ASA Provides Legislative,
Division Updates at 2009 ASRW

Bob Redding

Representatives of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were on hand Nov. 6 in Las Vegas to discuss new initiatives, goals and partnerships involving the two organizations. The press conference was held during ASA's International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) and Congress of Repair and Service (CARS) events - co-located as part of the second annual Automotive Service and Repair Week (ASRW) - at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Nov. 4-7, 2009.

Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative, provided an update on the legislative activities and focus by the association, such as endorsement of federal insurance legislation that includes property and casualty insurance regulation, and full repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act.

ASA supports a full repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, and is urging repairers to send letters supporting the repeal to their member of the House of Representatives and U.S. senators, through the ASA legislative site, www.TakingTheHill.com. The prewritten letters can be found in the "Legislative Alerts" section of the site.

Holly Wilson, team leader, Community Air Toxics Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), outlined the agency's progress addressing environmental and health issues within auto body businesses. The agency's Collision Repair Campaign (CRC) is designed to assist these businesses in achieving compliance through training and technical assistance. As part of the campaign, EPA representatives conducted informational and hands-on training sessions in the NACE Educational Theater, as well as met with attendees directly on the show floor. Attendees to the 90-minute informational sessions received certifications of completion that will be recognized as part of the documented training requirements for the new rule.

Collision repair shops, just one of several sectors affected by this rule, must be in full compliance by Jan. 9, 2011.

Denise Caspersen, ASA Collision Division manager, provided the audience with an overview of the Collision Division Operations Committee's 2009 focus: "Being engaged." To help implement change, Caspersen said, the committee has become more engaged with insurers, parts manufacturers and the federal government.

Darrell Amberson

Ron Nagy

Caspersen turned over the podium to Darrell Amberson, AAM, Collision Division director, who discussed the success of the 2009 ASA Capitol Hill Fly-In, as well as announced the dates for the 2010 event. For more information about the May 10-12, 2010 Fly-In, please go to www.TakingTheHill.com/flyin2010.htm.

Ron Nagy, chairman of the Collision Division's Crash Parts subcommittee, talked about the group's busy year, which has included events and discussions with the Taiwanese Auto Body Parts Association, the Quality Parts Coalition, LKQ/Keystone and a tour of a Certified Auto Parts Association (CAPA) testing facility. Nagy currently serves on ASA's board of directors as secretary/treasurer.

Robbie Addison, ASA Mechanical Division manager, outlined the Mechanical Division Operations Committee's accomplishments in 2009, including the completion of educational materials for professionals and consumers that discuss extended service plans (ESPs). The ESP guidelines for professionals are available to ASA members for free download in the Members Only section of the ASA Web site, www.ASAshop.org. The educational materials for consumers are available free of charge to consumers on the ASA Web site, on the News section's Additional Resources page.

Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive, spoke about the year of change the industry has experienced, as well as predictions of more change for ASA and its members. Pyle commented that a member assessment from earlier this year provided a great deal of insight into how the association can become better focused on members' needs.

To read this press release in its entirety, please visit www.ASAshop.org.