The first bodyshops in Ireland have been awarded the new Certified Steel Standard (CSS) the new voluntary standard programme for professional bodyshops in Ireland undertaking structural repairs.

CSS has been developed by the SIMI (Society of the Irish Motor Industry) and is supported by the RSA (Road Safety Authority). To achieve CSS certification, a bodyshop must pass an independent audit of their personnel, equipment and the suitability of their repair methods and the quality of their repair materials.

Bodyshops operators were presented with their accreditation in DIT (Dublin Institute of Technology) by SIMI President, Alan Lyons. He commented, “These bodyshops should be commended for their efforts in raising the standards in their Industry. They have invested in state-of-the art equipment to repair crashed vehicles to the highest quality.”

The bodyshops receiving CSS accreditation represent a variety of counties including, Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Tipperary, Wicklow and Wexford. SIMI hopes that this new standard will become best practice in the industry and that a nationwide network of certified CSS bodyshops can be put in place by early next year.

Speaking at the event, Noel Brett, CEO of the RSA said, “It is vital that all crash damaged vehicles are repaired professionally to the manufacturer's specification. CSS provides written assurance that the vehicle has been professionally repaired to the manufacturer’s specification using certified parts.” He added: "I also wish to congratulate the eight professional repairers who achieved certification today. They are setting a path for others to follow and I urge them and the others who follow them, to display their certificates clearly in their premises so that customers, insurance companies and other bodyshop repairers can see their commitment to the delivery of the highest standards of service and professionalism.”

The bodyshops to receive the first accreditations were;

 -         Whitty Autobody Accident Repair Centre, Wexford

-         Ashmore Ryder Ltd, Dublin 4

-         Denning's Cars Ltd, Dublin 6W

-         Jamie Lawlor Crash Repairs Ltd, Tipperary

-         Armstrong Body Repairs Ltd, Wicklow

-         Pratt's Auto Bodyshop, Carlow

-         Smith & Branigan Motors, Dublin

-         Kildare Crash Centre Ltd, Kildare