FORS goes above and beyond compliance
FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, has explained how its accreditation process can assist operators in ensuring they comply with legal obligations as a starting point, but also build on them to encourage wider operational efficiencies and best-practice standards.
“For example, compliance with the DVSA’s annual test, or obtaining an O-licence, are crucial in ensuring the transport industry functions to acceptable standards of operation, but becoming FORS accredited does not mean automatic compliance with these standards,” said the organisation.
“Instead, FORS goes over and above this; incorporating industry good practice, encouraging continuous improvement and monitoring new emerging practices within the fleet sector.
“So, rather than being a compliance scheme, FORS provides an independent review of fleet operations and accredits against a progressive framework of safety, environmental and efficiency requirements.
“In fact, rather than ‘compliance’, FORS prefers to use the term ‘quality assurance’ when describing its own obligations, such as adherence to the FORS Standard or the requirement to complete specific training courses.
“Today, over 4,700 FORS accredited operators (almost 94,000 vehicles) are realising the benefits of adopting a mindset that brings together safety, efficiency and sustainability.”
At the heart of FORS, says the organisation, accredited operators have at their disposal a comprehensive training resource – the FORS Professional portfolio of courses and eLearning – available for drivers and managers to cover all the skillsets required of a modern transport operation.
“Within this portfolio, the FORS Practitioner fleet management training programme has seen over 3,200 graduates to date. In 2022 alone, FORS Professional has delivered training for over 4,600 individual managers and more than 1,600 individual drivers. There were also over 130,000 eLearning courses in 2022.
“So successful has FORS been in delivering best practice, an increasing number of construction companies – and others that buy-in their transport requirements – are ‘writing in’ FORS as a contractual requirement. FORS, therefore, places transport operators at a distinct advantage when new business opportunities arise.
“Importantly, a best-practice mindset not only means greater levels of safety, efficiency and environmental protection – essential though this is – it can also bring significant rewards. A focus on, for example, safety, defensive driving and correct load management, can bring tangible financial benefits too, as demonstrated by FORS Gold accredited operators.
“Compliance is crucial in ensuring fleet operators work to the bare minimum legal requirements. FORS helps operators comply with the law, but it exists to help operators drive up standards to create a safer, more efficient and cleaner road transport industry.”
