ASA Approves New Crash Parts Policy

Posted 12/12/2011

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) Board of Directors met this past weekend and discussed changes to the ASA policy on replacement crash parts. The board voted unanimously to approve a new policy for crash parts.

With reference to the new policy, Dan Stander, AAM, ASA Collision Division director and co-owner of Jerry Stander’s Collision Works, Littleton, Colo., said:

“ASA’s replacement crash parts position statement is in response to today’s parts usage and market conditions. With an increasing number of part types with various levels of quality, and an increase in the number of processes used to validate – or not validate – these various lines of quality, it is confusing at best to most repairers.

“ASA’s position better defines its goal to provide the highest level of repair by requiring full disclosure of all part types by all parties, and having the standard for replacement crash parts that are certified and verified to be the equivalent of the OEM part.”

The new crash parts policy reads:

ASA supports requiring insurers and auto collision facilities to provide disclosure of part type, description and warranty information to the consumer for all part types including, but not limited to, original equipment manufacturer, aftermarket, recycled, remanufactured, reconditioned and rebuilt crash parts.

ASA supports quality parts, certified and verified in which the quality is determined based on empirical and measurable evidence equal to the standard of OEM parts. ASA recommends quality verification and testing related to metallurgy, fit, functionality and responsiveness.

ASA believes a competitive parts marketplace, of tested and verified quality parts, is in the best interest of the motoring public. ASA continues to oppose parts policies that focus solely on cost efficiency without regard to certification, verifiable quality and safety.

Roy Schnepper, AAM, ASA Government Affairs Committee chairman and owner of Butler’s Collision Inc. in Roseville, Mich., said:

“We are seeing a changing market in the collision industry, especially in reference to the growing use of aftermarket crash parts, which we, as shop owners, are being asked to use in repairing vehicles.

“ASA believes collision repairers should have confidence that replacement crash parts will respond equally as well in a secondary collision as the parts originally placed on the vehicle. Collision repairers, insurers, parts distributors and manufacturers must work together to ensure the testing and verification procedures are the best possible to protect consumers and repairers. When this happens, consumers can have confidence that the parts they are receiving meet OEM standards.”

To view additional information and legislative materials related to ASA, visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.