According to the Downers Grove, Ill.-based Alliance, figures from the Certified Automotive Parts Association, the Washington-based parts certification group, show CAPA received complaints on only 0.02 percent of the approximately 1.5 million parts that it certified in 2001.

The Alliance noted that the figure is similar to the complaint rate CAPA has registered over the past several years. The group noted that since 1995, the complaint ratio has never exceeded 0.08 percent.

"For many years it has been the Alliance's contention that certified generic automobile crash parts are of excellent quality," said Kirk Hansen, Alliance director of claims. "This most recent complaint data further supports our belief that insurers should have the freedom to use independently certified aftermarket parts in vehicle repairs."

Auto parts tested by CAPA are produced by independent manufacturers. Since 1992, CAPA has used Entela Labs, the same lab used by car companies, to develop standards and inspect auto parts. To earn its seal of approval, a part must pass stringent tests to assure that it is at least equal, or superior, to its car company counterpart, CAPA said.

After the first three months of 2002, CAPA is achieving similar results, the group said. With 357,548 parts certified during the first quarter of 2002, only 94 complaints were registered, resulting in a complaint ratio of 0.03 percent.

CAPA said it has more than 500 metal and plastic parts from 14 replacement parts makers in its new part approval process. Once a part is tested, the manufacturer can put the CAPA seal on it.

CAPA said the testing includes fit, finish, paint adhesion, coating performance, weld integrity adhesive performance, and corrosion tests.

CAPA said it is expanding its certification program to include more parts and new standards. Currently, three specifications that set quality standards for metal, plastic and lighting parts are in place.

Washington-based CAPA is funded 50 percent by insurers and 50 percent by parts manufacturers. Its members include repairers and parts distributors and the consumer groups, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and Center for Auto Safety