Representatives of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) met in Las Vegas for a press conference to discuss new initiatives, goals and partnerships involving the three organizations. The press conference was held Nov. 6 during ASA’s NACE and CARS events – co-located as part of the inaugural Automotive Service and Repair Week.
MORE ON ASA AT NACE
- NACE, CARS attendance figures released, link
- ASA Collision Division names Technician of the Year, link
|
Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative, outlined the association’s focus for 2009, including insurance legislation at a federal level that includes property and casualty insurance regulation, and airbag fraud, as recently illustrated in the National Public Radio news story, “Air Bag Fraud: Underreported ‘Life and Death Scam.’” Redding said ASA’s D.C. office has started working with members of Congress on these initiatives.
Holly Wilson, national coordinator for the EPA’s Collision Repair Campaign, outlined the work her agency is doing with ASA and the National Automobile Dealers Association to address environmental and health issues within auto body businesses. The Collision Repair Campaign is designed to assist these businesses in achieving compliance through training and technical assistance. Through the EPA Web site, www.epa.gov/air/toxicair/community/collision.html, shops will be able to obtain free training, notification of rule revisions, free technical assistance and self-audit checklists, among other tools.
The ability to work hand-in-hand with groups such as ASA and NADA are “critical” to the success of the EPA’s program, Wilson emphasized, by “getting out the message” to as many shop owners as possible.
“Environmental benefit doesn’t stop at the rule,” Wilson said. Through these partnerships, she added, the EPA was gaining the insight and expertise of industry professionals who, in turn, are helping the agency write technical materials. All these efforts help businesses and the EPA reach the goal of cleaner, safer communities.
Denise Caspersen, ASA Collision Division manager, gave an overview of the Collision Division Operations Committee’s focus points for 2009, which will include estimating systems, labor rate surveys, shop licensing, paint caps and replacement of crash parts.
Caspersen said each of these focus points fall under the federal insurance initiative ASA is following. She also indicated that the committee was committed to strengthening relationships with other organizations such as I-CAR, suppliers, recyclers, information providers and insurers.
Dan Stander, chairman of ASA’s Refinish Subcommittee and co-owner of Jerry Stander’s Collision Works in Littleton, Colo., also took the stage to highlight his group’s work for the past year, including the creation of a new refinish flier, new position statements on blending, work on zone refinish fliers and successful meetings with Audatex and Progressive Insurance.
