The European Security-related Repair and Maintenance Information (SERMI) scheme, through which garages will be able to access essential information such as keys and ECU coding from vehicle manufacturers, is now just months away from launching – and organisations across the industry are saying it is the “right opportunity” for the sector at the right time.
The scheme is to be supported by the Independent Garage Association (IGA) through its RMI Standards and Certification business, its wholly owned subsidiary. SERMI has been rolling out across the continent since October 2023.
Priority
With approval from the UKAS national accreditation body now imminent, IGA director Jon Douglass said the SERMI scheme should officially launch by the end of the year: “We are just waiting to be among the next tranche of countries to get the green light, which could happen before the end of 2025.”
Approval by the UKAS was the penultimate step in what has been a 16-year journey.
“There has been a surge in garages expressing interest following the announcement of UKAS approval,” said Douglass.
Each initial SERMI application applies to a garage’s owner and one technician, for £30 per month for five years. Additional technicians can also register for a one-off fee of £125. “This is being delivered on a not-for-profit basis in the UK,” Douglass noted. “For the IGA, the priority is making sure that the right opportunity comes to our industry at a price that's not inhibitive in any way.”
Process
The advent of SERMI in the UK also will mean independents will need to sharpen their focus around training, according to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). A spokesperson said: “The SERMI scheme provides a great opportunity for independent garages to compete for younger vehicles which, to date, have largely been supported by the franchise sector.”
As the deadline approaches for the scheme to go live, the IMI is urging smaller businesses to focus on ensuring technicians have the necessary training and certification. The spokesperson added: “It’s another challenge when they are already grappling with significant skills gaps, as the latest IMI vacancies data underlines. The IMI’s latest labour market analysis shows there are 14,000 automotive vacancies, with 2.3 vacancies for every 100 employees. The subdued recruitment landscape is also a serious concern for long-term skills supply.
“The IMI supports the SERMI certification process by accrediting training centres that provide bespoke remote technician training.”
Potential
The UK has opted for SERMI certification to be voluntary – unlike in the EU, where the scheme is mandatory. Could this be an issue?
IAAF technical director Neil Pattemore said: “We welcome the introduction of the SERMI scheme in the UK, which offers a genuine one-stop-shop solution, simplifying how independent garages can obtain the security-related RMI they need from vehicle manufacturers. As vehicles become ever more advanced and cybersecurity requirements increase, SERMI has the potential to evolve further to cover wider aspects of access and compliance.”
However, Pattemore said, “this creates uncertainty, as it is not yet clear how many vehicle manufacturers will adopt the scheme here”.
“For those that choose not to, independent workshops will still need to navigate the proprietary registration requirements of each manufacturer, creating additional complexity and cost.”
Pattemore added: “To deliver on the original legislative intent – a single accreditation system that applies across all manufacturers and workshops – it is vital that the UK government moves to make SERMI mandatory. Only then will the scheme fully reduce burdens, level the playing field, and provide consistent, affordable access to essential RMI for the UK aftermarket.”
Protection
Could existing requirements enshrined via Block Exemption provide a framework?
Kevan Wooden, CEO of LKQ UK & Ireland said: "I recently received from Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for Future of Roads, confirmation that whilst the government doesn’t currently intend to mandate SERMI in Great Britain – unlike Europe and Northern Ireland – it does expect every vehicle manufacturer to comply with their existing legal requirements to provide access to RMI. This is great clarity for us to have.
“I also had the privilege of talking to the IAAF, IGA and [The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders] together as our major supporters of the independent aftermarket. We all believe it makes sense to have as much alignment as possible across Europe and for the SERMI scheme to have support.”
Wooden added: “Having one common standard for protecting vehicle security, reduces administration for everyone and creates improved protection and service to the consumer, manufacturer, and garage alike.”
Providers
With a number of vehicle manufacturers now on board according to the IGA’s Jon Douglass, the stage is set for SERMI to change the way security information is managed in the sector, with remote service suppliers ultimately needing to be part of the scheme, including dedicated data providers. “SERMI will work in everyone’s interest, from VMs to third party data providers to garages, ensuring that the right data gets to the right people,” said Douglass.
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