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Letter to the Editor

CAPA to Expand Standards to Include Lighting

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) is expanding its list of certified replacement parts to include selected lighting components. At its meeting on November 30, the CAPA Board reviewed various avenues for expansion of its quality standards program and approved the development of a lighting standard. Future CAPA-certified lighting products will address the fit, finish, and performance concerns expressed by repairers. Current CAPA standards cover sheet metal and plastic collision repair parts.

"The combination of dramatically increasing automaker lighting prices and concerns about the quality of some aftermarket brand lighting products has created a strong market demand for a fairly priced, high quality alternative," said Butch Viccellio, CAPA's board president. "CAPA is well positioned, in cooperation with the industry, to develop a set of standards that would enable manufacturers of competitive parts to demonstrate to the public their high quality."

CAPA has already begun the process of developing the standards and will be accelerating its efforts to provide the public with this information. The goal is to have a CAPA standard in place by early 2002. This will enable manufacturers to begin offering certified lighting in the marketplace by mid-year.

Because of CAPA's more stringent vehicle test fit process, collision repairers may give CAPA certified parts another look. "Our goal has always been to insure that all CAPA certified parts work for the collision repairer," said CAPA executive director, Jack Gillis. "We've heard from both repairers and insurers that there is a strong desire to use competitive lighting, but the parts must fit. The CAPA standards will not only confirm compliance with the applicable FMVSS and SAE requirements, but meet CAPA requirements for material, appearance and strength standards, as well as the all-important compliance with our rigid vehicle test fit."

The Certified Automotive Parts Association is a non-profit organization established in 1987 to develop and oversee a testing and inspection program for certifying the quality of aftermarket body parts used for auto body repairs.

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