ASA, SCRS, Alliance for Automotive Innovation Propose “SAFE Repair Act”
The Automotive Service Association, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation have proposed legislation addressing vehicle repair data access, according to a news release.
In a letter to Congress, the groups outlined their proposal for the Safety as First Emphasis—or SAFE—Repair Act, which is meant to build upon a 2014 national agreement that independent repairers may have access to the same data made available to dealers. The agreement was recently affirmed by the coalition in 2023.
The REPAIR Act failed to adequately address safety, said the recent ASA release, arguing that while the REPAIR Act mandated access to repair data, it said nothing about a consumer’s right to ensure it’s being used to restore a vehicle’s safety systems or structure to full functionality.
Some features of the bill include an extension of the same recall and safety protections for OEM parts to customers using non-OEM parts; requiring disclosure of prior alterations or repairs on a used vehicle; and support for periodic safety inspection and post-collision inspection programs.
“While... existing frameworks have created a thriving and competitive repair marketplace, we understand the desire for a federal legislative solution that addresses evolving consumer expectations and technological advancements,” wrote the coalition in its letter. “That’s why our three organizations have come together to propose a new path forward – one that builds on existing protections while introducing additional measures to prioritize consumer safety and choice.”
