THE Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has launched the first phase of its commercial vehicle body-builder best practice recommendations.

Based on self-certification, the practical guidelines aim to help the industry raise its standards and prepare for future whole-vehicle type-approval law.

‘Basically to follow these best practice recommendations a body-builder needs to say what it what it will do, do it and then prove it,’ said Peter Rotherham, chairman of the SMMT’s commercial vehicle body-builder committee.

‘These straightforward steps mirror the principles that underlie whole-vehicle type-approval proposals.’