Collision Repair Facilities Accreditation On Track

TORONTO, March 25

The development of a proposal for the accreditation of collision repair and auto refinish shops in Ontario is the focus of a joint working group of the Collision Industry Standards Council of Ontario (CISCO) and the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).

Both organizations responded positively to a call from the Honourable Rob Sampson, Minister without Portfolio with Responsibility for Privatization and government lead on auto insurance, to build on the work done by CISCO. He urged them to jointly develop a system which ``will significantly benefit Ontario consumers and would be welcomed and supported by collision repair shops and insurers alike.''

Discussions currently underway relate to proposed legislation that would require all collision repair and auto refinish facilities in the province to be licensed and to meet specific standards including environmental standards, trade certification and conformity to municipal laws. Furthermore, the proposal would require that shops meet certain equipment and business operating standards.

``These discussions are positive and represent a `good faith' approach by both sides to come to agreements that will be beneficial to consumers in Ontario'' said Alex Szabo, CISCO's new President. CISCO represents collision repair and auto refinish facilities across Ontario.

`The insurance industry supports an accreditation program to ensure that all consumers have access to quality collision repair facilities,'' said Stan Griffin, IBC Vice President, Ontario.

In letters to CISCO and IBC dated March 10, 1999, Minister Sampson re-iterated his support for this initiative and indicated that if the objectives of safety, quality, fairness and enforcement are met, he would be prepared to recommend to government that steps be taken to make the program mandatory across the province.

The organizations expect to submit a joint program proposal to Minister Sampson in early spring. For further information: Alex Szabo, President, CISCO, (905) 627-5458; Stan Griffin, Vice President, Ontario, IBC, (416) 362-2031 ext. 327