Contact:	Caroline Holland (202) 543-1440 c.holland@att.net
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-26 May 1, 2008

EPA Summit to Host
Paint Regulation Compliance Session

ASA Compliance Summary Available

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 1, 2008 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold its 2008 Environmental Summit in Washington, D.C., later this month. The EPA’s Environmental Assistance Network (EAN) will sponsor a special session May 21 to discuss environmental assistance opportunities and needs. The session will focus on the retail sector and paints and coating area sources.

The U.S. EPA Web site currently contains a wide range of compliance, sustainability and pollution prevention materials available for the retail sector of the industry. However, the EAN plans to discuss how this information may be consolidated through the development of an agency-wide retail sector Web portal. This idea and others aimed at making materials more accessible will be discussed.

The EPA released the paint stripping miscellaneous surface coating regulation Jan. 1, 2008. Approximately 60,000 auto body repair shops must comply with this regulation by 2011. The EPA has developed training and outreach programs to assist with compliance.

The Automotive Service Association also developed a Paint Regulation Compliance Summary. This outline is available to ASA members in the “Members Only” section of the ASA Web site, www.ASAshop.org. To view the entire refinishing regulation, visit ASA’s legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com. Excerpts from the U.S. EPA Web site containing compliance, sustainability and pollution prevention materials can be found on ASA’s Web site in the “Press Center” under “References and Bills.”

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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