FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, has responded to the call from the transport industry for a single, UK-wide compliance standard, “FORS is already in place,” says John Hix, FORS Community Partnership Director, “the scheme is now a UK-wide concern and, importantly, with 3,500 companies now on-board, its position is already cemented within the operating community. Put simply,” he says, “FORS is the ‘go to’ standard ensuring compliance and best-practice.”

The results of a study announced at the recent Freight in the City event, revealed that 85% of decision makers involved in transporting freight believe that there should be a single UK-wide compliance standard for commercial vehicle fleets.

“Further, and this is key,” says Hix, “our FORS Bronze, Silver and Gold progression path means operators are encouraged to self-improve. Specifiers across the UK can be safe in the knowledge that their FORS transport suppliers are amongst the safest, most compliant and most efficient in the industry. FORS Gold members by extension, can boast exemplary methods of best-practice.”

The Freight in the City figures support FORS’s previous call for industry to adopt one over-arching scheme; one that encompasses all aspects of safety, fuel efficiency, economical operations and vehicle emissions. Further backing from the study shows that over 90% of respondents stated they were familiar with TfL’s Safer Lorry Scheme, which came into force in the Capital on 1st September 2015. “Also,” adds Hix, “FORS Bronze membership means that operators’ vehicles must be fitted with the necessary equipment to comply with the requirements of TfL’s Safer Lorry Scheme”.