Professional Removal Associations  

Removal companies often belong to a number of trade associations. Each trade association has a logo bearing their initials, and the main associations which are detailed below for convenience are BAR, FIDI, and Fedemac. We also describe QSS and its quality standard.

BAR:   www.bar.co.uk The British Association of Removers

BAR was formed in 1900 and is a trade association that "represents leading removals and storage companies throughout Great Britain and the rest of Europe." 

All BAR members are required to register training records of all their staff, and all members must employ a minimum of 50% staff trained in the art of basic removals.

Members are inspected to ensure that they are operationally and financially sound. They must also follow good practice guidelines, which include:

The use of approved contract conditions.
The availability of approved insurance.
An agreement to use the BAR conciliation service in the event of a dispute.
An independent arbitration service, operated by the Institute of Arbitrators.

Making a domestic emergency guarantee available to customers. This provides you with a 90 day guarantee against unexpected risks such as the inability to complete the move on the prearranged date, mains service problems etc. It provides £1500 worth of protection against the conventional disasters of moving day, and up to £5000 if matters become really serious. Ask your removal company for details of the scheme.

The use of packing cartons capable of being recycled.
Observing the BAR code of practice.

If you wish to know any more about BAR or are unhappy about any aspect of a move undertaken by a BAR member, you should contact:

The Consumer Affairs Advisor, The British Association of Removers,
3 Churchill Court, 58 Station Road, North Harrow HA2 7SA.
Tel: +44-(0)20-8861-3331     Fax: +44-(0)20-8861-3332
E-mail: info@bar.co.uk 

FIDI       www.fidi.com Federation Internationale des Demenageurs Internationaux International Federation of International Furniture Removers

FIDI is a sort of international "trade association of trade associations", and  represents one national association per country. Individual removal companies can only be accredited by FIDI if they are members of their own country's national association. BAR is the national association member of FIDI for the UK.

In order to be an accredited FIDI member, a removal company must satisfy 16 parameters, which cover all aspects of the removal business. When the removal company has been accredited they will receive the FAIM (FIDI Accredited International Mover) standard. This is the only quality standard dedicated to the international moving industry.  The removal company is audited by an independent consultant, who will spend a day going through all aspects of its operations to check compliance with the FAIM requirements. The inspection is conducted every two years.

The advantages of  working with a FIDI agent include:

Meeting strict membership criteria covering financial and operational structure.
Professionally trained staff with special emphasis on overseas moving.
Specialist insurance cover for maximum protection.
Complaints handling - if you cannot resolve a dispute with a FIDI affiliate, the national Member Association will intervene.
Ability to work with another FIDI agent at destination.

FIDI can be contacted at:
FIDI, 69 Rue Picard B5, 1080 Brussels, Belgium.
Tel:+32-(0)2-426-51-60         Fax:+32-(0)2-426-55-23
E-mail: fidi@fidi.com

Fedemac   www.fedemac.com The Federation of European Moving Associations.

FEDEMAC is a lobbying organisation that "represents the interests of around 3460 Professional Moving Companies in 13 European Countries."  

FEDEMAC co-ordinates national activities at a European level. It lobbies on key issues likely to affect the European mover and keeps the industry informed of impending legislation.

FEDEMAC can be contacted at:
FEDEMAC, European Movers, Schulstrasse 53, D-65795 Hattersheim, Germany.
Tel: +49-(0)6190-989811     Fax: +49-(0)6190-989820
E-mail: amoe.troska@t-online.de 

QSS Quality Assured Service Standards.

QSS is certified in the UK "as an assessor of the quality standard BSEN12522 administered by the British Standards Institute." 

This quality standard is aimed specifically at furniture removals for the private individual. We're advised that "a removal company with this quality standard will have to demonstrate their ability to meet its stringent standards on a daily basis." 

Each company is assessed annually.

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