Though a new certification program which equates quality repairs with following OEM procedures (if not necessarily specific OEM equipment brands) rather than indirect factors like KPIs is an admirable concept, the pedigrees of its developers and auditors might make some shops and automakers wary.

Careers of parties involved in the certification program’s protocol and execution include the kind of industries automakers and some shops have criticized as bad for drivers: insurers and aftermarket manufacturers. The panel creating the NSF protocol also includes members with history in the controversial collision repairer MSO subset.

Finally, NSF automotive certification business unit manager and protocol panelist Alton Lee’s pre-NSF career includes years in quality control at Owens-Illinois but no discernable professional time in the auto industry. (However, his boss, NSF automotive certification Global Managing Director Bob Frayer has been an automotive engineer for two companies which today manufacture both OEM and aftermarket parts.)

Asked about these backgrounds, NSF automotive certification Global Managing Director Bob Frayer released the following:

“As an internationally recognized developer of more than 90 public health and safety standards, NSF International’s role is to convene world class experts in a given field and facilitate the development of the protocols and standards by which certification is offered,” Frayer said in a statement.

“Specific to the development of the Automotive Collision Repair Shop Certification protocol, the inter-industry experts who served on the NSF technical committee have well over 130 years of combined collision industry experience in the areas of collision repair, training (I-CAR) and standard development.

“For over 70 years, NSF International has been facilitating the development of standards, conducting audits, providing training and education programs for a wide range of products for the automotive, food, water and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health and safety effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide.

“With the addition of the repair shop certification, NSF is providing a comprehensive program for the entire supply chain including manufacturers of automotive parts, collision parts distributors and now collision repair shops as well. Given the voluntary nature of this program, the market will ultimately judge the value of the program.”

Here’s the major players’ resume details, based on LinkedIn profiles, official bios and the NSF webinar Wednesday:

Development panel

Alton Lee, automotive certification business unit manager, NSF: Owens-Illinois finished products manager, quality manager and assistant quality manager, SAP Central Region lead (software introduction), project engineer, 2009-14.

Roger Wright, founder of Vector Squared: Also vice president of operations, Sterling Autobody Centers (then under Allstate), 2009-14; vice president of claims, AIG, 2003-2009; CARSTAR senior vice president, 2000-03; director of insurance relations, Collision Team of America, 1997-2000; Integon GMAC Insurance assistant vice president of claims, 1994-97.

Nick Notte, International Paintless Dent Repair chief operating officer: Also new I-CAR finance/operations director; president of Sterling Autobody Centers (still under Allstate), 2009-14; Allstate director of auto claims, 2007-08; sales director of Nobilas North America under Akzo Nobel, 2005-07.

Jim Smith, president, Automotive Body Parts Association: Also owner, JSC Group, 2007-present; NSF consultant-insurance industry relations, 2009-13; LKQ regional manager, 2004-07; operations manager, industry relations manager, Midwest Fender/Action Crash Parts, 1998-2004.

Auditors

Doug Irish, president and CEO, Accuracy Driven4: Also president, VeriFacts, 2012-14; MetLife claim technical development administrator, claim technical administrator, material damage specialist supervisor, field appraiser 1993-2001, 2005-12; Army specialist, 1979-82.

Audie Swedeen, executive vice president and chief operating officer, AccuracyDriven4: Also independent multi-lines/catastrophe adjuster, Pilot Catastrophe Service, 2008-14; VeriFacts director of operations, 2009-14; I-CAR director of qualification testing, 1994-07.

Overseer

Robert Frayer, NSF automotive certification global managing director: Also director of research and development, manager of technical center and production engineering services, NTN Technical Center; supervisor of mechanical research, research engineer, Federal Mogul; member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers; member, American Society for Testing and Materials; member, Society of Automotive Engineers; member, National Society of Professional Engineers; member, Automotive Body Parts Association. (Dates unclear)