News 14 www.aftermarketonline.net September 2024 /LFHQVLQJ ELG WR ᎯXVK RXW XQODZIXO KDQG FDU ZDVKLQJ ,1(26 VLJQV XS IRU 702 VWDQGDUGV DFFUHGLWDWLRQ Proposals that could pave the way for a national licensing scheme for hand car washes are set to be published later this year — as the government pledges a crackdown on unlawful business activity and unlawful working in the sector, Aftermarket has learned. Home secretary Yvette Cooper said on July 21 that car washes and nail bars would be among businesses targeted by immigration officers over the summer. Prof Ian Clark — who is leading the Work Informalisation & Place Research Group at Nottingham Trent University in preparing the car wash licensing scheme study — told Aftermarket he welcomed fresh impetus for the work. Clark, a work and employment specialist, said car washes and nail bars are the two “premier sectors” at risk of unlawful working practices and potential links to criminal activities. He said his team are working with the Car Wash Association (CWA) and Petrol Retailers Association as a “critical friend”. Both associations have used the team’s research in submissions to ministers. Work on the proposed licensing scheme was paused when the general election was called but has now resumed. CWA executive director Gordon Balmer said: “In a modern society, there is no place for modern slavery. We welcome the government’s initiative to target businesses employing illegal workers in car washes. However, it is disappointing that it has taken so long to address this well-documented issue. “The CWA has long been deeply concerned about the persistent presence of non-compliant hand car washes operating illegally and disregarding health and safety standards.” Balmer said the CWA had long lobbied previous ministers over the issue but had been “largely ignored”. “We were early supporters and funders of the Responsible Car Wash Scheme, which submitted a comprehensive report to the Home Office in September 2022. Unfortunately, the report did not receive the attention it deserved.” INEOS Automotive has become the latest company to sign up to The Motor Ombudsman’s Motor Industry Code of Practice for new cars. INEOS joins a portfolio of 45 vehicle manufacturers in the UK with accreditation to TMO’s Chartered Trading Standards Institute-approved Motor Industry Codes of Practice for new cars and vehicle sales. Accreditation means pledging to go beyond standards required by law with regards to the provision of new vehicles and new car warranties, including ensuring that spare parts are made available once a new model is launched. INEOS Automotive is a subsidiary of INEOS, a leading manufacturer of petrochemicals, speciality chemicals and oil products. The 4X4 maker’s accreditation under the Vehicle Sales Code covers consumers configuring and ordering any model from the marque’s expanding Grenadier line-up directly via the INEOS Automotive website. Bill Fennell, TMO chief ombudsman and MD, said INEOS’ accreditation comes as part “of our overriding goal of continuing to drive standards even higher in the automotive sector and shaping best practice for the benefit of businesses and consumers”. Fennell said in an exclusive article for Aftermarket, published in May, that cost of living pressures were a likely key driver in the record number of service and repair cases referred to TMO’s alternative dispute resolution service in a single quarter. ([RO H[SRUWV DZDUG IRU $OJHULD GLVWULEXWRU UK-based Exol Lubricants has presented its top award for exports to its distributor in Algeria. Exol Algerie has been honoured with the firm’s export distributor of the year award for 2023. An Exol spokesperson told Aftermarket the award is presented annually to one of its export distributors in recognition of outstanding performance, growth and dedication to excellence in the Algerian market. Exol Algerie holds an exclusive and long-standing agreement that grants it the sole rights to blend and market the entire Exol product range at its blending plant in Oran, northwest Algeria. The agreement was signed in 2017, after Exol Algerie unveiled the 40,000 MT/year blending facility. Last year, Exol Algerie made significant investments in packaging enhancements and introduced multi-language labels with QR codes — showcasing its dedication to customer satisfaction and brand elevation, the company said.
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