NSF International certifies PartsChannel

The NSF Automotive Collision Parts Distributor Certification Program requires that distributors have quality management systems in place that address parts traceability, service and quality. The program helps close the gap in the supply chain between parts manufacturers and body shops and was developed in response to the needs of collision repair shops, insurers and ultimately consumers.

PartsChannel Inc., a distributor serving the collision repair industry since 1985, is one of the first companies to earn this automotive parts distributor certification from NSF International.

Certification Requirements

To earn certification, PartsChannel Inc. demonstrated that it has effective records systems and inventory tracking systems to track orders and parts through the supply chain. PartsChannel Inc. also met the following criteria as required by the NSF automotive distributor program:

• an ISO 9001-certified quality management system,
  
• a parts traceability and inventory tracking system,
  
• a defective parts procedure including a customer part complaint process,
  
• the ability to administer a manufacturer’s recall, and
  
• when necessary, a formal corrective action to complaints and an immediate recall plan.

Benefits of Certification

Having met all of the certification requirements, PartsChannel Inc. is now able to use the NSF Certified Distributor mark on its website and promotional materials, which indicates it is an NSF automotive parts certified distributor. PartsChannel Inc. also appears in NSF’s online certification listings and will undergo ongoing quality system inspections to maintain certification.

“Launched in July as an extension of NSF International’s Automotive Collision Replacement Parts Certification Program, the NSF automotive distributor certification program certifies the ability of distributors, including PartsChannel Inc., to meet rigid performance standards including having an effective system to track orders and parts,” said Bob Frayer, Director of NSF International’s Automotive Parts Certification Programs.

“We are honored to be among the first in what we see as the most beneficial industry-wide program to help increase the professional standing of distributors,” said PartsChannel Inc. Chief Executive Officer John M. Palumbo. “We feel NSF International’s unique program, which continually monitors the stringent quality assurance processes within any parts distribution operation, will greatly benefit our customers.”

NSF Automotive Parts Distributor Certification

The distributor program complements the NSF Automotive Collision Replacement Parts Certification Program, which certifies the actual automotive collision replacement parts (e.g. steel bumpers, step bumpers, brackets, rebars, sheet metal, plastic, lighting and absorbers). The latter program certifies that the parts meet rigid quality, safety and performance standards in terms of form, fit and function.

NSF International, through NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd. is one of the largest management systems registrars (ISO) to the auto industry. NSF-ISR is recognized by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) to provide ISO/TS 16949 certification in the automotive sector and provides certifications to the following: ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001 in addition to other standards.

For more information about NSF’s Automotive Parts Certification Programs email Bob Frayer at [email protected] or visit nsfautomotive.com. Additional Information is available at www.partschannel.com.