PartsChannel Earns Certification via NSF Automotive Collision Parts DC Program

NSF International, an independent testing and certification organization with more than 20 years of automotive experience, has certified PartsChannel Inc. under the NSF Automotive Collision Parts Distributor Certification Program, a program that certifies distributors who sell automotive collision parts.

The NSF Automotive Collision Parts Distributor Certification Program requires that distributors have quality management systems in place that address parts traceability, service and quality. The program helps close the gap in the supply chain between parts manufacturers and body shops and was developed in response to the needs of collision repair shops, insurers and ultimately consumers.

PartsChannel Inc., a distributor serving the collision repair industry since 1985, is one of the first companies to earn this automotive parts distributor certification from NSF International.

Certification Requirements
To earn certification, PartsChannel Inc. demonstrated that it has effective records systems and inventory tracking systems to track orders and parts through the supply chain. PartsChannel Inc. also met the following criteria as required by the NSF automotive distributor program:

• an ISO 9001-certified quality management system,
• a parts traceability and inventory tracking system,
• a defective parts procedure including a customer part complaint process,
• the ability to administer a manufacturer’s recall, and
• when necessary, a formal corrective action to complaints and an immediate recall plan.

Benefits of Certification
Having met all of the certification requirements, PartsChannel Inc. 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. PartsChannel Inc. also appears in NSF’s online certification listings and will undergo ongoing quality system inspections to maintain certification.

“Launched in July as an extension of NSF International’s Automotive Collision Replacement Parts Certification Program, the NSF automotive distributor certification program certifies the ability of distributors, including PartsChannel Inc., 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.

“We are honored to be among the first in what we see as the most beneficial industry-wide program to help increase the professional standing of distributors,” said PartsChannel Inc. Chief Executive Officer John M. Palumbo. “We feel NSF International’s unique program, which continually monitors the stringent quality assurance processes within any parts distribution operation, will greatly benefit our customers.”

NSF Automotive Parts Distributor Certification
The distributor 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, plastic, lighting and absorbers). The latter program certifies that the parts meet rigid quality, safety and performance standards in terms of form, fit and function.
NSF International, through NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd. is one of the largest management systems registrars (ISO) to the auto industry. NSF-ISR is recognized by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) to provide ISO/TS 16949 certification in the automotive sector and provides certifications to the following: ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001 in addition to other standards.

Contact information: For more information about NSF’s Automotive Parts Certification Programs email Bob Frayer at frayer@nsf.org or visit nsfautomotive.com.

Media contact: Media can contact Greta Houlahan at houlahan@nsf.org or 734-913-5723.

About NSF International: NSF International is an independent public health and safety organization that writes standards and certifies products for the food, water and consumer goods industries 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 150 countries. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment.

About 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. 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.

PartsChannel Inc.: Partschannel has over 25 years serving the collision repair industry and is the nation’s second largest distributor of aftermarket collision replacement parts with 13 locations serving over 30 markets across the United States. The Company carries a full line of products including bumpers, fenders, grilles, radiators, condensers, lights, mirrors and wheels including a complete line of CAPA and NSF certified products. Additional Information is available at www.partschannel.com.