CASIS: Frequently Asked Questions

The Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS) provides a framework for Canadian automobile manufacturers to share their service and repair information with the automotive aftermarket industry on a level equivalent to that of their authorized dealers.

The CASIS will be implemented on a national basis and will provide access to OEM information and tools to any service provider regardless of association affiliation. According to the agreement, full implementation by all Canadian auto manufacturers is to be completed by May 1, 2010.

The National Automotive Trades Association (NATA) on behalf of 5,000 individual automotive repair and service providers’ facilities from across Canada.

The Association of International Automobile Manufactures of Canada (AIAMC) on behalf of the international manufacturers, importers and distributors operating in Canada.

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (CVMA) on behalf of the North American manufacturers, importers and distributors operating in Canada.

AIAMC and CVMA members combined represent about 99.9% of all vehicles sold in Canada annually and all of their members have signed letters of commitment to CASIS.

Roughly 50% (by market share) of auto manufacturers already provided the automotive aftermarket this service and repair information before the CASIS agreement was reached. Since the signing of the CASIS, several additional auto manufacturers have begun providing this information. Full implementation by all Canadian auto manufacturers is to be reached by May 1 2010.

No. The automotive service information provided by the auto manufacturers under the CASIS will be available to anyone*, however, since NATA spent so much time and financial resources to achieve this agreement on behalf of the aftermarket auto industry, automotive service providers are highly encouraged to show their support by joining their provincial or regional NATA-members association.

* vehicle security information will only be available to vetted, registered Vehicle Security professionals. See below for more information

Subscription prices and lengths vary from one manufacturer to another. There is a pricing matrix available on the NASTF website. A Canadian version will be available here on the NATA website shortly after the May 1 2010 full CASIS implementation date.

The easiest way to answer this question is to say that the intent of the CASIS is that the aftermarket automotive service provider will be able to access the same level of service and repair information as OEM authorized dealers. In the CASIS agreement in states that "Service Information" includes mechanical, collision, trim and glass information as well as initialization information. Service Information also includes information contained in repair manuals, wiring diagrams, technical service bulletins ("TSBs"). Service Information does not include:

• Information exchanged between individual Authorized Dealers and OEMs for the purpose of dealing with a technical or quality issue for which the need for or a general remedy has not yet been defined or developed.
• Information related to the administration of Motor Vehicle warranties, service contracts, or recalls under Canadian federal or provincial law.
• OEM hot-lines and/or technical lines for Authorized Dealers.
• Customer information or any information about an identifiable individual as restricted by privacy legislation.
• Information related to the repair history of specific Motor Vehicles or models of Motor Vehicles.
• Information not made generally available to Authorized Dealer by an OEM.
• Any source code for software or full copies of any software program managing any Motor Vehicle function or technical information that provides the design parameters or criteria for the Motor Vehicle or any of its parts or any information licensed from a third party.
• Information exchanged or discussions between individual OEMs and Authorized Dealers on technical, consumer or business issues to resolve individual Motor Vehicle service or repair issues or matters relating to the franchise relationship between the OEM and its Authorized Dealers.

During the development of the CASIS agreement it was identified that some of the key components of the US Secure Data Release Model (SDRM) have no Canadian equivalent. For example, Canada has no national locksmith association to act as ALOA does in the SDRM. Furthermore, Canadian privacy laws prohibit relaying any individual's personal information across the border into the US, and third parties cannot obtain a criminal record check on individuals in Canada. Therefore, the vetting and registration of vehicle security professionals in Canada would have to be a uniquely Canadian process. The CASIS agreement acknowledges that a Canadian equivalent to the US SDRM will be reached, but it would take more time than the rest of the provisions of the CASIS. The CASIS Task Force is working diligently to ensure that vehicle security information will be available without undue delay. Much progress has already been made and further updates will be made available in due course.

No, it does not mean that. See the Interpretation Guideline Bulletin issued by the CASIS task force for a detailed explanation.

Your first step is to use the "Help", "Support", "Contact us", or similar link on the OEM website where you have been unable to find the information you are looking for. Under the CASIS agreement, if a response is not received from the OEM within five business days (ten business days for Tool Information), you may then submit an Information Request to NATA. NATA will review the Information Request to initially determine applicability and coverage under CASIS. If the Information Request appears valid and is complete, NATA will contact the OEM and attempt to resolve the issue. If the Information Request is not valid or is incomplete, NATA will so inform the Requester of the problem or deficiency in the request.

NOTE: Although every attempt will be made to resolve reported information access issues as expediently as possible, the intent of this process is to identify and close gaps in information availability. The process may or may not result in a solution quickly enough to help you complete repairs to a vehicle in your shop at the time.