IRTE Workshop Accreditation gets CV Show launch 23 April 2012

The IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) and Freight Transport Association (FTA) today (Monday 23 April 2012) launched the anticipated commercial vehicle Workshop Accreditation programme.

Under the scheme, FTA engineers will audit workshops – the objective being to give transport operators an ability to choose maintenance providers with confidence.

IRTE Chief Executive Nick Jones explains that the scheme will recognise and champion best practice in workshop procedures, enabling operators and manufacturers that outsource vehicle maintenance to select workshops that have been independently assessed to IRTE quality assured standards.

"The aim is simple: to deliver a quality, independent accreditation service supporting both maintenance providers and operators, whilst continuing to improve standards," states Jones.

"Accredited workshops will receive the IRTE's stamp of approval, highlighting compliance in key areas, such as premises, equipment, technical staff, management, clerical staff, documentation, quality and appearance," he adds.

Jones expects maintenance providers receiving IRTE Workshop Accreditation to achieve a competitive advantage – also benefiting from inclusion in the IRTE Workshop Accreditation Register.

This online database will include information on location, services, facilities, vehicle test pass rates, RIDDOR stats, HSE notices etc for IRTE accredited maintenance providers.

IRTE and FTA say that organisations with in-house maintenance provision can also benefit from accreditation, in terms of support for the development of workshop standards, such as decreasing vehicle downtime and improving pass rates.

"With around 80% of operators sub-contracting their vehicle maintenance to third parties, there is a real appetite for a 'Buy with Confidence' scheme in this area," comments FTA director of vehicle inspections Alan Osborne.

"Operators recognise that, while they can sub-contract their maintenance, they cannot sub-contract their responsibilities for vehicle condition," he continues.

"FTA had been considering its own workshop accreditation scheme but soon saw the sense in working collaboratively with the IRTE, who had already developed their guide to Maintenance Supplier Assessment."

Last year, workshops operated by MAN Truck & Bus and Scania took part in the IRTE's pilot programme, to ensure IRTE Workshop Accreditation meets and exceeds the needs of industry.

"Wincanton and other major fleet operators welcome the development of a workshop accreditation scheme, particularly one aimed at the heavy vehicle market," states Wincanton Group technical services director, Dave Rowlands.

"The ability to search geographically for accredited workshops, which have been independently assessed against a rigorous standard, and view an account of their service offering, including current RIDDOR and MOT pass rates, is an industry first," he observes."

"With so much at stake, companies need assurances they are getting the standard of workshop service they expect. Our joint cooperation will afford buyers of maintenance provision with a confidence that has been sorely lacking until now," says Jones.

Author
Brian Tinham

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