TÜV NORD is paving the way for the introduction of Honda’s “Walking Assist” onto the European market

Tokyo/Essen: TÜV NORD has certified the Walking Assist system developed by HONDA. This innovative medical device supports patients who are learning to walk again after surgery and is used mainly in rehabilitation.

Until now, Walking Assist has been available for sale only in Japan. Thanks to certification in accordance with ISO 13485, however, HONDA now meets the requirements of the European directive on medical devices (93/42/EEC) and is with immediate effect at liberty to sell the product in Europe.

This success is in large part due to the cooperation between TÜV NORD and leading Japanese certifier JQA (Japan Quality Assurance). Joint certification was the first step on the road to a strategic partnership: “The stated aim of JQA and TÜV NORD is to offer a seamless service for the markets in Japan and Europe. As a recognised certification body in Europe, what we can contribute to this partnership is outstanding expertise and good contacts,” says Wolfgang Wielpütz, General Manager at TÜV NORD CERT.

For more information about Walking Assist, click here: world.honda.com/Walking-Assist/ 

*Photo caption: Wolfgang Wielpütz, General Manager at TÜV NORD CERT (right) and Noriaki Kobayashi, President & CEO of JQA (left) hand over the certificate to Katsuhisa Okuda, Chief Officer for Power Product Operations at HONDA Motor (centre).