Version 7 of the FORS Standard applies to organisations with audit dates on and after 2 January 2025. There are a small number of provisions in place for reapproval audits to support the transition between Version 6 and 7.

Bronze

D1 Licensing

FORS Operators shall have a procedure reflecting the changes in frequency, to check and verify all driver licences, categories, expiry dates, endorsements and restrictions. Though, if no records to evidence that the change has been implemented, a minor action point will be recorded.

O2 Emissions, air quality and environmental impact

The policy and procedures shall outline the organisation’s commitment to environmental performance, name the Fuel and Emissions Champion and describe how: Fuel usage data is collected and monitored by VRM, including AdBlue where relevant and the diesel to AdBlue ratio. If there is no AdBlue to diesel ratio calculated, a minor action point will be recorded.

Silver

S2 Performance data

From 2 January 2025, operators shall start collecting and calculating the well to wheel emissions data in the FORS Emissions Calculator (or approved equivalent). From 2 January 2026, 12 months data shall be demonstrated at audit.

S5 Professional development

The mandatory FORS Professional Development requirements shall be completed as set out at Annex 1 (for drivers and PLV riders) and Annex 2 (for managers). Though, for re-approval audits from 2 January 2025, FORS Practitioner 16 – Introduction to Decarbonisation, may be booked for completion within three months of the audit date (minor). For initial applications in 2025, FP16 must be completed, otherwise a major action point will be recorded.

Gold

G3 Decarbonisation strategy

FORS Operators shall develop, implement and maintain a decarbonisation strategy. For re-approvals in 2025, the decarbonisation strategy must be in place, but the emissions performance targets for years 2028, 2030, 2035 and 2040 can be added to the strategy from 2 January 2026, when the emissions baseline has been established.