RMIF QC scheme to back PAS 125 accreditation

Body repair businesses can now work towards meeting the new bodyshop repair industry standard, thanks to the relaunch of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) Quality Control (QC) scheme for bodyshops.

The RMIF has revised its bodyshop QC scheme to correspond with the new body repair standard, the British Standards Institute (BSI) PAS 125 Kitemark. The self-assessment based QC scheme is available at a fraction of the cost of PAS 125 accreditation.

Mike Owen, head of the RMIF’s bodyshop services division, commented: ‘PAS 125 has been slow to take off. The technical specification is highly detailed and bodyshops must make considerable investment in time and money to meet its requirements. Many have been reluctant to commit themselves to a scheme that has yet to prove itself. Eight months after its launch and so far only 10 kitemarks have been awarded and 118 applications received.

‘The RMIF has responded by reviewing its QC scheme to provide a stepping stone that will allow bodyshops to demonstrate their commitment to best practice and also help them prepare for the rigours of the Kitemark should they choose to pursue it at a later date.’

The RMIF QC scheme has already been adopted by Allianz Insurance plc for its 185-strong network of approved repairers. Its new contract, which was rolled out this summer, asks for bodyshops to prove their technicians’ competence, quality of work and customer service in one of three ways: manufacturer approval, PAS 125 or the RMIF QC scheme.

For more information on the QC Scheme, RMIF member bodyshops should contact the RMIF Bodyshop Services Division.