Signing ceremony in Tianjin

CATARC and DEKRA partnering to advance automotive innovation

Aug 28, 2026

Supporting transformation and international development of the sector
Cooperation in a wide field of topics across the value chain
Automotive companies face increasingly complex requirements

The global leader in automotive testing, inspection, and certification services DEKRA and China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) have signed Memorandum of Understanding. It is aimed at supporting the transformation and international development of the automotive industry. The agreement was signed at CATARC headquarters in Tianjin, China.

It brings together CATARC’s expertise and extensive technical capabilities in China with DEKRA’s global network, international market experience, and TIC services. The two organizations will cooperate in response to major developments shaping the automotive industry, including decarbonization and electrification, automated and connected mobility, as well as internationalization. Among the fields of cooperation are research on European and Chinese automotive regulations, type approval and homologation, market compliance and conformity of production, vehicle testing, EU Battery Regulation compliance, as well as cybersecurity and Digital Trust services.

CATARC’s aspiration is to advance the scientific and technological progress of China's automotive industry, it adheres to its industry positioning as an “independent, impartial, and third-party” organization. Its business covers the full value chain of technical services for the automotive industry, including policy research, standards and regulations, research and development of key generic technologies, product engineering development services, testing, inspection and certification, information consulting, and engineering design.

“As the global automotive industry continues to transform and Chinese automotive companies expand into international markets, cooperation between leading technical organizations in China and overseas is becoming increasingly important”, said Zhou Hua, Vice President of CATARC. “By bringing together our complementary capabilities, CATARC and DEKRA can provide stronger technical support for the sustainable development of the global automotive industry.”

Peter Laursen, Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Management Board of DEKRA Group, outlined DEKRA’s global presence, technical capabilities, and experience in the automotive industry. DEKRA supports automotive manufacturers and suppliers in understanding and meeting regulatory, technical, and market-access requirements in major markets, including Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. Its services are supported by a global laboratory network, internationally recognized accreditations, market-specific regulatory expertise, and technical capabilities in established and emerging automotive fields.

“This agreement creates a strong foundation for closer cooperation between CATARC and DEKRA,” Peter Laursen said. “By combining CATARC’s technical capabilities and in-depth knowledge of China’s automotive industry with DEKRA’s global network and international market expertise, we can help global automotive companies address increasingly complex requirements across technologies and markets.”