ANN ARBOR, Mich. – NSF International has certified the first automotive parts distributor under the new NSF International Automotive Parts Distributor Certification Program, which certifies distributors who sell automotive collision parts. The program addresses the needs of collision repair shops, insurers and ultimately consumers, as it requires distributors to have quality management systems in place that address parts traceability, service and quality.
The NSF Automotive Parts Distributor Certification Program helps close the gap in the supply chain between part manufacturers and body shops. LKQ Corporation, a distributor of collision parts, is the first company to earn this automotive parts distributor certification from NSF International.
Certification Requirements
The NSF Automotive Parts Distributor Certification Program requires formal corrective action to complaints and an immediate recall plan, if necessary. To earn certification, LKQ was required to demonstrate that it has effective records systems and inventory tracking systems to track orders and parts through the supply chain. LKQ also met the following criteria as required by NSF:
- an ISO 9001-certified quality management system,
- a part traceability and inventory tracking system,
- a defective parts procedure including a customer part complaint process, and
- the ability to administer a manufacturer’s recall.
Benefits of Certification
Having met all of the certification requirements, LKQ 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. LKQ also is included in NSF’s online certification listings and will undergo ongoing quality system inspections to maintain certification.
NSF Automotive Collision Replacement Parts Certification
The NSF Automotive Parts Distributor Certification 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, lighting and absorbers). The latter program certifies that the parts meet rigid quality, safety and performance standards in terms of form, fit and function.
“Launched in July as an extension of NSF International’s public health and safety mission, the NSF Automotive Parts Distributor Certification Program certifies the ability of distributors, such as LKQ, 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 and Engineering Laboratories. “Through their certification, LKQ Corporation has demonstrated their commitment to the NSF Automotive Parts Distributor Certification Program and their support for the program’s rigid performance standards.”
“LKQ Corporation is proud to be the first NSF certified distributor under the NSF Automotive Parts Distributor Certification Program. We believe NSF’s unique program adds another stringent quality assurance process within parts distribution that ultimately benefits our customers,” said Terry Fortner, LKQ Vice President of Industry Relations and Market Development.
Contact information: For more information about NSF’s Automotive Parts Certification Programs email Bob Frayer, call 734-827-6825 or visitnsfautomotive.com.
Editor’s Note: To arrange a media interview contact Kelly Nichols at knichols@nsf.org or 734-827-6850.
About NSF International: NSF International is an independent public health and safety organization that certifies products and writes standards for food, water and consumer goods to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide and operates in more than 120 countries. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment.
Additional NSF services include sustainability standards development, claims and product verification services through NSF Sustainability, as well as testing and certification programs for food equipment, drinking water system components/treatment chemicals, bottled water, dietary supplements andconsumer product industries. Additionally, NSF provides food safety audits, food safety training, GMP training for the dietary supplement industry,pharmaceutical industry training from NSF-DBA, and GLP and GMP contract laboratory R&D services from NSF Pharmalytica.
About NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd (NSF-ISR): NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR), an NSF International Company, offers a comprehensive portfolio of management systems registration solutions to meet the demands of the global marketplace (nsf-isr.org). NSF-ISR is recognized by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) to provide ISO/TS 16949 registrations in the automotive sector. Additionally, NSF-ISR offersAutomotive Parts Certification Programs. NSF-ISR provides registrations for the following programs: ISO 9001, AS 9100/10/20, ISO 13485, ISO 20000-1, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, ISO 14001, Responsible Care (RC) 14001, Responsible Care Management Systems (RCMS), OHSAS 18001, American Tree Farm System and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) through ANAB accreditation as well as Greenhouse Gas Verification/Validation and SFI Chain of Custody (CoC) through ANSI accreditation.
About LKQ Corporation: LKQ Corporation is the largest nationwide provider of aftermarket and recycled collision replacement parts and refurbished collision replacement products such as wheels, bumper covers and lights, and a leading provider of mechanical replacement parts including remanufactured engines, all in connection with the repair of automobiles and other vehicles (lkqcorp.com). LKQ also has operations in the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and Central America. LKQ operates more than 430 facilities, offering its customers a broad range of replacement systems, components and parts to repair automobiles and light, medium and heavy-duty trucks.
