The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) has added new testing requirements to cover electric motors, actuators, and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps.

The new requirements were approved by CAPA’s Technical Committee, an inter-industry group made up of collision repairers, distributors, insurers, technical experts and manufacturers. CAPA said it is the only independent certification body in the United States for aftermarket lighting parts that tests for, and confirms compliance to, FMVSS 108, and true comparability to the car company brand counterpart.

“I’m proud to report that CAPA Standards are keeping pace with the latest technology and complex components used in today’s headlights,” said Jack Gillis, CAPA’s Executive Director. “Thanks to CAPA’s Technical Committee, which is undoubtedly one of the greatest quality resources in the industry, the CAPA standards enable informed choices in even the very newest products. The fact is, nobody can simply look at an aftermarket light and know if it truly matches the car company brand part or fully complies with FMVSS 108—that’s why CAPA’s independent certification program is so important,” said Gillis.

The CAPA 301 Lighting Standard include: headlamps, taillamps, stop lamps, turn signals, and fog lamps. Parts that have been certified to the CAPA Lighting Standard are clearly marked with CAPA’s unique, tamper-proof Quality Seal. The CAPA Seal, each with a unique number, represents independent verification of both compliance to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 and comparable performance to the car company brand parts.

Like all CAPA Standards, the updated CAPA 301 Lighting Standard test procedures and tolerances are available to the public at no charge via the CAPA website. “Full transparency is a critically important component of the CAPA Certification Program,” said Gillis.

For further information, contact debbie@CAPAcert ified.org.