Speaking at last week’s ACFO spring seminar on ‘A Van for all Reasons’, Graham Short, in charge of 126 vehicles of which 66 are vans at Norfolk-based Zip Water UK and chairman of ACFO’s East Anglia Region, said tenders were increasingly asking for evidence as to how potential suppliers were meeting light commercial vehicle best practice.
“Legislation governs the HGV sector, but not the van sector,” said Short, who highlighted that evidence of best practice could be shown by accreditation to initiatives such as the FTA’s Van Excellence programme and the national Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).
Zip Water UK is working towards FORS accreditation and Short said: “FORS seems to be the standard required by many of our customers. Businesses that are accredited to initiatives such as Van Excellence and FORS want to work with organisations that are similarly accredited.”
Ian Vincent, principal consultant and compliance manager at FORS, concurred and who told seminar delegates “responsible procurement” was an increasing trend.
“Many companies now expect their supply chain to be able to demonstrate a commitment to sustainable fleet activities. FORS accreditation shows that commitment and is often a contractual requirement,” he said.
“Businesses can be safe and assured that such organisations have been audited to a standard that they can be confident about.”
Both Ian Vincent and Mark Cartwright, head of vans and light commercial vehicles at the Freight Transport Association (FTA), called on companies accredited to their respective FORS and Van Excellence initiatives to promote the “badge of honour” to their supply chain.
Ian Vincent added: “Businesses do it because it is the right thing to do. There is a lot of misunderstanding and fear about how companies will fare in the audit to meet the FORS standard. We look at 32 areas of operation and there is a 78% first time pass rate so a FORS audit reinforces what fleets are already doing. The FORS standard is very achievable and shows a safe, effective and efficient operator.”
Meanwhile, Graham Short highlighted that compliance with van fleet operation best practice was “a minefield” with the myriad of vehicle options available, aftermarket fit-out choices and funding routes before taking account of “a host of legislation”.
He said: “Fleet operators should view compliance as the absolute minimum standard to protect their organisation. Whenever a vehicle takes to the road there are very real risks.”
He advised fleet operators to: “Plan your van; assess the risks; ensure appropriate policies are in place with regards to driver licence and vehicle defect checks; work with suppliers and partners to support the van operation; give drivers a sense of pride; and future proof van choices by being aware of the advance of technology.”
