Hampshire Constabulary to use only BSI Kitemark Bodyshops
Press release - 10 December 2008
Hampshire Constabulary is taking the lead to provide a Framework Contract for the repairing of their vehicles to be undertaken by bodyshops that are either working towards or have the BSI Kitemark licence.
Kitemark certification is only given to bodyshops that meet BSI’s highest standards for the quality and safety of vehicle body repair. It is based on the technical specification PAS 125 which lays down quality standards for the five key elements of the vehicle repair process: competent personnel, repair methods, repair materials, equipment and repair process management.
The Contract can be used by Dorset Police, Surrey Police, Sussex Police, and Wiltshire Constabulary. Each police force will be required to enter into individual contracts with Vehicle Body Repair contractors.
Roy Mariner, Assistant Fleet Manager to Hampshire Constabulary commented: "We are currently out to tender for a new accident repair contract and as a collaborative initiative it can be available for use by Surrey, Sussex, Wiltshire and Dorset police as well as ourselves. As part of the contract requirements we will be requesting that contractors either have BSI PAS 125 Kitemark certification or are working towards it. The only exception will be those contractors that have gained manufacturers authorisation to repair their vehicles.
"All vehicles are becoming more and more technically complex and we see BSI PAS 125 Kitemark licence as an ideal means of assuring ourselves that the contractor carrying out our repairs has staff that our suitable trained, is appropriately equipped and has access to the correct technical data."
Scott Hanney, of BSI Product Services, added: “The BSI Kitemark is recognised as a standard which consumers/insurers and other bodies can trust. The Hampshire Police Authority are demonstrating that they are confident that a BSI Kitemark bodyshop has the personnel, repair methods, materials, equipment and management processes of the highest standard.”
For more details on how to achieve the Kitemark visit www.kitemarkautomotive.com.
BSI Product Services:
With its Global HQ in Hemel Hempstead, UK, BSI Product Services is the testing and certification arm of the world-renowned BSI Group. BSI’s testing and certification capabilities are amongst the most highly-rated in the world. BSI provides product/service testing and certification to UK, European and International standards and is the UKAS accredited Notified Body for 17 of the New Approach EU Directives.
About the Kitemark:
The Kitemark is one of the most respected product quality marks in the world, demonstrating that a wide range of products from lighting to fire extinguishers conform to standards, ensuring that vital safety and performance requirements are met.
The word Kitemark and the Kitemark logo are registered trade marks of BSI. A combination of a quality based system, such as BS EN ISO 9001 or a similar quality system; with advanced product/service testing provide the basis for a Kitemark scheme offering trust, integrity and quality.
BSI Product Services is part of BSI Group, a global independent business services organization that inspires confidence and delivers assurance to customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world’s first national standards body, the Group has over 2,250 staff operating in over 100 countries through more than 50 global offices. The Group’s key offerings are:
- The development and sale of private, national and international standards and supporting information
- Second and third-party management systems assessment and certification
- Product testing and certification of services and products
- Performance management software solutions
- Training services in support of standards implementation and business best practice.
For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com
