FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, is changing. From January 2022, the scheme has been managed under a new concession comprising a dedicated team of transport professionals from Sopra Steria; a major European tech, digital services and software development consultancy.
Despite the change in management, the FORS mandate remains the same; to drive-up standards within the road transport industry through a focus on safety – for drivers and vulnerable road users – through efficient fleet management, and with a robust commitment to environmental protection. With its progressive accreditation process, from Bronze through to Gold, FORS engenders both a best practice mindset and, importantly, peace-of-mind that operators’ fleets are fully optimised.
FORS best practice – right across the UK
Today, almost 5,000 FORS accredited operators are based right across the UK, so organisations that specify FORS in their contracts - construction and infrastructure projects for example - can be assured of procuring safe, efficient and environmentally focussed road transport operators, wherever their business is based.
Thanks to an extremely comprehensive package of professional training, both drivers and managers are required to work on continuous professional development. This means all FORS-accredited commercial vehicle operators working on a specifier’s behalf – including powered two-wheelers, taxis and minibuses, coaches, vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) – will demonstrate exceptionally high levels of road transport and fleet management.
Furthermore, writing FORS into procurement contracts is a simple exercise to complete. Many national infrastructure, construction and local authority-led contractors across the UK already do so, as a route to a safe, legal, and fully compliant transport supply chain. Local Authorities (LA) and construction projects that align with FORS can more easily manage and report on work related road risk (WRRR) and meet air quality targets set against schemes such as low emission zones (LEZ) and clean air zones (CAZ).
Above and beyond legal compliance
FORS is built around continuous improvement, where accredited operators strive for progressively higher operational standards as they advance through Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of the scheme. FORS accredited operators agree to a regular audit procedure and are able to evidence their efficiency gains – achieved in no small part by a comprehensive FORS Professional training portfolio designed with specific pathways for drivers and fleet managers. Rigorous auditing, backed up by a range of online support tools, plus guidance from a national helpline, all ensure that FORS accreditation goes above and beyond basic levels of legal compliance.
FORS accredited operators comply with, for example, both CLOCS (Construction Logistics & Community Safety) and Transport for London’s WRRR requirements. FORS Silver accreditation can be used to demonstrate CLOCS compliance as the schemes are designed to align, to keep compliance simple. FORS is about continuous progression, so its accredited operators can become safer, smarter and greener with a model to suit commercial vehicles and businesses of all types.
Shop window
FORS accreditation can deliver real benefits to commercial vehicle operations – including economy savings, a reduction in Penalty Charge Notices and a reduction in insurance claims – FORS can also put its accredited operators in the shop window for new business wins. A recent survey conducted by FORS of Silver and Gold operators evidenced three percent savings in mpg, 31 percent less serious injury incidents and eight percent lower slight injury incidents. Environmental reductions were also clear, with statistics including five percent savings in PM10, four percent in NOx and five percent in CO2 emissions.
In addition to the many core reasons for becoming accredited, nearly two-thirds of accredited operators reported the additional benefits of increasing contract wins over competitors and a similar number reported improved customer satisfaction.
Join the growing band of FORS
Local Authorities and other organisations can work with FORS in a variety of ways. FORS can be written into contracts, specifying that suppliers must meet the FORS Standard. LAs or organisations, who run or manage their own fleets can become FORS accredited operators themselves, ensuring all drivers and commercial vehicles in their fleet operate safely and efficiently.
Through writing FORS into their contracts, specifiers are also protecting and enhancing their own reputations and helping to improve transport standards in their supply chain and geographical regions more generally.
Email our friendly enquiries team to find out more enquiries@fors-online.org.uk
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This article is sponsored by FORS.
