NASTF Plans Spring Meeting

The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) has announced that its spring meeting will be held April 15 at 2 p.m. at the Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit.

Charlie Gorman, NASTF chairman, said the meeting will consist of committee updates and an overview of the new Secure Data Release Model (SDRM), covering everything from how to fill out the forms and receive a Locksmith Identification (LSID) to how to administer the LSID account and access key codes. There will be time to answer questions from participants. Gorman urges everyone who can make it to attend the meeting. No meeting registration is required.

For more information, go to the NASTF Web site, www.nastf.org.

I-CAR to Meet July 24-26

I-CAR's International Annual Meeting will be held this year at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Ariz., July 24-26. I-CAR each year tries to bring together all segments of the collision industry, including collision repair businesses, insurance companies, vehicle makers, dealership groups, associations, education training and research organizations, equipment and material manufacturers, recyclers, glass installers, and the industry press.

MACS Reminds Us of Law

From the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide comes a reminder that federal law requires anyone who opens the refrigerant pressure circuit for compensation must be certified under Section 609 of the Clean Air Act.

A shop can face serious fines for allowing employees who are not certified to do this work. Technicians must have their certification available for inspection during the work.

The same law prohibits venting refrigerant to the atmosphere. All refrigerant must be recovered. After recycling, it can be reused in a vehicle. If not recycled in the shop, the refrigerant must be sent to a reclaiming facility.

For more information, visit www.macsw.org.

Like to See, Hear More About Parts?

On page 33 of the March 2008 AutoInc. under "National News," there was a brief story telling about members of ASA's Mechanical Division, accompanied by various ASA staff members, who traveled to Terrell and Longview, Texas, to get a better understanding of the parts distribution process. They visited an AutoZone parts distribution center in Terrell and ABC Parts Warehouse in Longview.

If you would like to see full photo coverage of the trip and read more about it, click on www.ASAshop.org/AZscrapbook/pics/pic01.htm

AutoInc. staffer Lisa McReynolds accompanied the group and shot all of the photographs. They'll help you understand exactly what took place. And if you'd like to hear even more about parts and parts quality, be sure to attend ASA's Annual Convention May 1-3 in Santa Clara, Calif. There is going to be a forum on parts quality.

For more information on the annual convention, visit www.ASAshop.org/Annual08.

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