Dec. 13, 2002 After almost five hours of debate, the Ontario legislature unanimously approved into law, the Collision Repair Standards Act, 2002.

The Act provides for industry self-management of the collision, auto body and auto refinishing industry. It authorizes an industry advisory board comprised of 10 members (4 from collision repair, 4 public members and 2 government rep.’s) to oversee the introduction of standards for the industry. The Board, based on the collision shop's compliance with those standards, recommends to the Minister for the shop to be accredited or not accredited. All shops doing collision work must be accredited and failure to do so can mean fines up to $50,000 or 6 months jail or both.
It is expected that many of the shop standards will follow the Collision Industry Standards Council of Ontario recommendations. Those standards largely reflect standards already in use in western Canada.

The Act provides that all shops meet industry standards, consumers can have their vehicle repaired at a shop of their choice, and that both the insurer and car owner must release the vehicle to a repair shop prior to any insurance payment for repair being made. The Act also includes a mandatory "Bill of Rights" to be supplied to customers that includes information on the customer's right to safe repair, right to a shop of their choice, an advisory that they do not have to use an insurance company's recommended shop (although they can if they wish), a declaration of whether parts used are OEM or aftermarket, and a statement from the shop that the repair has been made in accordance with all applicable safety standards.