Related Links
 

CAPA's Jack Gillis Outlines Position On NSF Certification

An Open Letter to ABPA Members on Their Decision to Endorse and Fund a Part Certification Program Which Promises to Increase Market Share and Profits for Distributors and Manufacturers but Makes No Mention of Standards or Requirements

WASHINGTON, D.C.--July 28, 2010

Mr. Charlie Hogarty, Chairman
Board of Directors
Auto Body Parts Association

Ms. Dolores Richardson, President
Board of Directors
Auto Body Parts Association

 

 

 

 

Dear Mr. Hogarty and Ms. Richardson:

The news release (April 20, 2010 “NSF Certification”) posted on the website of one of your members and published in the May-June Issue of Body Language, reports that the Auto Body Parts Association has endorsed and agreed to fund a part “certification” program.  Key aspects of the program, according to the release, include:

  • Dramatic reduction of certification costs for manufacturers;
  • Warranting the certification process;
  • Allowing parts to be stamped “NSF” at no cost;
  • Collaboration with insurers on how much the program will cost; and,
  • Assurance of greater market share and profits for manufacturers and distributors.

In commenting on the release, ABPA executive director confirmed their “interest [in the program] to NSF” and further stated that ABPA is considering all options pertaining to product certification, product affirmation and “any and all other programs which might lead to a greater level of acceptance of our products and services.”  While the executive director said that the release was incorrect in saying that ABPA would fund the entire program, he did not disclose who else was funding the program or how much ABPA was contributing to the program.

There was no clarification by the ABPA in the Body Language which published the release, nor in the subsequent issue.  The release, published in Body Language, raises some very serious concerns for anyone interested in legitimate quality certification standards.

While announcing ABPA endorsement of the program, the release only mentions one ABPA member, namely LKQ.  Inexplicably, the release states that the National Sanitation Foundation has the “trust of LKQ,” (ABPA’s largest member) due to “[NSF] having managed the AQRP2 program” and “[NSF] supporting the sale of Taiwanese products for LKQ.”  It is unclear how the National Sanitation Foundation is supporting the sale of Taiwanese products for LKQ.

Over the years, ABPA members have chosen not to insist that their suppliers provide parts that meet CAPA’s comprehensive part quality requirements even though these manufacturers have proven time and again that they can meet the standards.  Now, as the safety and quality of the parts they sell comes under intense scrutiny, the ABPA has chosen to endorse a set of standards that are unknown to the public, unknown to the manufacturers, unknown to collision repairers, and apparently, unknown even to members of the ABPA.  Nevertheless, they are recommending that these unknown standards be applied to sheet metal, lighting, plastic bumpers and grilles, and high strength steel products.  In fact, the release states that “the program plans to include any and all parts delivered to the automobile industry in the U.S.”  Two of the product categories that they are endorsing unknown standards for have serious safety implications:  lights and structural bumpers.

Fully endorsing unknown standards as a way to increase market share is a potentially dangerous position to take in this era of heightened sensitivity to part safety and quality concerns.  The market is filled with examples of what can happen when sales and profits out rank quality and safety concerns—flying hoods, unsafe bumpers, and lights failing FMVSS requirements.

...

Full Text of CAPA Open Letter.  [(.pdf) 56kb]