The SERMI scheme is designed to provide a single assessment for independent operators to access anti-theft related repair and maintenance information from all vehicle manufacturers. But, in UK that is not yet the case.
Following Brexit, the UK Government decided that the scheme should be introduced in the UK on a voluntary basis and not be mandated, as is the case in the EU. Therefore, IAAF believes that until the scheme becomes written into law, the business case for garages signing up to SERMI cannot be accurately considered.
Various vehicle manufacturers remain unclear about whether they will use the scheme in the UK once it becomes operational. The scheme is verified in the UK by UKAS – the National Accreditation Body (NAB) who checks and accredits any Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) who applies to be a UK CAB. There are other organisations who would like to apply to be a CAB, but they will not do so until the scheme is mandated. The call to mandate the scheme is supported not only by the IAAF, but also the SMMT.
Additionally, the EU scheme is likely to be expanded to cover wider ’security and safety’ related aspects – further supporting why the scheme should be mandatory in the UK.
Mark Field, IAAF Chief Executive, said: “IAAF has been approached by many garages seeking clarity over SERMI. Our Technical Director, Neil Pattemore, who played a pivotal role in SERMI’s introduction within the EU as part of the SERMI operations group, represented the aftermarket and helped bring the scheme into EU law. We will campaign for SERMI to be mandated in UK, ensuring a level playing field for independent operators and to provide the freedoms to the sector that Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order (MVBEO) and Vehicle Type Approval legislation need to be able to provide.”
