Celebrations as Thatcham BSI Kitemark® reaches first year milestone
Press release - 22 February 2008
The Thatcham BSI Kitemark Vehicle Body Repair team marked the first birthday of the scheme by hosting a small party at the Thatcham head office in Berkshire recently.
Since its introduction in February 2007, there has been an impressive level of support for the Kitemark scheme - which sets out rigorous standards for the crash repair process, including the methods and materials used by competent technicians - across the entire UK crash repair industry.
Achievement of the Kitemark certificate ensures motorists that the standard of crash repairs that they receive from the Kitemark-certified bodyshop will restore the vehicle to its pre-accident condition. The Kitemark certificate is the only scheme to recognize and address the complexities of modern vehicle manufacture and repair.
Quentin Willson, spokesperson for BSI, said; “It’s a proven fact that by putting the measurable systems and processes that the Kitemark certificate requires, focuses the bodyshop to do a quality job. Therefore the standards rise across the board; the consumer has confidence in the service that the bodyshop delivers and the industry gets the ‘best practice’ performance levels it’s seeking.”
At the time of the scheme’s first birthday, 60 crash repair specialists have received the Kitemark certificate, with another 246 businesses going through the application stage.
The strong interest in the scheme is illustrated by the fact that the UK’s largest automotive insurers, have agreed that their approved bodyshops will embrace the scheme.
Steve Hamon, general manager – Kitemark Services, said; “With the decision made by insurers that they require their approved repairers to achieve Kitemark, the high standards are set to become the ‘norm’ for the crash repair industry. This decision supported by repairers, will ensure the UK motorist receives safe, quality repairs.”
Jason Moseley, Thatcham’s Chief Operating Officer, added; “2007 was a great foundation year for the Kitemark, in 2008 we will see the scheme coming of age with all major insurers backing Kitemark as the badge of quality repairs for their customers. At Thatcham we are also witnessing a huge enthusiasm from repairers who are embracing the challenges ahead by ensuring their bodyshops are staffed by ATA accredited technicians using the appropriate repair method.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS
For media enquiries
Claire Lynam
Head of Global Marketing Communications
BSI Product Services
Tel: +44 (0)8450 765600 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting BEZPŁATNIE +44 (0)8450 765600 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Email: claire.lynam@bsigroup.com
About 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.
