FORS have published V7 of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme standard which will become effective on the 2nd of January 2025. This means if you're currently FORS accredited and have a Bronze renewal in 2025 you will be assessed to the new V7 standard and there are various new requirements.
Various updates have been made to the standard with the focus once more appearing to be on coming up with more ways to saddle scheme participants with ever more administrative burden and document preparation time (we spent several days reading and interpreting the new standard and updating and writing new documents) but we've loaded the toolkit up with 23 policies which should tick the many FORS-documentation-requirement boxes allowing you to remain focussed on running your business!
Summary of changes made:
- FORS Manual V7 published to cover version 7. This manual included guidance on which sections to ignore/delete depending on the level of accreditation (Bronze / Silver / Gold)
- F-Q4 Staff Induction checklist updated to include completion of E-learning Modules (FORS V7 - D4: All required eLearning for drivers shall be completed as part of staff induction)
- P-FORS D3 Staff Induction Policy updated to include the new policies drafted (G2 Recruitment and retention Policy, M6 Fleet replacement)
- F-Q98 Professional Development Plan updated to include additional detail on training arrangements (D4 - Who needs the training, the training need identified, the method of training delivery, how the training need was identified – such as induction, appraisals, performance management or in response to infringements, planned and completed training)
- P-FORS-V7-Tyre-Management-Policy updated to include content on acceptable tyre conditions (as per the DVSA Guide on maintaining roadworthiness)
- P-FORS-34 Fleet Review Register included to comply with S10 - Fleet Transition
- F-IMS33 FORS Review Register - updated to reflect the new policies and risk assessments
- P-FORS-02-Fuel Emissions Air Quality Policy - updated and wording amended
- RA-HS52-Transporting-Dangerous-Goods added to the toolkit to comply with O5 - Specialist Operations
- F-IMS27 Legal Register added to comply with 02 - Emissions, air quality and environmental impact
- F-IMS21-Business Continuity Register added
- P-34 Business Continuity Policy Statement added
- P-110 Net Zero Policy added
- P-112 Remote Working Policy added
- P-FORS-S4_Work-Related-Road-Risk-Policy added to comply with S4 - Road Risk
- P-FORS-M6-Fleet-Replacement Policy - added
- F-ENV4 Environmental Aspects Register added to comply with S3 - Environmental impact
- F-ENV6 Environmental Life Cycle added to comply with the FORS silver S3 requirements for broader environmental impact review
You can read about the summary of changes with the FORS V7 standard here.
The FORS toolkit can be purchased here.
