United Recyclers Group (URG) and Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) entered into a partnership agreement that will redefine industry standards with a new quality assurance program for professional automotive recyclers. The agreement was signed at the recent United Recyclers Group Annual Conference and represents collaborative discussions that have taken place over the past year about what a unified quality assurance program might look like.
“This agreement represents a new path forward in industry collaboration and excellence,” said ARA executive director, Vince Edivan. “Using the work that both organizations have done in this area, we look forward to continuing to work together to develop and promote this new program. By combining the strengths of both organizations, we’re laying the groundwork for a unified quality assurance program that will benefit recyclers, repairers and consumers alike.”
“With a shared commitment to excellence and building upon the framework we have established through discussion over the past year, URG and ARA will work side by side to drive positive change within our industry,” said Kristi Werner, chief executive officer at URG. “This joint effort marks the beginning of a new era in automotive recycling. We’re proud to be working with ARA to create a program that reflects the real value and professionalism of modern recyclers.”
The journey towards this milestone has been marked by unwavering dedication from representatives of both organizations. Building on the work of ARA’s CAR Certification and Gold Seal program and URG’s ISO 900, the new quality assurance program will reflect a collective dedication to advancing industry best practices and standardization and to gain recognition across insurance, collision, and mechanical sectors, the program reflects a shared commitment to raising the profile of certified professional recyclers and reflects a collective dedication to advancing industry best practices and standardization.
URG and ARA will continue working together over the coming months to finalize the certification framework, pilot the program with select yards, and launch the first phase of implementation.
Published June 2025
