The federation said it would be working on its own quality initiative for repairers over the coming year although it has not yet confirmed when the scheme will be announced. However Ray Holloway, director of the RMI Independent Garage and Fuel Division, revealed that both the Office of Fair Trading and the Department of Trade & Industry were being fully informed about all developments. He emphasised that nothing had been ruled out with any potential future partner. But he added: “We are keen to have a workable scheme in place first. “We are developing the initiative with a view to get everyone supporting it – however I cannot give a date on when the details of the scheme will be announced.” Holloway said the RMI had already polled 100 members for their views on what was needed in a quality scheme and had interviewed 70 of them face-to-face. He added: “Their support was extremely encouraging, particularly their willingness to get involved and see standards in the industry improved and maintained. “Although we have had a great deal of consultation with our membership, however, we have to make sure the scheme is practical to implement as we move forward.” As previously reported, the RMI and the Scottish Motor Trade Association had been attempting to achieve full accreditation for their CarWise quality scheme under the OFT Codes of Practice. But both associations withdrew the initiative before it was fully ratified in September. They branded the watchdog as responsible for the collapse of the scheme. The withdrawal prompted renewed calls for garage and technician licensing from the consumer group Which? Campaigners from the group argued that industry self-regulation had failed while the issue of garage standards was raised in the House of Commons by Vale of Clywd MP Chris Ruane.