CAPA passes aftermarket test standard

Nov. 3, 2010—Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) announced on Wednesday the approval of the CAPA 501 Standard for the certification of aftermarket parts.

The CAPA 501 Standard was approved by the CAPA Technical Committee, which began planning the standard in April 2009. The standard applies to steel bumpers, steel reinforcements, bumper brackets and energy absorbers, according to a CAPA press release_notes. The standard is based on the comparative testing of an aftermarket part to its equivalent OE part. Specifications include material composition, mechanical properties (strength), corrosion resistance, dimensions, resistance, welding, fasteners, Vehicle Test Fit (VTF) and stress testing.

“There is a real need for a certification standard which identifies bumper parts that are truly comparable to the car company’s brand parts,” said Jack Gillis, executive director of CAPA. “The industry can be assured that bumper parts meeting the CAPA 501 Standard have demonstrated comparable performance across the board.”