News that the London Borough of Redbridge's workshop in Ilford, and Pullman Fleet Services' Stoke and Livingston sites have gained IRTE Workshop Accreditation has been welcomed by the FTA.
The Freight Transport Association, which supports the Institute of Road Transport Engineers' new workshop quality assurance scheme, explains that it is providing its engineers to audit maintenance providers' operations to give operators the chance to choose with confidence.
The scheme champions and recognises best practice in workshop procedures, enabling operators and manufacturers that outsource vehicle maintenance to choose workshops that have been independently assessed to IRTE quality assured standards.
According to IRTE chief executive Nick Jones, the aim of the newly-launched scheme is simple: "It's to deliver a quality, independent accreditation service supporting both maintenance providers and operators, whilst continuing to improve standards."
Jones makes the point that an estimated 80% of operators sub-contract vehicle maintenance, but retain responsibility for the standard of maintenance delivered. Hence the need for independent assurance for the quality of work being carried out in their names.
"FTA is pleased to be partnering IRTE on this very important initiative," comments Andy Mair, FTA head of engineering.
"Our vehicle inspection engineers, who carry out the workshop audits, have a wealth of experience and knowledge of operator licensing, vehicle inspection and maintenance systems auditing," he continues.
"The standard of third party maintenance provision is often a cause for concern for FTA members, and can have a real impact on annual test failure rates, OCRS [Operator Compliance Risk Scores] and operator licence compliance.
"The IRTE Workshop Accreditation Scheme is a logical step towards driving up standards of third party maintenance provision, which will enable operators to select accredited maintenance providers who meet stringent IRTE requirements to help safeguard their operator licence."
