SAFE Repair Act Focuses on Consumer Protection 

by Alana Quartuccio

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Auto Innovators) have come together on proposed landmark Right to Repair legislation that puts emphasis on consumer protection.

In late February, the independent repairers and automakers released the following statement, “The Safety as First Emphasis (SAFE) Repair Act guarantees independent repair facilities will continue to have the same ability to perform diagnostic and repair services as franchised auto dealers. The bill will give consumers confidence their vehicles are safely repaired, in well-equipped shops, by well-trained technicians using the repair information made available by automakers.” 

“I’m really proud of what this proposed language represents, in that it addresses very real challenges independent repair businesses face in trying to serve their customer well,” shares SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg. “We’ve received very positive reinforcement from our state associations and a very diverse cross section of repair businesses, all of whom have said the same thing; essentially, ‘Thank you, it’s about time someone addressed consumer safety and choice.’”

The three organizations previously came together in July 2023 to establish an Automotive Repair Data Sharing Commitment on behalf of vehicle owners, which “recognizes and reaffirms the belief that consumers should have access to safe and proper repairs throughout a vehicle’s lifecycle.” It also stated, “Independent repair facilities shall have access to the same diagnostic and repair information that auto manufacturers make available to authorized dealer networks.” 

The SAFE Repair Act intends to build off that agreement. 

A letter addressed to members of Congress on behalf of the proposed legislation expressed their shared commitment to ensuring that consumers have access to safe, proper and transparent vehicle repairs: “The collaboration between our organizations reflects a unified desire to advance consumer safety and choice while addressing the challenges and opportunities in today’s automotive repair landscape.” 

The letter also stated: “While… existing frameworks have created a thriving and competitive repair marketplace, we understand the desire for a federal legislative solution that addresses evolving consumer expectations and technological advancements. That’s why our three organizations have come together to propose a new path forward – one that builds on existing protections while introducing additional measures to prioritize consumer safety and choice.”

Last Congress, policymakers considered the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act. That bill mandated access to tools, data and information but was silent on a consumer’s right to ensure these were utilized to restore a vehicle’s safety systems or structure to full functionality. In fact, safety was never addressed as a priority of the REPAIR Act – but it is a priority of the proposed SAFE Repair Act. 

Just five days after the SAFE Repair Act was introduced, a bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the REPAIR Act in Congress. 

According to the independent repairers’ and automakers’ statement, “Automotive right-to-repair already exists in the United States. Vehicle owners can get their vehicle serviced in well-equipped shops by well-trained technicians anytime, anywhere and any place. This competitive marketplace is possible because automakers make all of the information needed to diagnose and repair a vehicle available to all vehicle repair shops. This means independent repair shops already have access to the same diagnostic and repair information as authorized dealers. As a result, roughly 70 percent of post-warranty work today is completed out of the automakers’ authorized dealer networks.” 

“The reality is the collision repair industry isn’t expressing concerns about not having access to OEM repair information, or concerned that consumers are seeking out alternative parts and being forced to use OEM parts – this is really what the proponents are saying,” adds Schulenburg. “The pressures collision repairers ARE facing is that consumers want their vehicle repaired correctly, and we recognize the industry has access to the resources they need to accomplish that – but there are obstacles put in the way where consumers are penalized if they choose to repair their vehicle at repair businesses using all the information, procedures, tools and parts that are available to them.

 “I think we’ve always felt like if there is a conversation about the ‘Right to Repair,’ it should really be a conversation about the right to receive safe, proper repairs. But it was also important to us to recognize that if we’re going to oppose other bills, it’s equally as important to bring productive and fruitful suggestions on how we can better address the real challenges facing the industry. We wanted to work with other repair groups and with the automakers and collectively present solutions on how we can do a better job to protect consumer choice and protect consumers’ right to have their vehicle repaired safely, following the information that’s already made available to the industry.”

The SAFE Repair Act includes:

•  Affirmation of vehicle data access: Ensures consumers and independent repair shops have data needed to repair vehicles.

•  Empowers consumers: Ensures consumers retain the right to decide where and how their vehicles are repaired.

•  Prioritizes vehicle safety: Guarantees repairs are performed in accordance with manufacturer-produced repair procedures to restore vehicle safety systems and structural integrity.

•  Offers part choices: Ensures consumers have a choice between original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and non-OEM repair parts.

•  Protects non-OEM choices: Extends the same recall and safety protections to customers choosing non-OEM parts as currently available for customers choosing OEM parts.

•  Enhances transparency: Requires disclosure of prior alterations or repairs for used vehicles.

•  Promotes inspection programs: Supports periodic safety inspection and post-collision inspection programs to safeguard against unsafe or improper repairs.

To read more on the SAFE Repair Act, please visit bit.ly/SAFERepairAct.

Want more? Check out the April 2025 issue of Hammer & Dolly!