A quick introduction to FORS

Both the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) and Direct Vision have been in operation for a number of years now, so they’re well known amongst fleet managers nationwide. They’re very similar in their nature, but they’re not exactly the same. We’ll be focusing in on the benefits that a FORS accreditation can bring to your fleet, but if you’re looking for a bit more information on the differences between the FORS scheme and Direct Vision, we explore this in greater detail in our ‘What’s the difference between FORS and the Direct Vision Standard?’ page.

Now, both of these vehicle safety accreditations focus in on elevating the quality of care you take within your fleet operations, which is something we can fully get behind here at Vision techniques. Vehicle safety is our priority here, and we’re constantly developing new products to give you the next generation of safety. Our commitment to pioneering safety technology is second to none, and has led us to the creation of market leading products like vehicle cameras and braking systems.

So, here’s what you need to know about FORS.

What is FORS?

The Fleet Operation Recognition scheme is a voluntary accreditation that you can undertake to raise the quality of your fleet operations, demonstrating your operator’s commitment to safety, efficiency and environmental protection. To become a member of FORS, fleet operators are required to meet the minimum standards of fuel efficiency, fuel safety, vehicle emissions and improved operations expected of commercial companies. The accreditation is designed to incentivise the safest and most sustainable approaches to fleet management, so that fleet operators are encouraged to work safer, smarter, and in a more eco-friendly manner.

The scheme is open to operators of vans, lorries, and minibuses (to name just a few), as well as organisations that award contracts to these specific operators. As we’ve touched on above, the scheme is completely optional, but since its launch over 10 years ago, FORS has set the ultimate standard for fleet operators, their clients, and enforcement agencies. The accreditation is widely viewed as the gold standard of vehicle operations quality assurance, and those without it put their business at risk of falling behind their competition in a big way.

What does the FORS audit process entail?

So how do you get awarded the prestigious FORS accreditation? Well, the audit process begins with the Bronze evaluation, the purpose of which is to ensure that the operators being assessed meet the specific standards set down in the FORS guidelines. Then an initial audit is undertaken – this looks for evidence of systems, procedures and documentation that demonstrate your company can meet the required standards for entry into the FORS Bronze accreditation. From here, your company will be subject to annual on-site reapproval audits, which will ensure that your company is still maintaining the FORS standard. Once approved, you can then apply for the Silver and then the Gold accreditation scheme. These are then re-evaluated every two years.

How does FORS benefit you?

As well as the prestige of being a FORS accredited business, there are also many tangible benefits that come with being a FORS Gold accredited business, which can help your drivers, managers, and field transport teams.

For starters, a FORS Gold accreditation gives your workforce an increased awareness of work-related road risk, a better understanding of the environmental impact their work has, as well as an improved knowledge of collision investigation skills. All of which help to promote a safer, greener workplace.

Plus, by obtaining a FORS Gold accreditation, you give peace of mind to your customers that your company is effectively managing its work related road risk (WRRR), while also demonstrating your commitment to exceeding the industry standard for safety. By proving to your customers that you take safety seriously, you immediately build a bond of trust which makes them far more likely to continue doing business with you.

A FORS accreditation shows that your business holds safety in the highest regard, and is a great way of improving the safety and efficiency of your vehicle fleet. Safety is something we’re passionate about here at Vision Techniques – our flexible approach and proven track record of over 30 years in design excellence, has led to the creation of award-winning vehicle safety systems like Stopsafe and Brakesafe. If you’d like to discover more about what our tech can do for you, feel free to browse our products here on our site, or alternatively give us a call on 01254 679 717, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions!