GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #32 | Page 46

SAFETY MATTERS WITH JAMES FIELD KEYED IN WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING TO PURCHASE A CARAVAN, CAMPER OR MOTORHOME, IT’S IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR RESEARCH. Recreational vehicles are great fun — but you don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself by potentially purchasing a product that may not suit your needs or expectations. Looking for an industry business that is RVMAP- accredited is a great starting point. The Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Accreditation Program, or RVMAP, is a voluntary industry accreditation program managed by Caravan Industry Association of Australia. RVMAP accreditation represents a business’s commitment to consistently producing and/or supplying product that adheres to relevant Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and federal compliance regulations. Currently 65 businesses representing over 90 per cent of Australian-manufactured product participate in the program, subjecting themselves to voluntary compliance reviews on a regular basis. Over 1000 compliance reviews were conducted last year on industry product, with a further 1000 business follow- up visits conducted in the interests of better consumer outcomes. 46 \ Further to this, accredited businesses are also committed to working with industry to improve industry standards as well as their own product improvement. Accredited businesses have access to extensive technical support to ensure their industry and product knowledge is continually updated.  So when looking around to purchase your new caravan, camper or motorhome, make sure you look for the Accreditation Key! – James Field is the chief technical officer of Caravan Industry Association of Australia + ACCREDITED BUSINESSES