FREDERICK, Md. -

In its ongoing efforts to standardize the remarketing industry for enhanced customer service and satisfaction, the National Auto Auction Association on Thursday chose to adopt an Auction Block Announcement Standard.

The association board approved the set of minimum recommended announcements at its 63rd annual conference last month in Chicago.

Now in effect, the Auction Block Announcement Standard can be found online at the association’s website.

The association explained the standard represents a collection of the basic, commonly agreed upon Auction Block announcements compiled by the NAAA standards committee from the existing ones shared with reporting agencies and data services. The committee identified those that made the most common sense to communicate for fostering customer confidence.

NAAA stressed that it recognized the need for an announcement standard because that information potentially lives on with the vehicle, even outside the wholesale industry.

“We were concerned with removing any inconsistencies and nebulous or obsolete terminology used in announcements from auction to auction,” explained NAAA past president David Angelicchio, who also chairs the standards committee.

“We determined the major items that fundamentally impact the vehicle and so should be communicated consistently throughout its life,” Angelicchio continued. “The NAAA community agreed this essential set of announcements are those that help achieve a fair price for good vehicles and fair transactions for all involved.”

Angelicchio went on to emphasize the announcement standard is neither all encompassing nor limiting, and does not mandate anything.

“It simply provides a suggested basis for managing manufacturer and other consignor relationships by building a foundation of confidence in auction vehicles,” he pointed out.

Angelicchio also noted reporting agencies have endorsed the effort.

“AutoCheck and Carfax have been very supportive and helpful in developing this standard,” Angelicchio shared.

“They’re even working to scrub their historical data to update and amend prior information for vehicle records,” he added. “We really appreciate their cooperation and assistance.”

The associated reiterated the Auction Block Announcement Standard is part of an overall initiative the NAAA launched several years ago to establish universal principles and practices for the 73-year-old auction industry. Prior projects include creating uniform Electronic Condition Reports and an Arbitration Policy, as well as a National Certification Standard program.

“Our goals with standardization are to ensure conformity with the NAAA Code of Ethics and to enhance customer service through greater understanding, trust and confidence among auctions, buyers and sellers, that ultimately benefits everyone,” Angelicchio concluded.