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Look closely at your OEM wheel and you'll see "JWL" (Japan Wheel Light) stamped near the rim:

This means that the wheel has passed the safety standard set by the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for passenger car light alloy wheels in the Japanese Domestic Market.

All wheels marketed in the JDM must meet JWL standards, and JWL standards are recognized world-wide.

If you want the same safety in an aftermarket wheel for your RDX, look for the JWL stamp.

Here is a brief outline of testing to JWL spec:

Cornering Fatigue Test (Drum Endurance Test)
The purpose of this test is for checking wheel rim strength and durability. Place a wheel assembly with tire on test equipment. Radial stress is then added to simulate vehicle weight.

Test run 500,000 cycles
After 500,000 cycles inspect for cracks, deformation and any nut loosening.

Radial Load Fatigue Test (Rotary Bending Test)
JWL pass criteria: 100,000 cycles
The purpose of this test is for checking durability of the wheel disc. The spokes and the hub are the first point of weight distribution from the vehicle and spoke strength is gauged by this test.

Place a wheel on testing equipment and by adding bending stress to center of disc –

Test run 100,000 cycles
After 100,000 cycles, inspect for cracks, deformation and any nut loosening.

13 Degree Impact Test
JWL pass criteria: 594 kg

The main purpose of test is for checking strength between rim and disc cross section. The “joint” or the area where the spoke and the rim meet is an important structural area that is subject to great stress. The horizontal weight of the rim and the vertical stress of the spokes meet at this joint and proper structural stability is crucial for a proper wheel.

The wheel assembly is placed with tire tilted 13 degrees from horizontal plane on testing equipment.

A preset weight is dropped on the outer sidewall of tire, thus giving impact to the wheel/tire. Then inspect for cracks, deformation and air leak.

This test is very important for the recent trend of a larger/wider wheel with lower profile tire combination, because there is less air volume than OE wheel/tire and more stress to inner rim section. This test simulates actual usage condition such as hitting corner curb or objects from side.

SinCity

How about VIA? What are those standards?

737 Jock

JWL represents a governmental testing standard that applies to OEM wheels (and by extension all wheels in the JDM).

VIA is the Japan Vehicle Inspection Association. This is an industry group that is part of the Light Alloy Wheel Testing Council, along with the Aluminum Association and most of the aftermarket wheel companies.

While an OEM wheel will carry the JWL, the aftermarket companies want to insure that their wheels are recognized as equal, so they perform their own testing to JWL standard. They want the best possible image for the aftermarket -- their self-imposed standards are equal to, possibly better than JWL -- they are pressuring all aftermarket suppliers to use both stamps.