New AIC regulations on the way

The Department of Environment, Culture and local Government (DECLG) is set to unveil new regulations to govern the Accredited Inspection Contractor (AIC) Scheme.

Bodyshop.ie has learned that the new regulations will be signed into law by Minister Phil Hogan in the coming weeks.

The DECLG recently undertook a review of the regulations, taking into account issues raised by operators. The cost of inspections was the main issue, and it is understood that that the new regulations will facilitate a reduction in the cost of renewal.

The review focused on the limited number of inspection bodies currently in the market and concerns over the financial burden imposed by the inspection process.

At present there is just one Authorised Inspection Contractor (AIC) in the country, Certification Europe Ltd. When the scheme was first established there was three AICs in the country.

It now seems likely that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be charged with administering the approval of inspection bodies. Under the current scheme, the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) is responsible for accreditation.

Get the full story in the Irish Bodyshop Journal out next week.