Following the Independent Garage Association’s announcement that it has secured access to Security-related Repair and Maintenance Information (SERMI) for workshops in the UK, the body has seen enthusiastic responses from across the industry.
The industry body has been working to ensure that appropriately audited garage operators and their authorised employees will have access to SERMI to the same level as those working in the European Union, using the same framework as the EU SERMI scheme. This included discussions with key stakeholders, including the UK government, vehicle manufacturers and other aftermarket associations.
The SERMI scheme will transform the way garages and workshops access manufacturer technical information on security systems such as keys and ECU coding, by creating one central audit and certification process.
For the UK market, the scheme will be overseen by the IGA, through the RMI’s ISO company, RMI Standards and Certification (RMISC) on a not-for-profit basis. Fees have been set at a level that should be affordable for all garage businesses.
Interest in SERMI scheme
Following the news of the scheme being launched in the UK, the IGA has now reported that reports that garages are getting in touch in large numbers to register their interest.
“Independent garages have a real hunger to keep up with the ever-more advanced technologies in modern vehicles, and so we have seen an extremely positive response from the sector to our news with expressions of interest flooding in,” commented IGA Chief Executive Stuart James.
The first step for any garage wanting to register for the scheme is to obtain Basic DBS certificates for the business owner and the employee or employees who will be registered to the system.
Stuart is encouraging any garage with an interest in the scheme to get in touch now, get the ball rolling on their DBS checks, and be at the front of the queue for formal enrolment, expected to begin in late July, with the SERMI scheme itself starting from 1st October.
“The hard work is now starting with the roll-out and the statutory side of getting this scheme up and running,” he added.
“We are delighted to be able to offer something so positive for independent businesses. They will finally have a robust system for accessing security-related information. SERMI is the key to the future.”
The IGA has also published a Q&A on the SERMI scheme, which can be found here. Those interested in taking part in the scheme should get in touch with the IGA to register their interest.
