The RV Owners Association are contacting RV related traders across the UK in an effort to extend choice when new ECWVTA / bIVA legislation is introduced.

As highlighted elsewhere on this website, new bIVA testing procedures will be a mandatory requirement for ALL motorhomes imported into the UK (and Europe) from 2012 (voluntary from 2009).

This new legislation is likely to result in private importers seeking the assistance of competent RV service centres to ensure compliance (though, if you are technically minded you may be able to work your way thru the technical stuff and complete any modifications yourself).

The Department for Transport and VOSA are arranging special "training sessions" to cover all aspects of the new legislative requirements.

However, until recently, only the RV Dealers Association (RVDA) were invited to attend these important fact finding sessions.

The RVOA were concerned that this could restrict choice when it came to meeting the requirements of bIVA - if members of the RVDA were the only people with detailed knowledge of the requirements they would be in a position to levy disproportionate charges for their services.

So, we have arranged with the various Government departments for the RV Owners Association to send a team to one of these important training sessions.

It is with this in mind that the RVOA are inviting a select number of RV related traders (with a service centre facility) to attend on its behalf.

The idea is a very simple one; if more RV service centres have knowledge of the technical requirements of bIVA, there will be more choice for a private importer - which should hopefully result in a cost and time/fuel saving.

So, if you operate an RV service facility and are interested in attending a VOSA-led training session please contact us.

All we ask is that you cover your own costs in attending the event and provide a written summary for our members; covering the requirements of the legislation. We will then detail your Company on the RVOA website.

Dates are yet to be confirmed, but are unlikely to take place until 2009.