Time to Roam Magazine Issue 3 - June/July 2013 | Page 9

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upfront news

Buyers beware – new scheme to
weed out dodgy imports
The major players in Australia’s caravan
and recreational vehicle industry hope new
quality accreditation system will help buyers
steer clear of shoddy imports.
RVM Australia has launched the new
system of self-regulation at a time when
the high Australian dollar has made it more
attractive for overseas companies to target
local buyers with products that often don’t
meet Australian standards.
The CEO of the peak lobby group, David
Duncan, said the organisation would now roll
out an audit process covering its member
base of 90 manufacturers.
“There is no mandatory regulatory
system, pretty much anyone can set up and
start selling – and who is to say the product
is of sufficient quality?,” Mr Duncan said.

Once successful, RVM Australia believes
it could lobby Government to have the
compliance system applied to imports, to
create more level playing field.
“We’re not a protectionist organisation, we
have no problem with imports as long as they
comply with Australian Standards. We’d like
to see more rigorous checks,” he said.

RVM Australia CEO David Duncan

Mr Duncan said RVM accreditation
scheme was based on ensuring quality. It’s
hoped buyers will become familiar with the
trademark and look for it when making a
purchasing decision.
He said the cost to manufacturers was
minimal and RVM Australia had the backing
of the majority of RV builders.
With the high Australian dollar now edging
down, Mr Duncan said it would be welcomed
by Australian manufacturers with an eye to
exports.
“Even with the dollar at record highs
our manufacturers have performed well.
They’re building more than 20,000 new
units per annum, which is a record. That’s
a higher per-capita figure than the US,” Mr
Duncan said.

Issue 03 June/July 2013

9