Automóviles Utilitarios SA (AUSA) has been invited to join the European Federation of Materials Handling's (FEM) executive steering committee.

The FEM, responsible for unifying materials handling safety, ergonomics and environmental standards in Europe, works closely with the Industrial Truck Association (USA) and the Japan Industrial Vehicles Association (Japan) to harmonise the criteria on a broader scale.

AUSA product strategy director Xavier Perramón said joining the FEM was a "significant step forward" for the company, allowing it to initiate important changes to "barriers" restricting international trade.

"Over time, we hope to eliminate the need to design and specify forklifts according to the different norms in force in each market, which, in essence, only serve as barriers to entry," he said.