Gold Seal 2.0 is designed to address the needs of today’s recycling and collision industries.
During the OARA Roundtable Discussion that previewed the 2025 OARA Convention, a key topic of debate was the amount of used parts used in repairs in Ontario, and how recyclers and collision centres can create a system where expectations are set, to avoid disappointments, delays and parts returns. This is becoming a real issue for the industry, especially as we’re seeing more interest from insurers and collision centres in working with auto recyclers to help meet sustainability targets as well as alleviate any potential supply chain issues, since these parts can often be sourced locally, saving collision centres and insurers both time and money.
Setting a clear standard for parts quality is becoming ever more critical. (Credit : Huw Evans)
Key metrics
At ARC, there has been a Gold Seal standard in place for recycled parts since 2012. The trouble is that in today’s complex environment, it doesn’t go far enough in addressing major metrics such as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), as well as having an active complaints process that can help address issues such as parts delays or quality issues.
These are genuine concerns and as time has gone on, we’ve seen more and more industry feedback about the need to establish a clear and concise quality standard for recycled parts, since too often, collision centres end up with parts which aren’t what they thought they ordered. These kinds of issues require parts to be frequently returned, which puts pressure on all stakeholders and negatively impacts relationships as well as the supply chain. This is a major reason why ARC has been actively developing a Gold Seal 2.0 initiative.
Review, understand and train
This is a document in which every recycling facility will have to review, understand and be trained upon to implement the standards contained within it. The aim of Gold Seal 2.0 is to provide collision centres and insurers comfort in knowing the parts they are getting are exactly what’s advertised. Achieving this will require better communication across the industry, including between recyclers, insurers and collision centres, as well as a clear and consistent method to prevent sub-standard practices when it comes to parts utilization.
So far, it’s been very encouraging, and we’ve seen that insurers are increasingly wanting to work with us to supply replacement parts to collision centres. For it all to succeed however, we need a clear standard in determining parts quality as well as recycler operating practices, and Gold Seal 2.0 is designed to establish that.
Moving forward
As you read these words the program is moving forward. At OARA and ARC, we’ve sent out provisional documents to gain insight and input from the industry and key stakeholders and it is a priority project for the association. The goal is to have the Gold Seal 2.0 document completed in time for the 2026 OARA Convention and we’re hoping that it will represent a key part of the next stage of evolution for auto recycling, ensuring a smoother process where parts quality is consistent across the board, leading to shorter cycle times, better quality repairs and better results for everyone involved in the auto recycling and collision repair process.
by Wally Dingman
Article first appeared in Autosphere September 2025.