In 2006 the Motor Insurance Repair and Research Centre, often referred to as Thatcham, teamed up with British Standards Institute (BSI) to create a Publicly Available Specification (PAS 125) for vehicle body repair.
The move to create a single generic standard was influenced by increasing vehicle technology and a perceived skill shortage. Industry stakeholders, including the Auto Body Professionals Club, the Engineers Technical Sub-Committee, Thatcham, BSI and individual insurers formed a steering group to develop and design the standard for launch in February 2007.
Vizion members have attained and passed BSI inspection audited against the Publicly Available Specification at either structural steel or the higher structural aluminium and composite levels.
Thatcham considered the bodyshop as a production facility surrounded by an array of support activities and services turning damaged vehicles into repaired vehicles. The Thatcham BSI Kitemark Standard (PAS 125) deals with the 'core production activity' covering four key elements:
- Man (the skill level of people employed)
- Machine (the correct equipment required)
- Methods (the correct method of repair)
- Materials (the correct parts and materials)
All members display the BSI Kitemark Logo, which in conjunction with prestige vehicle manufacturer standards combines to provide complete confidence and consistency for clients and individual customers.