Houston, TX – The ABPA is concerned with the accelerated introduction of OE Repair Procedure bills in multiple states that are tying in the exclusive use of OE Parts. Though noble intentions were behind their origination, we are seeing an increase in the addition of anti-aftermarket language that is not only detrimental to an important segment in the collision repair chain, they will also affect the American consumer.
“The current wave of OE Repair Procedure legislation many times contains imbedded language that in effect limits repair competition” ABPA Chairman Christopher Northup adds, “Consumer rights around safe, quality and economic repairs are threatened with these proposed bills. The result would be a detrimental effect on the cost of repair, the total loss valuation outcome and in time insurance premiums. All of which hurt consumers as well as threaten the vehicle repair supply chain.”
Automobile manufacturers are becoming more assertive in their efforts to eliminate the aftermarket collision repair industry through their use of repair procedures and position statements. These self-serving methods claim that only OE parts can be part of the official repair procedure.
In 2019, there have been 13 states that have introduced OE Repair Procedure requirement bills. These include the states of CT, HI, IL, IA, KY, LA, MN, MS, MT, NV, NH, TX, & WV. This is in addition to similar bills in 9 states in 2018 and 6 states in 2017. Comparable legislation will be introduced in 2020 in other states.
“As always, the ABPA will continue to address any legislation that looks to restrict the aftermarket” said ABPA Executive Director Edward Salamy. “the ABPA would also like to stress that having a healthy aftermarket ensures competition and helps protect the wallets of American consumers.”
About the ABPA
With more than 165 members, the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) occupies over 400 distinctive locations including collision parts distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and parts recycling plants. ABPA’s members are responsible for distributing more than 80 percent of the independently produced aftermarket crash replacement parts sold to the collision repair trade. For more information about the ABPA, visit www.autobpa.com.
