NORCROSS, Ga. – Akzo Nobel played host in January to an environmental workshop series at its Atlanta Collision Repair Instruction Center.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s Small Business Environmental Assistance Program led the two-day program, which focused on new federal emission standards for hazardous air pollutants specific to auto refinish stripping and spray painting. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Design for the Environment Program presented best practices for collision repair shops to reduce harmful emissions.
Attendees included collision repair shop owners, painters, educators, local and state compliance officials from four states, and insurance representatives.
Teresa Shiflett, Manager/Small Business Ombudsman, Georgia EPD Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, called educating the collision repair market on new rules crucial, “especially since many shops are located near residential or busy commercial areas.”
“Taking steps to comply with clean air regulations can be simple, resulting in positive benefits for the health and safety of employees and the community around them.”
Shiflett said, “There are thousands of collision repair shops in Georgia who need to be educated about the new air quality rules. Our agency is working with paint and equipment manufacturers, collision repair shops, and painter training facilities in Georgia to develop tools that will help the collision repair shops comply with the new rules.”
Alan Craighead, Technical Manager, Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes, noted, “Akzo Nobel is committed to working closely with environmental regulatory and advisory agencies to help develop effective solutions that are practical for shops to implement.”
