The scheme, which encompasses safety, fuel efficiency, vehicle emissions and improved operations, was originally started in London for the freight industry and specifically the construction sector, but the initiative has now being rolled out nationally, into Europe and across all sectors of industry, logistics and business.
Almost 3,800 fleets collectively operating more than 200,000 vehicles are currently FORS accredited.
Speaking at last week’s ACFO seminar on ‘A Van for all Reasons’, Ian Vincent, principal consultant and compliance manager at FORS, told delegates: “We want to grow into other sectors including the LCV sector.”
In addition FORS is looking to appeal to fleets of all sizes, with Vincent explaining: “FORS is designed for large fleets and small businesses. We want to be attractive to small businesses as well as large fleets.”
He highlighted that accreditation to the FORS standard had seen members reporting a 17% reduction in collisions, a 34.5% reduction in slight injury collisions, a 9.7% cut in damage-only incidents and a 4.3% MPG improvement last year versus 2014.
Meanwhile, fleets found guilty of malpractice perhaps by the courts or Traffic Commissioners could, said Vincent, have their FORS accreditation suspended or terminated for a period of time.
“We do have teeth,” he said. “We expect our members to be safe operators and through enforcement we will raise standards in the industry.”
