NSF International, an established standards development and certification company operating in 150 countires, has developed new protocols to test collision parts for the Australian market.
NSF International is a global organization with 70 years of certification experience and extensive expertise in writing standards, testing and auditing in a number of industries and has been certifying consumer and industrial products available in Australia for several years, including water pipes, valves pumps and meter fittings, dietary supplements and sports nutrition products.
NSF says it has developed new protocols for aftermarket automotive parts that specifically address the Australian market. Parts certified to these protocols will allow repair shops and consumers throughout Australia to identify high-quality aftermarket auto parts, say the company.
NSF International’s Automotive Collision Replacement Parts Certification Program tests and certifies parts to verify rigid quality, safety and performance standards are met. This includes independently reviewing and testing against original equipment (OE) service parts to ensure the highest level of performance in terms of form, fit and function, including Australian Design Rule Compliance. NSF also audits OE-ready manufacturing facilities and quality systems to verify compliance with NSF’s stringent requirements. NSF will test fit all parts in Australia to ensure that all NSF Certified parts fit right out of the box the first time.
The company says that both consumers and collision repair shops will: 'benefit from a competitive marketplace with high quality options for collision repair parts that are affordable and that come with a limited lifetime guarantee. Collision repair shops also benefit because NSF certified parts are fit tested in vehicles to ensure they fit the first time, reducing time spent on repairs. Additionally, using cost-effective certified parts can reduce the number of vehicles that are totaled based on part repair cost'.
The NSF Automotive Collision Replacement Parts Certification Program will test and certify multiple replacement parts for the Australian market including headlights, tail lights, guards, sheet metal components, steel bumpers, bumper covers, step bumpers, brackets, reinforcement bars, plastic components and absorbers.
Parts that meet all of NSF International's certification requirements are authorized to bear the NSF Certification Mark. To maintain certification, automotive parts manufacturers undergo quarterly facility audits and random, in-market parts testing, validating quality and integrity.
“We look forward to certifying more collision replacement parts to make sure the highest quality collision replacement parts are available in Australia as they are in the U.S.,” said Bob Frayer, Director of NSF International’s Automotive Collision Certification Programs. “This will enable body repairers, insurers and distributors to make quality repairs using NSF Certified collision replacement parts.”
Mike Kirkman, CEO of the joint venture between auto distributor LKQ and insurer Suncorp (ACM Parts), says NSF International will begin operating in Australia by testing and certifying a select group of parts common to Australian models. “ACM Parts is delighted to see NSF International stepping up to address the needs of the Australian market, and we look forward to working with NSF to make sure high-quality, cost-effective aftermarket automotive parts are available to collision repair professionals throughout Australia.”
Manufacturers or distributors of automotive collision parts seeking information about NSF International's Automotive Collision Certification Programs can visit NSF International’s website or contact Bob Frayer. Frayer also oversees the Automotive Collision Parts Distributor Certification Program, which certifies distributors who sell automotive collision parts.
For more information on management systems registration, visit www.nsf-isr.org or contact Tony Giles .