RQC Dealer Registration Scheme

The possibility of a dealer registration scheme has been the subject of much discussion across the Local Customer Panels. Feedback from panel members has been sought as to the drawbacks and benefits of such a scheme and how it could be implemented and enforced. Issues that have been discussed at Panel meetings have included:

Would it benefit the customer?

Who will decide who is an approved dealer?

Should manufacturers as well as dealers be involved?

How do dealers get on the list?

Who would set the Code of Practice that would be needed for the list?

Will customer have a say about who will be on the list?

The scheme would need to be industry driven and regulated by an independent body such as the Radio Quality Council (RQC) or Federation of Communication Systems (FCS). Dealers would need to declare compliance with a specific standard such as MPT1368. It is intended that any scheme that may be developed will include the listing of registered dealers on a website operated by perhaps the RQC or FCS, with a hyper link to/from the Agency's own website. This should assist customers in purchasing equipment from reputable dealers and consequently improve the 20% + discrepancy rate for new PMR installations which the Agency is finding during inspections carried out by local office staff.

A proposal was put forward at the last RQC meeting held earlier in 2001 for a dealer registration scheme. This is currently being considered by members of the RQC with a view to confirming its scope, implementation and oversight. It is hoped that the RQC will meet again in the near future to review progress.