In response to the EPA Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule requiring states to provide compliance records similar to the new California Environmental Reporting System regulation, the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) has assembled a new Combined Environmental Reporting (CER) committee to develop reporting standards specific to the collision repair industry. The committee is made up of body shop owners, paint manufacturers and insurance company executives together with regulatory professionals from the EPA Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP).
“Why does the collision industry need a compliance reporting standard?” asked regulatory consultant Steven Schillinger during the CIECA Conference. “State and local permitting agencies are creating questionnaires mandated under the new federal electronic reporting regulation, which requires data from unrelated industries. Now is the time to work with the regulatory reporting authorities to eliminate non-essential, time-consuming and repetitive compliance data reporting.”
Added CIECA Executive Director Fred Iantorno, “Implementing reporting standards within collision repair facilities will result in more efficiencies, consistencies, cost savings, and conformity – saving the collision industry time, effort and money.”
“PPG is an industry leader that understands and meets compliance standards and determines the best ways to enhance the overall repair process,” said Matt Lynch, color software support specialist at PPG. “Most of our California shops are adopting best practices to improve shop efficiency. However, compliance reporting requirements can often be confusing, and compliance processes can be cumbersome and difficult to implement. I’m excited to join the CIECA Committee members in clearly identifying these issues and sharing ideas so we can continue to provide our customers with clear direction as compliance reporting requirements evolve and expand across the country.”
Robert Turchan, Pride Collision Centers, said, “Local and federal EPA reporting is about to become incredibly complicated, and a CIECA data solution will enable simpler compliance for the nation’s body shops. A uniform language for reporting will enable paint companies and regulated industries to quickly offer solutions to body shops. Without this solution, many shops will be at risk for litigation, fines and closure.”
For more information on CIECA, visit www.cieca.com or email Fred Iantorno at [email protected].
