California Specifies Windshield Replacement Regulations

California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) released October 26 “final approved” language on its windshield replacement standards.

The standard applies to Section 3365.1 (“Automotive Windshields”) of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations. The approved language released this week is the
culmination of an effort by the BAR to establish statewide windshield repair and replacement regulations. Hearings began in January to collect feedback on proposed language for the regulations.

The new regulation goes into effect January 1, 2017, said Nina Tantraphol of the BAR.

The standard defines “cure time” and specifies that repair shops will use adhesives that “meet or exceed vehicle manufacturer standards” according to an Order of Adoption posted on the bureau’s website.

The order defines “cure time” as: “the length of time that, per the adhesive manufacturer, the windshield adhesive needs to cure until the windshield can properly function as a safety device pursuant to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.”

The order also states automotive repair dealers performing windshield installations shall:

1. Use windshields that meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (49 C.F.R. 571.205 and 49 C.F.R. 571.212) and vehicle manufacturer specifications.
2. Use windshield adhesives that meet or exceed vehicle manufacturer specifications. Adhesive systems shall be used in accordance with the adhesive manufacturer’s specifications and adhesives shall be applied in accordance with vehicle manufacturer specifications.
3. Provide an estimate notifying the customer that installation of the windshield will prevent operation of the vehicle for a period of time and whether the windshield is an original equipment manufacturer part or a non-original equipment manufacturer part.
4. Provide an invoice notifying the customer of the cure time, the date and time upon which the installation was completed, and whether the windshield is an original equipment manufacturer part or a non-original equipment manufacturer part.