Use of the AA logo

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

what are the repercussions and penalties for using the Logo incorrectly..?

 

I read somewhere that watchdog ere initially trying to expose a company claiming to be AAAC but that program never aired or I missed it.

 

I would be interested in hearing an answer, cheers.

 

Rich

 

 

Hi Rich, thanks for the post.

 

The AA logo's are privately registered which means we (the AA) can take civil action against those 'passing off' as an AAAC but are not, trouble is it's very expensive to do so and even if you win, as we have previously, the offender essentially 'gets a slap on the wrist', told not to do it again and to pay back our expenses...based on their ability to pay, i.e. £5 a week (or similar) = wot a farce!!!

 

Trading Standards can also take criminal action and, interestingly, seem to be getting more active in this area, probably in part due to 'Rogue Traders' programme.

 

To be honest with persistent and determined offenders the law isn't very helpful (an understatement???) and it's very difficult to deter them and get a satisfactory outcome.

 

BBC Watchdog are in contact with us and we are currently 'on the look out', so to speak, for a suitable case of logo mis-use combined with bad practice , 'ripping' clients off and intinidation, ideally, to complete the compliment. Trouble is we can't find one!

 

From a members point of view, ultimately, memebrship can be removed (but seldom is this done as we just point out the error of their ways and they 'play ball'.)

 

Cheers..

Paul

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

ISA it is instead then:thumbup1:

 

I just thought it would help promote the AA and bring in more revenue to help them achieve 'higher' goals etc.

 

NO, NO, NOOOOOOO......we have some very nice 'stickers', maybe not the biggest ones but "size don't always matter" (apparently), well we will/should have soon...'watch this space'!

 

Paul

[Paul Smith]

Paul,

 

what do you have to do to get the AA approval, and whats the cost time scales etc?

 

Paul

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

I think its a great idea if its similar to the isa schemes which seem widely accepted in the states. It means everyone has a workable progression to follow for their business, I'm sure this would reduce the us and them mentality between aaac and non aaac.

 

The only reason I can see someone wanting to use the aa logo is to try to promote their business by implying they have official accreditaion, ie pay some money to get a logo to try to impress potential clients.

 

The thing that bugs me about aaac gripes is that people say its for big co's. All the scheme is, is an assesment of the companys comitment to working to best practice. I had 1 employee and 1 part timer when we went for it. It took less time to work towards than most of us spend on this forum and the assesment fee was less than my yellow pages bill. All the stuff you are assesed on is the stuff we ought to do anyway. The assesment criteria looks daunting to someone whos office system needs work so that puts most people off. When Paul comes to do the assesment you recieve a lot of guidance so I think a tiered scheme would not only be benificial for the industry but help us all to comply with all the legislation imposed on us.

 

The problem is when all these other schemes like chas appear and different clients support different schemes. This does not help anyone as we can't afford to do it all so will select those that bring in the work.

 

Gibbon, thanks for the post and for the very 'applied'(?) way you present the process of achieving AAAC.

 

I honestly wonder whether the 'standards/qualifying criteria' (Appendix E) we produce, i.e. all 17 pages (see http://www.trees.org.uk/downloads/aaactcs_v7-2_0110.pdf) actually help or hinder us. I previously expanded these form the original 6 pages of tick boxes in an attempt to clarify what was required AND add (hopefully) helpful comments, BUT maybe in so doing I actually did the opposite...dunno! Anyway, another thought out loud.

 

I reply principally to remind people the AAAC accreditation is now 'dualled' with CHAS, i.e 'two for one'...BOGOFF???...PARDON!!!! This has undoubtedly helped increase the recognition and credibility of the AAAC scheme, and in particular outside of the arb industry.

 

My next plan is to get the scheme recognised in its own right as part of the 'Sector Schemes in Procurement' (SSIP, see SSIP - Safety Schemes In Procurement) which should increase this even further and, in an ideal world (does that really ever exist?) will mean the scheme has equal recognition with CHAS/exor/SafeContractor etc. BUT MORE AAACS & A BIGGER VOICE WOULD CLEARLY HELP HERE!!!

 

PLUS we then need to better market and promote the scheme and standards and, whilst I have some ideas, this is absolutely not my domain. I also see value in getting the scheme ISO9001 (UKAS), yet again to add further credibility. So why am I telling you all this?..i) you should know what you're industry body is aiming towards, ii) because hopefully you'll see we are a credible body in which to place your faith (and money...sorry, necessary evil etc!)....oh n also because I get bored easily...'yeah, right!'

