Removal Industry Trade Associations
and Accreditations

Did you know that there are over 6500 companies advertising removal services within the UK, but LESS than 20% of these are regulated by a National Trade Association??

That means that there are over 5000 companies who may or may not offer you adequate cover for when things go wrong, give you a written quotation and contract before your move date or have enough trained staff to carry out your move effectively.

Therefore, if something goes wrong, you can only complain to the company themselves or try to sort things out through the small claims court.

Most of us wouldn't risk going on holiday with a Travel Agent who is not ATOL protected or use a Gas Engineer who is not a member of Corgi, because we know that it is not safe to do so.

So why would you risk all of your worldly possessions, no matter how valuable, to a removal company who is not accredited and regulated by a recognised Trade Association?

Removals Trade Associations
	The British Association of Removers - BAR The British Association of Removers is the UK's largest established and recognised Trade Association for removals companies (inception in 1900). All member companies must meet strict standards and agree to inspection on a regular basis to ensure that their facilities, equipment and expertise remain at the highest level. Tel: 01923 699480 Web: www.bar.co.uk
	The British Association of Removers (Commercial) In addition to BAR members that undertake UK and European moves, the Association has another dedicated Group that serves the Commercial moving market. Tel: 01923 699480 Web: www.bar.co.uk
	The British Association of Removers (Overseas) In addition to BAR members that undertake UK and European moves, the Association has another dedicated Group that serves the Overseas moving market. Tel: 01923 699480 Web: www.bar.co.uk
	B.A.R. Office of Fair Trading, Approved Code of Practice This sign means that the firm displaying it is a member of a trade body with a code of practice approved by the Office of Fair Trading. The aim of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme is to promote and safeguard consumers' interests by helping consumers identify better businesses and to encourage businesses to raise their standards of customer service. Tel: 08457 22 44 99 Web: http://www.oft.gov.uk/about/benefits/
	National Guild of Removers and Storers - NGRS (aka The Guild) The National Guild Of Removers & Storers Ltd are a truly national trade association. Their members range geographically from Aberdeen to Cornwall, from Northern Ireland in the West to East Anglia in the East. All Guild members are subject to constant service monitoring via customer quality questionnaires to ensure standards of service remain high. From these questionnaires monthly statistics are kept on each member’s performance. Tel: 01494 792 279 Web: www.ngrs.co.uk
	National Register of Approved Removers and Storers - ROARS All members of The National Register of Approved Removers and Storers (R.O.A.R.S.) belong to The Removal Industry Ombudsman Scheme. The Ombudsman Scheme comprises a Board of four members, only one of whom has any connection with the removals industry. The appointed Ombudsman has a background in consumer and commercial complaints, and a qualification in arbitration, operates from separate premises and is able to adjudicate in disputes on a totally fair and equitable basis. Web: www.removalsombudsman.org.uk
	Federation of International Furniture Removers - FIDI FIDI movers demonstrate their commitment to quality by being certified under the FIDI quality assurance programme. This is branded as FIDI-FAIM (FIDI Accredited International Mover) and is the only quality standard dedicated to the international moving industry. Tel: +32 2 426 51 60 Web: www.fidi.com
	Federation of European Movers Associations - Fedemac Today FEDEMAC represents the interests of around 4.000 Professional Moving Companies in 20 European Countries. FEDEMAC works continuously towards the harmonisation of working methods, quality standards, training and co-operation within the Moving industry. Tel: + 49 6190 989811 Web: www.fedemac.com
	Household Goods Forwarders Association of America HHGFAA HHGFAA is a global association of forwarders and movers committed to providing customers with the highest level of service available. Our worldwide membership of over 1800 companies from more than 160 countries and territories are available to move you wherever life may take you. Web: www.iamovers.org
Related Associations
	Freight Transport Association Freight Transport Association represents the transport interests of companies moving goods by road, rail, sea and air. FTA members operate over 200,000 goods vehicles - almost half the UK fleet. In addition, they consign over 90 per cent of the freight moved by rail and over 70 per cent of sea and air freight. FTA is dedicated to its members, helping ensure their compliance and advancing their performance. Tel: 08717 11 22 22 Web: www.fta.co.uk
