ANN ARBOR, Mich. and MEMPHIS, Tenn. – NSF International, an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited standards writing organization, has launched a new Automotive Parts Certification Program to address concerns regarding the safety of certain aftermarket structural parts. NSF says this one-of-a-kind program verifies both the quality and performance of aftermarket collision parts via testing and inspections.
The NSF Automotive Parts Certification Program offers independent, third-party certification of steel bumpers, step bumpers, absorbers, reinforcement bars and brackets to ensure that high-quality aftermarket safety parts are available. NSF International’s certification criteria require the highest level of performance in terms of form, fit and function, as well as the production facility’s quality systems.
The certification program was developed to counter the growing concerns that lower-quality parts were being used in the collision repair industry. Certification from an accredited third-party, such as NSF International, helps ensure that an aftermarket crash part meets rigid quality, safety and performance standards.
Reflexxion Automotive and Production Bumper Stamping, Inc. (PBSI), which manufacture Diamond Standard brand parts, are the first companies to participate in NSF International’s Automotive Parts Certification Program. The certification program includes:
• On-site inspection and approval of the manufacturing facilities’ production and quality system;
• In-plant part quality assurance requirements;
• Rigorous part testing to ensure the highest levels of performance;
• Comparison to original equipment (OE) parts across dimensional and material attributes;
• Ongoing monitoring of certified parts through quarterly facility audits;
• Random, in-market part testing;
• An ongoing process for monitoring and taking action regarding customer complaints;
• A traceability requirement that allows for an effective recall process; and
• Automotive parts that complete the requirements of this NSF certification program will bear the NSF Mark.
Michael O’Neal of Diamond Standard parts stated, “The events of the past few weeks concerning crash related safety parts illustrate the glaring need for certification to assure the consumer, collision repair shop, independent distributor and insurance industry that the parts utilized for the repairs of a vehicle maintain the integrity of the original collision management system. NSF International’s 65-year history of certification, testing and inspections coupled with its extensive automotive industry experience, provides the confidence that the collision repair industry can rely on.”
"When any collision repair professional or insurance company sees the NSF Mark on an automotive part, they can be confident that the part meets the industry’s highest standards,” said Bob Frayer, Director, NSF International Engineering Laboratories. “NSF Certification also allows manufacturers to demonstrate their commitment to product quality and safety."
Manufacturers of parts seeking information on NSF International’s Automotive Parts Certification Program can visit http://www.nsf.org/media/enews/automotive_landing.asp or email [email protected].
