NSF International announced it has launched the NSF Automotive Collision Repair Shop Certification Program, providing independent, third-party oversight of collision repair shops. The certification, according to NSF International, verifies the shop’s ability to conduct high-quality repairs.
In accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) procedures, collision repairers and a variety of industry experts worked with NSF International certification experts to develop the requirements for the Automotive Collision Repair Shop Certification Program. The program is designed to assist vehicle owners and insurers in identifying collision shops that provide high-quality repairs.
NSF International certified collision repair shops will be required to meet state, federal and local collision repair shop regulations and undergo biannual audits to verify continued compliance with the program’s requirements, which include:
- Performing high-quality, consistent repairs
- Using and maintaining proper equipment for the job
- Having qualified and trained personnel
- Using quality parts for repairs
- Responding promptly to complaints and consumer feedback
- Utilizing modern computer estimation systems
- Providing excellent customer service
NSF International offers four types of automotive collision repair shop certification:
- Cosmetic/nonstructural repair: Covers repairs, refinishes and/or replacement of bolted-on parts to restore a vehicle to its original state and shape.
- Structural repair: Covers non-aluminum repairs that require welding, rivet bonding and/or measuring and pulling in order to restore a vehicle to its original state and shape.
- Aluminum nonstructural cosmetic repair: Covers cosmetic/nonstructural repairs on a part comprised of aluminum.
- Aluminum structural repair certification: Covers structural repair on a part comprised of aluminum.
Collision repair shops that meet all certification requirements can use the NSF International certification mark on their website and promotional materials indicating the appropriate certification type listed above. NSF International certified collision repair shops also will be included in NSF’s online certification listings and undergo ongoing quality systems inspections to maintain certification.
NSF International has entered into an agreement with AccuracyDriven4, Inc., to provide the audit services required for NSF’s Automotive Collision Repair Shop Certification Program. AccuracyDriven4 provides an extensive audit process for collision repairers to identify areas of opportunity or gaps in the process.
“The collision industry has struggled for years to adopt a standard for providing safe and accurate repairs to the consumer. It has been a long process, and it makes sense for NSF International, a company recognized globally for testing and certification, to be the independent entity that brings collision repair certification to a reality. AccuracyDriven4 is pleased to be the exclusive provider of audit services for the NSF International Automotive Collision Repair Shop Certification Program,” said Douglas Irish, president and CEO of AccuracyDriven4.
Dan Stander, second generation operator of Fix Auto Highlands Ranch and one of the collision repair experts who helped develop the NSF International protocol on which the certification program is based, added, “There are 33,000 to 35,000 collision repair shops in the U.S. today. With NSF International collision repair shop certification, qualifying shops now have a way to differentiate themselves from the competition in terms of providing higher quality, safer repairs and exceptional customer service.”
The NSF International Collision Repair Shop Certification Program complements NSF’s Automotive Collision Replacement Parts Certification, which certifies that automotive aftermarket parts meet rigid quality, safety and performance standards in terms of form, fit and function, and NSF International’s Automotive Collision Parts Distributor Certification, which certifies distributors that sell aftermarket parts.
Bob Frayer, global managing director of Automotive Certification Programs at NSF International, added, “Consumers now have access to collision parts and repairs that have been independently certified at the manufacturing, distribution and now the body shop repair level. NSF International’s collision part replacement, distribution and body shop repair certification programs work together to provide customers peace of mind that each link in the collision part and repair supply chain is able to deliver the highest quality parts and service.”
