In the UK there are two Accredited Trade Associations (ATAs) when talking about Private Parking Companies (PPCs). These are the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC). Both organisations are supposed to ensure that their members follow code of conduct. This is supposed to improve the overall experience for motorists and prevent unfair practices.
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What Is An Accredited Trade Association?
An ATA is essentially an industry trade group. When a PPC is a member of an ATA, it grants them access to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) database. Having access to the DVLA database allows them to obtain keeper details. Without this access, PPCs can’t identify who the keeper of the vehicle is, and thus unable to send notices out when tickets aren’t paid.
Is The BPA A Legitimate Company?
The BPA is a legitimate company that has been operating since 1968 and currently has over 650 members. The BPA is a not-for-profit organisation that is fully funded by its members. Their members include local governments, parking system operators and commercial providers. They have an Approved Operator Scheme (AOS), which regulates the activities of PPCs, ensuring that they follow the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. The BPA also funds the Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) service which provides an independent appeals process for motorists who have received a parking ticket from one of their members.
Is The IPC A Legitimate Company?
The IPC is a legitimate company that represents parking operators in the public and private sectors. The IPC’s main objective is to promote and enhance standards of parking management and enforcement for its members. The organisation also provides a range of services such as training, advice, and support. Similar to the BPA’s AOS the IPC also has an AOS. The IPC also funds the Independent Appeals Service (IAS), which also provides an independent appeals process for motorists who have received a parking ticket from one of their members.
Accredited Trade Association Members
To view the current list of the BPA members, go to their Approved Operators page.
To view the current list of the IPC members, go to their Approved Operator Scheme Members page.
Accredited Trade Association Code Of Practice
To view the current Code of Practice for the BPA, go to their Approved Operator Code of Practice page.
To view the current Code of Practice for the IPC, go to their Publications page.
Is The BPA And The IPC Biased?
An ATA should be a self-regulatory body that operates within a regulatory framework set by the government. Their Codes of Practice should set high standards for their members to follow to allow for fair treatment of motorist.
With the requirement to pay a fee to become part of an ATA, it could be argued that they could become biased in favour of their members. With their respective appeals services also being funded by their member’s, it now looks like one big conflict of interest.
There is no evidence that either the BPA or IPC have outright showed bias towards their member’s, but it is widely know that is is harder to win a case submitted to the IAS than it is with POPLA.
TLDR: Accredited Trade Association
- There are two Accredited Trade Associations (ATAs), these are the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC);
- The BPA and IPC are both legitimate companies;
- The Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) service is for BPA members;
- The Independent Appeals Service (IAS) is for IPC members.
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