NSF International announced the launch of a new program to certify distributors that sell automotive aftermarket collision parts at the Collision Industry Conference held July 20-21 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
NSF International says the new NSF Automotive Aftermarket Collision Parts Distributor Certification Program closes the gap in the supply chain between the parts manufacturers and body shops.
The Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) sponsored and worked closely with NSF to develop the new program to meet supply chain requirements, including parts traceability. NSF believes that the program meets the needs of collision repair shops, insurers and ultimately consumers, as it requires distributors to have quality management systems in place that address traceability, service and quality issues with regard to both certified and non-certified parts.
NSF certified distributors will be required to have records systems and inventory tracking systems in place that can track customer defective part complaints, trace a part to a body shop and trace a part sale. NSF believes that this gives the industry the ability to track all defective part complaints and trace parts from the manufacturer through the distribution channel to the body shop.
“For many years, the collision industry has asked for an effective system to track and recall, if necessary, any defective safety parts. The new NSF Distributor Certification Program accomplishes that goal," said ABPA Board Chairman Dan Morrissey. "The NSF program provides collision repairers and their customers’ peace of mind that certified distributors are focused on delivering quality parts and service.”
Requirements for distributors to earn NSF certification include:
• ISO 9001 certified quality management system
• Part traceability and inventory tracking system
• Defective parts procedure including a customer part complaint process
• Ability to administer a manufacturer’s recall
Distributors that meet the certification requirements will be able to use the NSF Certified Distributor Mark on their websites and promotional materials indicating that they’re an NSF certified distributor. Certified distributors also will be included in NSF’s online certification listings. NSF says that all NSF certified distributors will undergo ongoing quality systems inspections to maintain certification.
“The NSF Automotive Aftermarket Collision Parts Distributor Certification Program certifies a distributor’s ability to meet rigid performance standards and was developed in support of NSF’s mission to create programs that help protect and improve public health and safety,” said Bob Frayer, director of NSF International’s Automotive Aftermarket Certification Programs and the NSF Engineering Laboratories.
NSF believes that the NSF Distributor Certification program complements the NSF Automotive Aftermarket Parts Certification Program, which certifies that automotive aftermarket parts (e.g. steel bumpers, step bumpers, brackets, rebars, sheet metal, lighting and absorbers) meet rigid quality, safety and performance standards in terms of form, fit and function.
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