The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has renewed its calls for the SERMI scheme to be made mandatory in the UK, arguing that the current voluntary approach dilutes the business case for many workshops.
In a recent LinkedIn statement, IAAF Chief Executive Mark Field highlighted the disparity between the UK and the EU, where the scheme is enshrined in law.
He argued that without a similar legal mandate here, the “business case” for joining currently appeals primarily to workshops already “heavily involved in anti-theft related security work” rather than the wider market.
The “Voluntary” challenge
While the scheme, managed in the UK by RMI Standards and Certification, offers a unified solution to security access, the IAAF suggests that its “voluntary” status limits its immediate power.
Because UK law does not yet force every manufacturer to adopt the single-certificate model exclusively, the “one key” promise of SERMI relies on manufacturer cooperation rather than legal obligation.
Related: What is SERMI? Everything independent garages need to know
The Federation argues that until this changes, general service workshops may struggle to see the immediate Return on Investment (ROI) that their European counterparts enjoy.
Far from dismissing the scheme, the IAAF is actively lobbying to strengthen it.
The Federation confirmed it will “continue to lobby for the scheme to be mandated,” a move that would effectively force a level playing field and make SERMI the universal standard for the UK aftermarket.
Clarity on access
The statement also serves as a reminder that the scheme is open to the entire industry.
The IAAF clarified that garages “do not need to be part of any association to join,” ensuring that every “Independent Operator”, regardless of affiliation, can access the accreditation if their workload requires it.
The IAAF has pledged to continue supporting garages in navigating this complex legislative landscape.
The verdict, at the moment
For now, the advice appears to be: assess your workload.
For general service and repair workshops: The IAAF suggests the case is less urgent until legislation catches up.
For security specialists: SERMI is a vital tool for key coding and ECU work.