 

Thanks again..

Paul

 

PS Glad to hear you found the whole process of assesment useful as well as beneficial.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

I think the AAAC becoming more wide spread would help this, as it could become the industry bench mark, so other schemes would be asked for less.

 

'Skyhuck', absolutely!

 

See my previous post. I used to think this was unachievable, hence the current CHAS arrangement, BUT with the SSIP now there's an opportunity.

 

Cheers..

Paul

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Paul,

 

what do you have to do to get the AA approval, and whats the cost time scales etc?

 

Paul

 

Hi 'Deerman', thanks for the post and enquiry.

 

To get approval you have to present your company to the AA for assessemtn/audit (involving 2 assessors being with you for a long, but pleasurable, day) hopefully with a positive outcome. Not a sales pitch at all but regardless of the outcome, as the reality is with so much stuuf to cover and see something's gonna be missing, almost all firms comment the day has been useful and helpful (we're never trying to catch anyone out but trying to catch everyone 'in'!)

 

The key areas covered are:

1. Office procedures / customer care / insurances & licences

2. H&S compliance / training & competence

3. Worksite audit (inc. rigging ops., ideally with sectional felling)

4. Completed works audit (inc. planting, 1 std. tree, & pruning, 2x reductions + 2x thins)

5. Workplace H&S audit (office, stores, workshop, yard etc.)

6. Arb technical knowledge assessment (detailed, but gentle, Q&A session throughout the day, often applied or scenario based)

 

see http://www.trees.org.uk/downloads/aaactcs_v7-2_0110.pdf for further (detailed) info.

 

The cost is currently approx. £870+VAT and this include your first 12months subs from the date of approval (if, as is sometimes the case first time round, we have to revisit the company a further fee approx. £440+VAT is incurred...this is only required where something considered either major, is amiss, or where lots of minor issues are found). Thereafter subs are £450 per year and include your firms entry onto the AA website and into the hard copy Directory.

 

Timescales currently, after receipt of application and fee, 4-6 weeks to visit the firm (but this is flexible). To put the necessary systems / procedures etc. in place can be anything upto 12 months dependent upon time / resources available.

 

AGAIN, "foot, shoot & myself", BUT if there is no pressing urgency I would advise waiting to see how/if the scheme is modified in the near future and particularly for small firms, 'less than 5 employees'.

 

Hoping this answers your questions, post back if not or if more.

 

Thanks..

 

Paul

[Mesterh]

NO, NO, NOOOOOOO......we have some very nice 'stickers', maybe not the biggest ones but "size don't always matter" (apparently), well we will/should have soon...'watch this space'!

 

Paul

 

 

Thought that might grab your attention:001_smile: although since you seem to manage to answer every question that has been asked lately looks like I didnt need to say the above.

 

 

I wasnt aware that 'members' could use any type of advertisement that they are a member of the AA.If its on your web site I musta missed it.

 

Can totally understand that AAAC's should have a unique logo and wouldnt dispute that at all.They have obviously put the time effort and money in and truly deserve to show that.

 

In regards to the post about the cost, is there anything specific that the AA feels that companies struggle with in achieving AAAC status?

 

 

Thanks for all the info provided much appreciated.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

 

Thought that might grab your attention:001_smile: although since you seem to manage to answer every question that has been asked lately looks like I didnt need to say the above.

 

 

I wasnt aware that 'members' could use any type of advertisement that they are a member of the AA.If its on your web site I musta missed it.

 

Can totally understand that AAAC's should have a unique logo and wouldnt dispute that at all.They have obviously put the time effort and money in and truly deserve to show that.

 

In regards to the post about the cost, is there anything specific that the AA feels that companies struggle with in achieving AAAC status?

 

 

Thanks for all the info provided much appreciated.

 

Hey 'Mesterh', tahks for the reply.

 

The issue concerning members being allowed to us ethe AA logo is curently under review with a very serious consideration taht they should. BUT, currently, they cannot...only the AA, AAACs & AARCs.

 

To be honest, and believe it or not, it's often 'work quality' that lets applicants down. PLus often associated arb knowledge. The other stuffs easy to sort.

 

Cheers..

 

Paul

 

PS Sorry rushed reply, just leaving home (S.Devon) to travel to London...aghhh!!!

[john dawson]

You can use the ISA.

 

erm.........i believe the diplomatic answer is "no ta"

[john dawson]

so when u get these stickers etc sorted, just put me down 4 a free helmet sticker (or three) please!!