It is the industry’s first ever national, joined-up initiative designed to protect customers and works by gathering evidence and providing the mechanism for taking fast and decisive action against wrongdoers.

“Now there is someone fork lift buyers can turn to if they come across a truck being sold in an unsafe condition, unfit for purpose or dishonestly described,” said FLTA CEO Peter Harvey. “What’s more, they can do so with confidence that the information they give will help to eradicate bad practice nationwide.” 

The scheme has been achieved through close collaboration between the FLTA and West Berkshire District Council, under the government’s Primary Authority Partnership scheme, which allows one local authority to take responsibility for all regulatory advice and guidance to a business or to a group of businesses throughout the whole of the UK.  

While the FLTA provides the fork lift expertise, West Berkshire District Council will deal impartially with Trading Standards on behalf of the public, truck users and FLTA Members.