Industry Support for OEM-Based 
Repair Standards Grows

Prosser, Washington, December 5, 2011 - The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) reports that over 20 additional state and regional groups have asked to be recognized in support of the repair standards position taken by national associations representing the collision repair industry in early November.  This clearly demonstrates a uniform voice within the industry, and that the vision for standards development and adherence outlined by the national associations is supported and embraced by the representative bodies of collision repairers coast to coast. To date, the following groups, representing 22 states, have added their official endorsement to the statement:

• Alliance of Automotive Service Providers - MA (AASP-MA)
• Alliance of Automotive Service Providers - PA (AASP-PA)
• Alliance of Automotive Service Providers - NJ (AASP-NJ)
• Alliance of Automotive Service Providers - MN (AASP-MN)
• Alliance of Automotive Service Providers - MO (AASP-MO)
• Automotive Service Council of Kentucky (ASCKY)
• Auto Body and Painting Association of Hawaii (ABPAH)
• California Autobody Association (CAA)
• Choice Autobody Repair Association (CARA)
• Florida Auto Collision Alliance (FACA)
• Georgia Collision Industry Association (GCIA)
• Houston Auto Body Association (HABA)
• Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina (IGONC)
• Indiana Auto Body Association (IABA)
• Iowa Collision Repair Association (ICRA)
• Long Island Auto Body Repair Association (LIABRA)
• Missouri / Kansas Chapter of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS MO/KAN)
• Montana Collision Repair Specialists (MCRS)
• New York State Auto Collision Technicians (NYSACT)
• Oregon Collision Repair Specialists (OCRS)
• South Dakota Auto Body Association (SDABA)
• U.S. Alliance of Collision Professionals (USACP)
• Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA)

The statement made clear that the collision repair industry is to recognize the automobile Original Equipment Manufacturers' (OEM) repair procedures as the official basis for collision industry repair standards.  Further, the group asked the I-CAR Board of Directors to consider forming a council within its organizational structure to liaison with the OEM and address deficiencies in the current repair procedures.

Statements of support have also been received from other international groups who interact regularly with SCRS. The National Automotive Trades Association (NATA) is a federally chartered 'association of associations' brought together to present a unified voice for the Canadian automotive trades industry since 1947. In a statement received by SCRS on November 11th, NATA President, Rob Lang and Collision Chair John Norris stated, "The National Automotive Trades Association is very encouraged by the positive actions of our sister organizations in the United States. We agree that Original Equipment Manufacturers' repair standards are the officially recognized standards for the auto body, collision repair and auto refinish industry in Canada."

"It is great to see the responses from the various bodies and associations around the USA following the statement made at the Collision Industry Conference meeting held during the 2011 SEMA Show," added David Newton-Ross, Convenor of the Collision Repair Specialists of Australia (CRSA) in an email to SCRS on November 14th. "We certainly support your action on standards in the USA."

To see the joint statement in its entirety click here. For industry groups, organizations or businesses who are interested in being added as endorsing the statement please click here.

About SCRS: Through its direct members and 38 affiliate associations, SCRS is comprised of 6,000 collision repair businesses and 58,500 specialized professionals who work with consumers and insurance companies to repair collision-damaged vehicles. Additional information about SCRS including other news releases is available at the SCRS Web site: www.scrs.com. You can e-mail SCRS at the following address: info@scrs.com.