WERC joins the global Right to Repair movement

The World Engine Remanufacturers’ Council (WERC), of which the Automotive Remanufacturers’ Association (ARA) is the residing President, is one of the newest organisations to join other global association leaders to support the critical global right to repair movement by signing the new right to repair position statement which was released in March. The statement outlines the core beliefs of the movement and the objectives and intended outcomes of right to repair legislation. Importantly, the document sets forth 10 best practice principles to developing a framework for right to repair legislation that any supporting country can use and adapt them to their needs. WERC and ARA joined other new global members in April, including ASSOGOMMA (Association of Italian Manufacturers of Tires); CAWA - representing the Automotive Parts Industry in the United States; Cámara Nacional de Comercio de Autopartes CANIDRA in Venezuela; FIGIEFA in Belgium; MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and the Tire Industry Association (TIA) in the United States to give further momentum to the drive. Without the convenience and choice of independent parts and repair, especially in suburban and rural communities, consumers globally will have limited access to affordable vehicle service and repair. These restrictions can have catastrophic effects on local economies and the well-being and safety of millions that rely on vehicle transportation daily. Attie Serfontein, national director of ARA notes that in South Africa, the Right to Repair campaign was initiated and funded in 2013 by ARA’s sister association, the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA). In 2017 the Right to Repair South Africa (R2RSA), a Section 21, not-for-profit company, was specifically formed to champion the Right to Repair campaign. “We are proud of the fact that we are one of a few countries that have successfully ensured that motor vehicle owners’ right to choose is protected in South Africa, through our campaigning for the Guidelines for Competition in the South African Automotive Aftermarket. We hope that the Guidelines can act as a model for similar legislation and/or guidelines in other countries in order to level the playing field and keep the consumer at the heart of decision-making across the transportation ecosystem,” says Kate Elliott, CEO of Right to Repair SA. “We would not have been able to achieve what we have achieved thus far without the Competition Commission and we are very grateful for the excellent work they do in protecting fair competition in South Africa. The Guidelines have opened up the market and paved the way for Government to support and drive growth and transformation and have made the automotive aftermarket a fairer place to do business,” she concludes.