The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) is launching GarageSafe, a new network of garages to help keep access to vehicle repair maintenance information when EU Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulations end in 2023.
Currently, access to this information is covered by EU regulation 461/2010. This gives consumers the right to have their car serviced or repaired at any garage without invalidating their warranty, and allows any garage to access a vehicle’s service history and repair maintenance information.
These regulations end in 2023, and with nothing to take its place, it will be down to vehicle manufacturers to decide who can access their vehicle information. The SERMI (Security Repair and Maintenance Information) scheme was set up over 10 years ago to compliment Block Exemption by providing garages with accreditation, approval and access to security related information. However, the scheme was never launched or achieved its objectives.
To ensure garages have a chance to retain access to vital information, and allow them to offer repair and servicing work to cars still under warranty, the RMI is to introduce GarageSafe as an alternative route to access.
The scheme is based on a proven and flexible system already operating in the USA, the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF). The collaborative approach will see GarageSafe work directly with vehicle manufacturers and the UK government to allow access to information for verified, approved garages via a secure online gateway.
The first objective is to build a network of audited and verified independent garages which is planned to be in place by Q3 2021. With this vetted network established, the RMI can then move to the next stage of enrolling them into the NASTF platform.
“As this exciting project is the first of its kind in the UK it will take some time to get up and running, and we cannot guarantee that it will be a success,” the RMI said in a statement. “However, this is your opportunity to join a national network of independent garages recognised for their transparency and integrity, and safeguard access to the security level repair and maintenance information you need.”
Garages that wish to join the scheme will need to undergo an audit process that verifies the ownership and management of the business, along with verification of the garage staff who will have access to the GarageSafe system.
For more information or to register for GarageSafe, please call us on 01788 225 908 or email enquiries@rmif.co.uk, and we will send you a registration form to begin your application.
