SAE J2412, SAE J2527, FLTM BO 116-01, ASTM D7869, and the OEM Weathering Methods Your Program Requires
Here’s something that trips up even experienced suppliers. You run xenon arc weathering. You have the hours, the equipment, the data. You submit to GM. The submission comes back invalid, not because the test was wrong, but because it was the wrong test. Ford doesn’t accept GM’s method. GM doesn’t accept Ford’s. Rivian and Tesla each have their own. Getting this right isn’t a detail. It’s the whole thing.
We run GMW14162 Method D, Ford FLTM BO 116-01, Rivian RTS.1744, and Tesla TP-0000701 within our accredited xenon weathering scope under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (A2LA Certificate No. 0079.01). Q2 weathering capacity is filling. If your program needs to run, now is the time to schedule it.
Why your OEM’s method isn’t the same as the industry standard
SAE J2527 and SAE J2412 are the industry-level standards for exterior and interior xenon arc weathering. They establish a baseline most automotive engineers are familiar with.
OEM methods are not that baseline. They take SAE conditions as a starting point and layer on their own requirements: specific irradiance levels, optical filter combinations, cycle profiles, conditioning requirements, and pass/fail criteria tied to that OEM’s component performance expectations. The result is a method that looks related to the SAE standard but is not substitutable for it.
Submitting J2527 data for a program that requires GMW14162 Method D won’t produce a borderline result. It produces a result that doesn’t qualify. The OEM submission process doesn’t grade on a curve. GPTesting confirms the specific OEM method, revision, and applicable acceptance criteria before any weathering program begins.
GMW14162 Method D: what GM actually requires
GMW14162 is GM’s xenon arc weathering specification for evaluating colorfastness and degradation of automotive interior materials. The standard has four exposure methods. Method D is the one referenced in GM supplier qualification packages, and it’s the one in our accredited scope.
Method D runs a light and dark cycle at 89°C with irradiance measured at 340 nm. Those parameters are specific. The cycle produces a controlled, reproducible exposure that evaluates color change, surface degradation, and material aging in accelerated conditions representative of in-vehicle solar load environments.
If your GM program requires xenon weathering, it requires Method D. Not Method A, not J2527, not a comparable cycle on xenon arc equipment. Method D. Confirm it’s in scope before submitting samples by downloading our Scope of Accreditation.
Ford FLTM BO 116-01: what Ford actually requires
Ford’s xenon weathering method for automotive interior trim is FLTM BO 116-01. It’s supplemental to SAE J2412, which means it references J2412 as a foundation and adds Ford-specific requirements on top.
The most important one is the optical filter. FLTM BO 116-01 specifies a Window-SF5 filter that removes nearly all UVB radiant energy. The goal is to closely simulate sunlight as it enters a vehicle through glass, because that’s the light environment automotive interior materials actually experience.
Running J2412 without the correct filter configuration isn’t a close substitute. It doesn’t satisfy a Ford interior submission, regardless of the hours accumulated or the equipment used. FLTM BO 116-01 is in our accredited scope. It’s the method to reference on Ford supplier quality documentation. If you’re unsure which method applies to your component, we confirm that before anything goes into the chamber.
Rivian and Tesla: EV programs have their own requirements
EV OEMs developed their own xenon weathering specifications because their material qualification requirements reflect their specific supply chains and performance standards. Rivian references RTS.1744. Tesla references TP-0000701. Both are in GPTesting’s accredited xenon weathering scope.
If you’re qualifying materials for a Rivian or Tesla program, those are the methods you need. They’re not interchangeable with traditional OEM methods, and they’re not covered by a J2527 data package.
As EV programs expand across the supply chain, more suppliers are running multiple OEM programs simultaneously. Running both traditional methods (GMW14162, FLTM BO 116-01) and EV OEM methods (RTS.1744, TP-0000701) on the same equipment under the same quality system keeps the data comparable and reduces coordination overhead. See our Testing Capabilities page for the full weathering scope.
Q2 capacity: the scheduling window is real
Xenon arc weathering chambers run continuously. Programs take weeks, not days. Q2 launch windows don’t flex for programs that were submitted late.
If your Q2 program needs weathering data, submit now. Download our Testing Readiness Checklist to confirm sample quantities, optical filter requirements, and documentation before samples arrive. Then request a quote or call 313-885-3535.
GPTesting’s March Madness weathering promotion runs through April 6 and offers priority scheduling for programs submitted before the deadline.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is GMW14162 Method D and when does my GM program require it?
GMW14162 is GM’s xenon arc weathering specification for evaluating colorfastness and material degradation under simulated in-vehicle sunlight, heat, and humidity. Method D uses a light and dark exposure cycle at 89°C with irradiance measured at 340 nm. It is specified in GM supplier qualification packages for interior material programs that require xenon weathering. GPTesting runs GMW14162 Method D within its accredited scope under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (A2LA Certificate No. 0079.01).
What is Ford FLTM BO 116-01 and how does it differ from SAE J2527?
Ford FLTM BO 116-01 is Ford Motor Company’s xenon arc weathering test method specifically for automotive interior trim materials. It is supplemental to SAE J2412 and uses a Window-SF5 optical filter that removes nearly all UVB radiant energy, closely simulating sunlight as it enters a vehicle through glass. SAE J2527 is the industry-level standard for exterior xenon weathering conditions and is a separate method. Ford FLTM BO 116-01 and SAE J2412 are closely related interior methods but are not identical, and results generated under J2412 alone do not necessarily constitute a valid FLTM BO 116-01 submission. We verify the applicable Ford method, filter specification, and revision before the first sample is loaded.
Do Rivian and Tesla have their own xenon weathering specifications?
Yes. Rivian references RTS.1744 and Tesla references TP-0000701 for xenon arc weathering in their respective supplier qualification programs. Both are within GPTesting’s accredited xenon weathering scope. As EV OEM supplier qualification programs expand, having a lab accredited for both traditional and EV OEM methods under the same quality system reduces program coordination time and ensures test data meets the applicable OEM submission requirements.
Can I submit GMW14162 Method D data to satisfy a Ford FLTM BO 116-01 requirement?
No. GMW14162 Method D, Ford FLTM BO 116-01, Rivian RTS.1744, and Tesla TP-0000701 are distinct specifications with different cycle parameters, optical filter requirements, and acceptance criteria. Data generated under one specification does not satisfy a submission requirement for another, even when the test hours are equivalent. Each OEM qualification submission requires data generated under the specific method named in that OEM’s material specification or supplier quality manual.
How long do OEM xenon weathering programs take to complete?
OEM xenon weathering programs are defined in kJ/m² or elapsed hours depending on the specification. Most qualification programs range from 500 to 2,500 kJ/m² or 500 to 1,500 hours of exposure. Including sample conditioning, post-exposure measurement, and report preparation, complete programs typically take 6 to 12 weeks from sample receipt. Programs submitted now for Q2 launches will produce results on time. Programs submitted in late April will not. GPTesting’s weathering promotion through April 6 offers priority scheduling for programs submitted before the deadline.
