Thatcham Accreditation / Approval for van security? Removal of categories for TQA and TRI

Yes that's right, no van deadlocks from any manufacturer are Thatcham Accredited or Thatcham Approved since the 1st January 2019 when Thatcham had a major shake up of it's TQA (Thatcham Quality Assurance) and it's TRI (Thatcham Recognised Installer) schemes. The reason for the shake ups are unknown for sure, but it seems that it was not viable for Thatcham to have so many categories for their aftermarket accredited products and approved installers?

We saw major changes with the TRI (installers) scheme being removed for all categories (except their core stolen theft vehicle tracking categories). The categories for the tracking products themselves (Thatcham Category 5 and 6) which have been around for along time, were removed and replaced with categories S5 and S7. Many insurance companies are still insisting that customers of high value cars and vans have the old category trackers fitted (which no longer exist), so it has been taking some time for the changes to be understood by the industry and the general public.

At Sussex Installations we still supply and install products that have Thatcham accreditation for the categories that are left; products such as trackers and alarms, but our core business here at Sussex Installations is physical van security products and van security packages; which no longer have a category for Thatcham to test and approve these products.

• The Category 3: Mechanical Immobiliser - Category removed
  
• Opportunist Theft Deterrent: Automotive Replacement & Supplementary Locks - Category removed
• Opportunist Theft Deterrent: Mechanical OBD Port Protection - Category removed

The T Series deadlocks that we sell are still the same great locks that had Thatcham accreditation, but unfortunately they and no other van deadlocks have Thatcham approval now. Nothing has changed, you should still only purchase quality products from a trusted van security business; in the same way that you should always have done so! The message simply is to take advise on your van security from an expert business, purchase your van security products from an expert business and only have your van security products fitted by an expert business!

If you see any reference to van deadlocks being Thatcham Accredited, Approved or insurance approved on any website or in social media posts? Then please inform the business owner that they are incorrect and should address their mistaken information (this also includes us! We have taken great care to make sure that our information is correct, but it is possible that there are still references to our T Series locks being Thatcham Approved somewhere in cyber space). We have also been working with Locks 4 Vans on this issue and they will be emailing all of their customers today to make them aware of this important point; incase there is any doubt about van deadlocks having Thatcham Accreditation / Approval.