The Vehicle Repairers Association has welcomed news that new draft regulations concerning environmental enforcement in the accident repair sector, currently being formulated by the Department of Environment, Culture and Local Government (DECLG),

could be in place as early as the start of next year.

Sean McCarthy, one of the founders of the VRA said, “We have kept up our dialogue with the EPA who are overseeing this process and the indications are that there could be new draft regulations published by the end of October and these could be signed off by the end of the year.” He added, “Although this timetable is subject to official confirmation it does indicate that this issue is being give much needed priority by the EPA and DECLG and that new rules should now be in place earlier than we first anticipated.”

Over the past eighteen months the VRA has campaigned strongly to have what it called the injustice of environmental enforcement addressed, so that compliant repairers where not faced with so much cost and administrative burden. The association has also consistently highlighted the lack of enforcement of the regulations allowing unlicensed operators to operate illegally while undercutting registered repairers.

Although precise details of the new regulations have yet to be confirmed the VRA believes the new regulations are likely to see reduced inspection costs and frequency and the possibility of new AICs coming into the market. It has also been made clear that any new benefits that the new regulations will bring will only be available to bodyshop operators who have maintained their license.

Sean says, “The VRA has worked very hard to address an unfair situation that is actually putting good bodyshops out of business. We hope the new regulations will provide some relief to repairers in difficult times and in the meantime we would urge anyone concerned about unlicensed operators in their area to make an official compliant via the EPA Hotline.”

The National Environmental Com plaints Line can be called on 1850 365 121.