Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is concerned the Freight Transport Association is 'making life more complex' following comments about the FTA's Van and Truck Excellence schemes.

Following recent statements from FTA’s deputy chief executive, James Hookham, in press articles last week (FTA fleet operator audits recognised by Transport for London), FORS concession director, John Hix, said: “FORS wants to make it clear that the FTA does not provide anything that is equivalent to the FORS scheme.

"The FORS bronze, silver and gold progression process is unique to FORS, as is its wide-ranging FORS manager and driver training – all provided as part of FORS membership.” he said.

FORS said that to meet, even just in part, TfL’s compliance criteria, 10 or more additional requirements must be added to the FTA audit.

Hix added, “We fail to see how this can be seen as ‘excellence’ when both the FTA’s Truck and Van Excellence programmes fall way short of not just FORS silver, but FORS bronze.

“It’s a shame that FTA, which on behalf of its members should be championing a single national standard, is actually making life more complex for the industry," he said.

"FORS provides the simplest and most effective route to recognition, while campaigning for best-practice, across the UK supply chain.”