United Recyclers Group (URG) has streamlined the accreditation process for the automotive recycling industry - the first major change to the accreditation standards since being introduced by URG in the late 1990s. Inspiration for the change came from a study of ISO 9000, an internationally recognized set of quality management standards that require both internal and external assessment. 

Driving the changes was a desire to better serve members, said Michelle Alexander, director of the URG Advisory Board. "We want to simplify the process of accreditation and make it attainable for a greater number of our members. Without lowering standards, we have been able to do this by simplifying the process and making it more affordable. We think the outcome of this effort will be that more automotive recycling organizations will make the decision to take part in the accreditation process."

The accreditation process streamlining effort was driven by Robert Counts, president of Counts Consulting, a well known leader in the automotive recycling industry. "ISO 9000 is a set of world class quality management standards that are widely recognized, and it inspired us to identify and then codify a set of best practices within the automotive recycling industry. What we now have are a uniform set of standards that are specific to the industry, and can be replicated from one company to the next, across the industry."

The revised URG accreditation program requires certified companies conduct business according to prescribed standard that require them to do the following: Establish requirement, plan activities, control processes, verify that requirements are met, rectify and prevent errors, keep records, require employee training, conduct internal reviews, us an independent firm to conduct customer satisfaction surveys, and pass an annual certification audit conducted by an outside firm.

According to Alexander, "Having world class accreditation standards for automotive recycling industry improves business. Going through the accreditation process forces a firm to take a hard look at what they do, and make changes - good, necessary changes that will improve customer service and result in more business. The insurance industry, for instance, loves these standards because they know the value of the accreditation process. That is why URG is marketing this accreditation process to the insurance industry, and seeking their support.

Speaking for URG members, Alexander continued: "This effort raises the profile of the automotive recycling industry because it separates us from people who just run a junkyard. We run our businesses with best practices, and use methodologies that most businesses use. All of the auto industry has gone to standards, and every time new ones come out they are even more focused on better quality."