administered by
The industry's highest designation, earned through real compliance.
CARE certifies that your facility meets a single, audited standard for quality, safety, and customer experience — jointly administered by the ARA and URG. Buyers know what they're getting. Sellers earn the trust to charge for it.
- ✓ Audited annual standard for quality and safety
- ✓ Active recall stop-sale enforcement
- ✓ Customer-validated KPIs and feedback
- ✓ Listed in the public CARE registry
Why CARE?
A real standard, not a logo.
CARE — Certified Automotive Recycler of Excellence — is a compliance program for automotive recycling facilities built on documented, independently audited proof. Facilities pursuing CARE meet a single Quality Compliance Program (QCP) standard covering insurance, recall safety, parts grading, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Compliance is tracked continuously through this dashboard. Annual audits verify it. Both ARA and URG award the designation — and both can withdraw it. That's what makes it credible.
CARE opens doors. Certified facilities appear in the public CARE registry — the same registry that insurance carriers, collision shops, and online marketplaces (including eBay) reference when they need proof of quality. That means more parts orders from buyers who won't touch an uncertified yard, defendable pricing on graded parts, and repeat business from customers who trust the badge.
Behind CARE
The two organizations that jointly award and maintain the designation.
Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA)
ARA is the trade association representing professional automotive recyclers worldwide. ARA authors industry certifications (CAR, HVV, and CARE), advocates for the industry in Washington, and delivers professional training and standards.
Learn more at a-r-a.org
United Recyclers Group (URG)
URG is a member-owned cooperative of professional automotive recycling facilities across North America. URG members share inventory nationally, buy through URG's vendor programs, and jointly set industry-wide quality standards.
Learn more at u-r-g.comWhy it matters
Pick your side to see the benefits that apply to you.
Sell more parts
Get listed in the public CARE registry alongside every other certified facility. Buyers filter for you.
Charge for quality
Documented grading, warranty, and traceability let you defend premium pricing.
Real recall safety
Nightly VIN wash and stop-sale alerts keep problem parts off your invoices.
eBay-ready
Meet the compliance bar marketplaces are moving toward — before it becomes a requirement.
How certification works
Four steps, on a 12-month onboarding timeline.
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1
CAR certification
Hold ARA Certified Automotive Recycler status as your foundation.
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2
QCP compliance
Work through six QCP sections in the dashboard — upload evidence, designate a Quality Manager, track KPIs.
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3
Audit
A URG-assigned auditor conducts the certification audit, virtual and on-site.
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4
Designation
CARE designation is awarded jointly by ARA and URG. Annual audits maintain it.
We're ready to CARE, let's sign up
Tell us about your facility and a CARE representative will follow up to walk you through enrollment.
- • First year of CARE free — included with your URG and ARA membership
- • Open to ARA & URG member facilities
- • 12-month onboarding timeline
- • Annual audits to maintain designation