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CERTIFIED STANDARDS

The Standards outlined below serve as the minimum criteria for becoming a Certified member of the network. All Network participants must comply with these Standards and continuously adhere to them. These standards have been developed based upon generally acepted requirements for operating a collision reapir facility in today's business environment.

  1. Business Requirements
    1. Have a website that identifies its hours of operation, location, and provides basic contact information.
    2. The collision repair facility must provide a written lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship.
    3. The collision repair facility must offer a lifetime paint warranty that is underwritten by its paint vendor.
    4. The collision repair facility must possess Garage Keepers Liability insurance.
    5. The collision repair facility must obtain prior customer authorization for all repairs performed, additional or supplemental repairs, and any adjustments to the final bill.
    6. The collision repair facility must have a preferred rental car provider that offers complimentary customer pick-up and delivery.
    7. The collision repair facility must have a clean and presentable company vehicle to conduct valet "pick-up and delivery" service.
    8. The collision repair facility must measure its Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) by using a CSI service provider and/or by conducting Customer Satisfaction surveys.
    9. Have the ability to process credit cards.
    10. Have the ability to send and receive e-mails, FAXes, and other electronic image files.
    11. Have been in business for a minimum of five (5) years that has the ability to demonstrate its credit rating and service history.
  2. Customer Service
    1. Have an adequate customer parking area. Customer parking areas must be well-lit and on a suitable surface of either pavement or concrete.
    2. Have conveniently located restrooms available for customers that are separate from associate restrooms.
    3. Have an adequate and well-maintained customer reception area.
    4. Have an adequate and well-maintained customer waiting area.
    5. Have hours of operation in a location that is clearly visible from the primary shop entryway.
    6. Clean all vehicle interiors and exteriors before delivery.
  3. Regulatory Compliance
    1. Have at least one eye flushing and washing station.
    2. Must assure that Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are current and can be readily accessed by all employees and emergency responders.
    3. Must provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all of its technicians. PPEs will include items such as painter's coveralls, painter's gloves, cartridge and supplied air respirators, hearing protection, leather gloves, eye protection, dust masks, and any other type of PPE that may be required for a particular work environment.
    4. Must identify the employee(s) responsible for monitoring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as eye protection, respirators, solvent resistant gloves (Certification Standard D42).
    5. The management team has identified the employee(s) responsible for assuring the proper disposal of hazardous waste materials such as waste paint, anti-freeze, and motor oil, and complying with all record-keeping and documentation requirements (Certification Standard D43).
    6. The management team has identified the employee(s) responsible for compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal requirements (Certification Standard D44).
    7. The management team has identified the employee(s) responsible for compliance with the EPA NESHAP 6H rule (Certification Standard D45).
    8. The collision repair facility will assure that hazardous waste containers are properly installed and that all hazardous wastes are disposed of by a licensed and bonded waste hauler. Shops will maintain manifests and any other documents required by federal, state, or local regulations for the storage, use, and disposal of all materials classified as hazardous.
  4. Technical Capability
    1. Have the ability to generate computerized estimates that utilize a recognized parts and labor database.
    2. Have the ability to fully raise a vehicle for inspection (vehicle lift or hoist).
    3. Have a dedicated fixture repair bench or some other type of measuring system capable of providing simultaneous three-dimensional measurements.
    4. Have vehicle dimensional reference specifications covering the current and past ten model years.
    5. Have a vehicle anchoring system that can secure the vehicle in at least four separate locations when performing structural repairs.
    6. Have body alignment equipment that allows technicians to make simultaneous body and structural alignment corrective pulls.
    7. Have a spray enclosure (paint booth) with force drying capabilities that meets local, state, and federal requirements.
    8. Have a paint intermixing system with a full inventory of toners.
    9. Does the collision repair facility use an enclosed, automated paint gun cleaner? If it requires venting, the exhaust duct must lead to the outside, or to an exhaust vent that leads outside.
    10. Has at least one 220-volt Gas Metal Arc (GMA) or Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welder.
    11. Has at least one Squeeze-type Resistance Spot Welder that meets the technical specifications for the vehicles being serviced.
    12. Have all of the collision repair technicians who perform welding tasks completed and passed the I-CAR Steel GMA (MIG) Welding Qualification Series, Structural Repairs (WCS03).
    13. Has an R134a refrigerant recovery and recycling system.
    14. Has proof of Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Section 609 certification for all technicians that service automotive air conditioning equipment.
    15. The collision repair facility can provide proof of painter certification from their refinish material vendor for paint technicians. At a minimum, the lead refinish technician has been trained in the proper application procedures of the refinish materials being utilized.
    16. The collision repair facility can provide proof that staff members have successfully completed technical training from vehicle manufacturers, I-CAR, paint vendors, equipment manufacturers or others, that is appropriate for their job.
    17. Have a training program that includes job-specific skill level guidelines such as the I-CAR Professional Development Program.
    18. Collision repair technicians have received adequate training to properly operate vehicle dimensional measuring equipment.
    19. The collision repair facility has the ability to conduct and verify four-wheel alignment either in-house or through a sublet provider.
    20. The collision repair facility has the ability to remove and replace, or reinstall steering and suspension components, engine and power train units, either in-house or through a sublet provider.
    21. Have the ability to service both active and passive restraint systems, either in-house or through a sublet provider.