Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s, D-Calif., Access to Repair Parts Act, H.R. 3059, is soon to be considered in the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) said it opposes this legislation because it makes no assurances for the quality and safety of non-OEM parts, and because the bill would deny businesses the ability to protect their intellectual property.

ASA, along with other associations, wrote a letter in 2009 opposing Lofgren’s bill. The letter is available on ASA’s legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com.

In the Nov. 18, 2009, letter to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, signors said: “Manufacturers of unlicensed automobile parts have to meet only one basic threshold, to produce a copy that looks similar to an original part. Those who produce such parts incur no costs attributable to original design, research and development and most importantly, product safety testing. Accordingly, the manufacturer of the original product for whom such unlicensed replacement parts are made does not know how these parts will perform and how their use will impact the quality and integrity of the original product. Automotive collision repairers are very concerned about the quality of replacement crash parts. Permitting this intellectual property infringement also exposes consumers to significant safety, performance or durability risks.”

ASA has drafted a letter of opposition for repairers to send to their representatives. To send the letter, visit www.TakingTheHill.com and go to the Current Alerts tab.

For additional information about ASA, go to www.ASAshop.org.