Technical 17 www.aftermarketonline.net APRIL 2025 UK finally set to roll out SERMI Repairify’s international MD, Phil Peace, sheds light on the scheme and its implications for Aftermarket readers As the automotive industry evolves, so do the regulations and requirements within it. One such change is the introduction of SERMI, a security-related vehicle repair authorisation scheme launched in October 2023. Sweden was the first country to implement it, followed by Norway, Denmark, and Finland, before expanding across Europe. SERMI is expected to be rolled out in the UK in the near future. This initiative is far more than just a bureaucratic formality. It ensures that all vehicle repairers and technicians working on security and theft-related components are registered with a centralised body and checked against strict criteria. Ultimately, SERMI aims to combat vehicle theft, an issue affecting both bustling cities and quiet rural communities. Naturally, with any new regulation, questions arise in workshops, on social media, and in online forums. SERMI came into being after legislation was introduced by the EU parliament (European Directive (EU) No 2018/858) meaning that vehicle manufacturers are required to provide unrestricted and standardised access to repair and maintenance information (RMI) to independent operators (IOs) and remote service suppliers (RSS). This means that access to securityrelated RMI which also includes diagnostic tools, may be subject to specific security standards and certificates. The legislation specifically defines security-related RMI as information, software, functions and services necessary for repairing and maintaining vehicle features that prevent theft, enable vehicle tracking, and facilitate recovery. As a result, the regulation has specified the introduction of SERMI to enable a one-stop shop for accreditation to enable shops to access security information across all vehicle manufacturers (VM) as opposed to having to be accredited by each VM. In Europe, the scheme is mandatory, so all OEs have to conform to it, and with the process being standardised it means that the OEs have had to adapt their systems to be able to accept an individual’s credentials and SERMI certification to be able to access the OE tool. When the UK version of the scheme arrives it will be voluntary for OEs to register. Once launched in the UK, manufacturers will be able to opt into the scheme and from what we are seeing, the UK vehicle manufacturers are largely supportive of the introduction of the scheme. Alongside the manufacturers, the IO (repairer) will also need to be registered on the SERMI scheme to enable them to obtain the credentials to access the RMI for security and theft-related information. However, if the repairer is using an RSS such as Repairify, that business and its employees must also have credentials to be able to open the tool. When it comes to vehicle repairers, they will need to be registered under the SERMI scheme with both the repairer and technician meeting certain criteria (such as a DBS check) and to ensure everyone is compliant, there will be a national body in each country auditing the repairers to ensure all the necessary paperwork is there. Ultimately SERMI will be an asset for the industry because it will improve consumer confidence while ensuring that security-sensitive repairs are performed by vetted professionals who meet strict industry standards. Visit https://independentgarage association.co.uk/trade-topics/ sermi/ for details of the scheme.
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