The purpose of this standard is not to specify the existence of a certain mark, BUT to give a unified structure to the mark that exists for any reason. It is not intended to be used to identify each kind of part, BUT only to identify the responsible manufacturer of the part.

2 Scope

This standard is only applicable to manufacturers of parts, which are used for road vehicles, in accordance with ISO 3833.

3 Normative references

GB/T 16737-1997 Road vehicles - World manufacturer identifier (WMI) code

ISO 3833 Road vehicles - Types - Terms and definitions

4 Definition

The following definitions apply to this standard:

4.1 Parts manufacturer: The individual, manufacturer or company, that is responsible for the parts or assemblies, whose source needs to be identified.

4.2 World Parts Manufacturer Identifier (WPMI): It is a code, which is assigned to a part manufacturer, so that its identification mark has only a unique interpretation, in the worldwide, for at least 30 years.

5 General characteristics of WPMI code

5.1 WPMI code shall include four-digit code. The following Arabic numerals and Roman letters can be used:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 A B C D E F G H J K L M N P R S T U V W X Y Z (The letters I, O, Q cannot be used)

5.2 The designated WPMI code will be preserved and checked, by the international agency authorized by ISO: the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

5.3 For each part manufacturer, it can be assigned with one or several WPMI codes, by the national agency of the country, where the manufacturer's headquarters is located.

5.4 A WPMI code, that has been assigned to a part manufacturer, cannot be assigned to another manufacturer, for at least 30 years after the last year of use of this code.

6 Specific characters required for WPMI code

Note: See the example in Appendix A (Normative).