The quality requirements of Bustransport Nederland must be checked by independent companies.
Bustransport Nederland considers quality so self-evident that meeting established quality requirements has been a condition for membership of the sector association since 1 January of this year. The relevant quality requirements have been laid down by the trade association in the Quality Standard for Bus Transport in the Netherlands.
The updated quality standard prescribes that companies with a size of 6 or more coaches must have ISO9001 and must be independently checked for a large number of non-statutory requirements. Companies with a maximum of 5 coaches do not have to be ISO9001 certified, but just like the larger companies, they must meet the extra-statutory quality requirements. This should also be independently verified. With the introduction of the obligation, Bus Transport Netherlands also hopes to set the industry standard for the coming years.
Previously, the Touringcar company quality mark (SKTB, until 2020) existed in the industry. This quality mark was placed in a separate foundation that independently supervised compliance with the quality mark requirements. By making the quality requirements mandatory, Bus Transport Netherlands does not want to go back to such a construction.
"We have now embedded the quality requirements in the DNA of the association. Unlike a separate foundation, the entire association now stands for high quality for coach companies. There is no longer any distinction. Compare it with other trade associations, whose name is in has become popularly synonymous with quality and reliability. Ultimately, as an association, you want to move towards such a situation. The introduction of a mandatory quality standard is therefore a very logical step in the existence of Bus Transport Netherlands."
The quality requirements of Bustransport Nederland must be checked by independent companies. In practice, this means that inspection bodies engaged by a coach company must be accredited by the Dutch Accreditation Council for both ISO audits and inspections. Bodies that have been conducting audits in the coach sector for many years, such as DEKRA and KIWA, among others, comply with this.
quality standard
The fact that all members of BVN must meet the same requirements ensures clarity for clients and fellow companies. They know at a glance that a company meets high quality requirements. Carlo Cahn about this: 'It is a good idea for contracting authorities and tour operators that they know exactly what requirements each BVN company meets. Quality control is firmly secured in this way.'
The quality standard is unique in Europe and contains various regulations in the field of quality and safety, such as having an up-to-date maintenance program and VOG statements for drivers. The BVN quality standard is not protected or for the exclusive use of BVN members. Wider application of the standard is actually encouraged.
Carlo Cahn: “I am proud that at least our members meet the high quality standard. This does not directly say anything about the quality of non-members. They will only have to make more effort to demonstrate to clients that they meet the safety requirements. Members of BVN can demonstrate this through membership. BVN membership is therefore synonymous with quality.”
