Guidance and Help

INDUSTRY BODIES AND ACCREDITATIONS EXPLAINED

The British Association of Removers is the main trade body for the removals industry in the UK. It is dedicated to promoting excellence in the removals Industry for the benefit of its members and customers. Originally established in 1900, the Association in its modern form was created in 1972 as a result of the unification of two older organizations: the National Association of Furniture Warehousemen and Removers (NAFWR) and the British Association of Overseas Furniture Removers (BAOFR). Firms that are members BAR should adhere to The British Association of Removers Code of Practice It is the only code in the moving industry that is approved and monitored by the Office of Fair Trading under its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.

All BAR members abide by the Code that dictates the standard of service you will receive, the quality of the materials used, the standards of vehicles and warehouses, staff training requirements and what will happen if something goes wrong. Most importantly the Code requires BAR moving companies to deal with you in a courteous and sympathetic way at all times. Further information about BAR can be found on the association's website.

BAR Overseas Group - a group of companies specialise in all aspects of overseas removals. Members must meet strict standards and are regularly inspected to make sure that their facilities, equipment, staff training and operational procedures remain at the highest level. Every BAR Overseas Group member also subscribes to a financial bonding scheme to protect all pre-payments to the company. The protection of pre-payments and deposits is especially important for overseas moving customers who are usually required to pay the full amount in advance for international moves. For that reason all members of the BAR Overseas Group must sign up to an Advance Payment Guarantee scheme designed to protect customers in the unlikely event that the company ceases trading. For more information, please visit the BAR Overseas Group website.

FIDI FAIM is made up of two elements:

FIDI - the Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (International Federation of International Movers). Established in 1950, FIDI is the largest global alliance of independent quality international removal companies.Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, FIDI’s mission and vision is to provide high quality, value adding services to its affiliates, and to offer customers a portal to an alliance of quality international movers. To date, the FIDI alliance includes over 500 international removal companies, all accredited by the FIDI Accredited International Mover standard (FAIM).

FIAM - Accreditation for the prestigious FAIM international quality standard for removals is the second reference, and is recognised as the premier quality mark worldwide for international removals. Every firm with FAIM accreditation has to go through a biannual reassessment process, which is comprehensive and very detailed. CapGemini, based in Belgium, undertake an independent audit that involves both desk-top research and personal assessment. Client feedback is reviewed and procedures are checked to ensure they meet clients’ needs and demands. These must be demonstrated to operate in a practical manner and within guidelines for necessary response times. In addition, the audit involves the following. Firms that have FIDI memberships and FAIM accreditation provides customers with reassurance that they are in very safe hands. Please go to the respective websites to find out more information about FIDI and FAIM

Quality Assurance ISO 9001 is a quality management system which provides a framework to monitor and improve performance. It is by far the world’s most established quality framework, currently being used by over ¾ million organisations in 161 countries. It sets the standard not only for quality management systems, but management systems in general, helping improve the way the organisation operates, whether that be increasing market share, driving down costs, managing risk more effectively or improving customer satisfaction. It helps all kinds of organisations to succeed through improved customer satisfaction, staff motivation and continual improvement. A company with quality assurance accreditation will usually mean that it will provide an assured quality of service.

FEDEMAC (Federation of European Movers Associations) was founded in 1959 and is an association of the senior officers from Europe’s national moving associations. Representing the interests of around 4.000 professional moving companies in 22 European countries, FEDEMAC's main function is to express the concerns and needs of the moving industry on European level and to co-ordinate National activities with European impact. Much of this work is centred around lobbying at the EU Parliament and Commission as well as liaising with National associations, and other trade organisations such as the IRU (International Road Transport Union), the WCO (World Customs Organisation), BEUC (Consumer's Group), CEN (Centre of European Standardization), MPE (mobility for prosperity in Europe) and official representatives. For further information please visit the FEDEMAC website.

HHGFAA (House Hold Goods Forwarders Association of America) is the US moving and forwarding industry’s largest global trade association.  As a global association of over 1900 members in over 165 countries comprising of auditing, forwarding, moving, and shipping companies located in over 160 countries. The global network of transportation providers is constantly evolving and expanding. Our domestic and international membership provides the services and expertise necessary to advance global commerce. Our worldwide members, who are involved in the daily transportation of HHG and Personal Effects, are as diverse as the components of an international relocation itself. Transportation and the exchange of goods and services are the essential lifeblood that drive today’s global economic growth. For further information about HHGFAA, plase visit the website.

Investors in People (IIP) is a recognition that an organisation looks to improve performance and realise objectives through the management and development of its people. A company with IIP is more likely to have staff who have been extensively trained in the various techniques and best practices to be able to properly move you. For further information about Investor In People, please visit the IIP website.