First bodyshops get certified

The first bodyshops in Ireland were awarded the new 'Certified Steel Standard' (CSS) which is the new voluntary standards programme for professional bodyshops in Ireland. The standard, the first of its kind, was developed by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) and is supported by the Road Safety Authority.

To achieve CSS certification, a bodyshop must pass an independent audit of their personnel, equipment, the suitability of their repair methods and the quality of their repair materials, which are inspected against set criteria.

The newly awarded bodyshops were presented with their accreditation in Dublin Institute of Technology by SIMI President Alan Lyons.

The bodyshops awarded with CSS accreditation represented a variety of counties, Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Tipperary, Wicklow and Wexford. SIMI expects that this new standard will become best practice in the Industry. There should be a nationwide network of certified CSS bodyshops by early next year.

Pictured are Alan Lyons, SIMI President with Noel brett, CEO of the Road Safety Authority at the CSS presentation in DIT.