FIDI has announced the publishing of the approved FAIM 2022 Standard that will be subject to third-party audits from January 2023. The new Standard replaces the current FAIM 3.2 Standard.

John Prooij, Project Manager Quality & Risk at FIDI explained that the FIDI-FAIM accreditation programme provides international movers with a periodic independent assessment of their cross-border and international moving activities. This creates a worldwide common Standard for managing and performing the international moving services in a uniformed, quality-minded and effective way. “FAIM (FIDI Accredited International Mover) is the most stringent, all-encompassing quality programme, recognised for two decades as a supreme seal of quality by customers of the international moving industry,” he said.

He explained that, during 2021, when remote auditing was mandatory, it had been possible to assess the level of ‘digital readiness’ of FIDI Affiliates. This showed some challenges for the auditors, specifically during the assessment of move files (digital vs hard copy), warehouse (digital access) and generally in the assessment of FAIM performance requirements that couldn't be demonstrated in a digital way.

The assessment also showed that 40-45% of Affiliates were not really equipped to undergo a credible remote audit that safeguarded the required high level of quality. “FAIM 2022 shall, therefore, contain a specific pre-requisite related to the digital readiness of an Affiliate,” said John.  “The objective is to ensure that future FAIM models can be subject to a remote audit for all members without compromising the credibility of the FAIM Quality Standard.”

John explained that the intention is to deploy the FAIM 2022 Quality Standard as the ultimate vehicle to lift the whole FIDI membership to digital proficiency.  “It is important to note that the objective is not only related for audit purposes, but to strategically place FIDI Affiliates in pole position to demonstrate being the obvious, efficient, ‘fully digital’ quality partner for corporates, supply chain and end-customers,” he said.

Affiliates will be assessed to FAIM 2022, through a physical audit, in line with their current FAIM certificate expiry date.  In the future, the Standard, and any updates, may be done remotely but there will be no compromise on quality. “The plan is to physically audit the FAIM 2022 Quality Standard completely on-site,” explained John. “During this on-site visit, Affiliates need to demonstrate to the independent auditor there is a feasible plan in place that ensures the Affiliate will be not only ‘digitally ready’ to undergo future FAIM Quality Standards remotely, but also to comply with FIDI's strategic direction.”    

As well as demonstrating digital proficiency, the following three main pillars define the new FAIM 2022 Quality Standard:

Cyber Security has been identified as the greatest threat facing the world economy over the next 10 years. Among all the myriad worries faced by global leaders, they placed Cyber Security threats above all other major concerns. It is therefore no surprise that Cyber Security Management made its way into the FAIM 2022 Standard.

Risk Management is often perceived as the mother of all quality concepts, and COVID-19 really emphasised its importance. FAIM Applicants must demonstrate awareness and detail their risk management procedures and actions to ensure safety, security and the least disruption to services and operations. Hence, Risk Management is considered a key pillar of the FAIM 2022 Standard.

Corporate Sustainability can be described as a business strategy for long-term growth that works in harmony with people and the planet. FAIM Applicants that embrace this new era of Corporate Sustainability requirements are securing themselves a place in the future economy and don't face the risk of getting left behind. More and more attention and emphasis is given to Corporate Sustainability in the relocation industry, hence its incorporation into the FAIM 2022 Standard.

Photo: John Prooij.