RMI Bodyshops challenges proposed BSI price increase, BSI admits error

RMI Bodyshops (NAB & VBRA), the UK’s trade association for vehicle repairers, has been notified by several of its members of an increase in prices by BSI (Business Standards Institute) in assessment and kitemark costs for the BS10125 standard. Many bodyshops have received a letter informing them of the price increases due to come into force in 2017. The average bodyshop will see an additional cost increase of around £350 a year.

RMI Bodyshop director Jason Moseley comments: “When the original PAS125 was introduced, it was always the vision that the standard would be developed by the industry for the industry. It appears now that the industry has no say or control on how this BS10125 programme is managed and the value it is bringing.

“In the last 10 years the industry has really moved itself forward in terms of working to recognised standards, but that has not come cheap with bodyshops needing to invest heavily in many aspects of their business. To keep adding further cost to that in the current climate seems ludicrous.”

Following RMI Bodyshops request for clarification, BSI responded that the price increase as circulated to Bodyshop members is incorrect due to a system error, and that the actual price increase should be no more than £40 per business certified to RMI Bodyshops challenges proposed BSI the BS10125 standard.

Jason Moseley comments: “If this mistake had been left unchallenged it would have cost BSI certificated bodyshops almost £300K which could have equated to an approximate over charge of almost £250K given the above quoted figure of an increase of no more than £40 per business.  We applaud BSI for their prompt response and promising to act quickly to correct their error.”