(a) Each manufacturer may establish, or otherwise make available to buyers or lessees of new motor vehicles, a qualified third-party dispute resolution process for the resolution of disputes pursuant to subdivision (c) of § 1793.22 of the Civil Code. A manufacturer that itself operates the third-party dispute resolution process shall apply to the department for certification of that process. If the manufacturer makes the third-party dispute resolution process available to buyers or lessees of new motor vehicles through contract or other arrangement with another entity, that entity shall apply to the department for certification. An entity that operates a third-party dispute resolution process for more than one manufacturer shall make a separate application for certification for each manufacturer that uses that entity’s third-party dispute resolution process. The application for certification shall be accompanied by the information prescribed by the department.

(b) The department shall review the application and accompanying information and, after conducting an onsite inspection, shall determine whether the third-party dispute resolution process is in substantial compliance with subdivision (d) of § 1793.22 of the Civil Code and this chapter. If the department determines that the process is in substantial compliance, the department shall certify the process. If the department determines that the process is not in substantial compliance, the department shall deny certification and shall state, in writing, the reasons for denial and the modifications in the operation of the process that are required in order for the process to be certified.

(c) The department shall make a final determination whether to certify a third-party dispute resolution process or to deny certification not later than 90 calendar days following the date the department accepts the application for certification as complete.

(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1232, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1993.)