	Overseas Moving Network International - OMNI OMNI represents the cream of the world's international moving industry. 260 companies in 70 countries - an international family, dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in all that it does. Committed to providing the finest moving service available for its customers, through the closest possible co-operation between its members. Tel: 01306 889218 Web: www.omnimoving.com
	Pan American International Movers Association - PAIMA PAIMA is an association of international movers, freight forwarders, insurance companies, etc. Founded in 1985, its membership now totals over 150 international moving companies, representing: Canada, the United States, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Australia, Middle East & Far East. Its main office is located in Panama, Republic of Panama. Tel: (507) 360-2171 and 360-2172 Web: www.paima.com
	British International Freight Association - BIFA BIFA's role is to provide a focus for the international freight distribution industry, and its mission is: "To provide effective representation and support for the UK international freight services industry; to promote good practice and total quality in the provision of freight services by all members, and to encourage the membership to observe the highest standards of professional competence". Tel: 020 8844 2266 Web: www.bifa.org
	Road Haulage Association - RHA The Road Haulage Association (RHA) provides dedicated campaigning, advice, information and business services specially tailored for the haulage and transport industry. An RHA Member can get immediate advice in solving industry problems from interpreting legislation to checking out health and safety issues. Tel: 01932 841515 Web: www.rha.net
	Self Storage Association - SSA The Self Storage Association represents approximately 70% of all self storage facilities in the United Kingdom. It is also a founder member of the Federation of European Self Storage Associations (FEDESSA), which brings it in close contact with other European associations and their members as well as other operators in Europe. Tel: 01270 623150 Web: www.ssauk.com
	American Moving and Storage Association - AMSA The American Moving and Storage Association's Mission: To represent and enhance the Domestic and International Moving and Storage Industry Web: www.moving.org
	Association of Relocation Professionals - ARP The ARP is the body for relocation professionals in the UK. Many of their Members provide services integral to the relocation process, such as Visa and Immigration Consulting, Furniture Rental, International Goods Movers, Education Consultants, Career Consultants, Cross Cultural Orientation Specialists as well as Corporate Relocation Services and Private Homesearch Services. Tel: 08700 73 74 75 Web: www.arp-relocation.com
Accreditations & Standards
	Safe Contractor Safecontractor is a contractor accreditation scheme that assesses the health & safety competency of contractors. Many large organisations now use Safecontractor as their primary means of selecting contractors. They capture a variety of information on contractors capabilities which will assist you when selecting a contractor for a new project or contract. Tel: 02920 859 217 Web: www.safecontractor.com
	FIDI Accredited International Mover - FIDI-FAIM FAIM (FIDI Accredited International Mover) is the first industry certification for international movers. Developed by FIDI in 1997, it is currently the most stringent, all encompassing quality guarantee programme for the international moving industry. Tel: +32 2 426 51 60 Web: www.fidi.com
	ISO 9001 ISO 9001 is one of the standards in the ISO 9000 family. ISO 9001:2000 specifies requirements for a quality management system for any organization that needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable regulatory requirements and aims to enhance customer satisfaction. ISO 9001:2000 has been organized in a user-friendly format with terms that are easily recognized by all business sectors. Web: www.iso.org
	Investors in People Investors in People is the national Standard which sets a level of good practice for training and development of people to achieve business goals. The Standard was developed by the National Training Task Force in partnership with leading national business, personnel, professional and employee organisations such as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Institute of Personnel and Development (IPD). The work was supported by the Employment Department. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7467 1900 Web: www.investorsinpeople.co.uk
	BS EN 12522 BS EN 12522 is the first and only recognised quality Standard specifically aimed at furniture removals for the benefit of the private individual. Certified companies operate to clearly defined standards and the procedures are designed to benefit you, the customer, at every stage of your move. Tel: 01442 278607
	FSA Authorised Insurance is an important aspect of moving home and since January 14th 2005 it is illegal for a Removal or Shipping Company to sell Goods in Transit insurance to a consumer if they have not applied to the FSA for authorisation or become a so-called "appointed representative" of a directly authorised company. Anyone not authorised who sells insurance after this date can be fined or even jailed. Tel: 0845 606 1234 Web: www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk