Rigorous SERMI testing process underlined by IGA
The Independent Garage Association has underlined the rigorous SERMI testing process before the scheme goes live in the UK on 1 April.
SERMI governs secure access to sensitive vehicle security-related repair and maintenance information.
The IGA and Digidentity has reiterated that both businesses and individual technicians must undergo stringent background checks before they can access information behind the SERMI wall.
This includes formal identity verification, criminal record checks, business validation, and ongoing compliance requirements. Only then will they be issued a secure ‘digital passport’ that authorises them to work on protected vehicle systems such as immobilisers, key coding, and secure ECU functions.
A significant number of UK independent repairers have already successfully completed the full application and verification process and are now ready to operate under the scheme from 1 April.
Security
Stuart James, chief executive of the IGA, said: “Security is the foundation of SERMI. This is not simply about access to information, it’s about demonstrating that independent garages and their technicians meet the highest standards of integrity, identity assurance, and accountability.
“The independent sector is showing it is fully prepared to operate within one of the most secure access frameworks our industry has ever seen, giving manufacturers and motorists complete confidence that sensitive vehicle data is handled responsibly.”
Pivotal shift
Marcel Wendt, founder and CTO of Digidentity, the UK Trust Centre responsible for carrying out SERMI checks, added: “The launch of SERMI in the UK marks a pivotal shift toward a more secure and transparent automotive landscape.
“As the UK Trust Centre, Digidentity is proud to provide the rigorous verification infrastructure that makes this possible. Our role is to ensure that every digital passport issued is backed by the highest standards of identity and business validation.
“By successfully navigating this stringent process, the UK’s independent garages are proving their commitment to professional integrity. We are not just facilitating access to data; we are building a foundation of trust that protects technicians, manufacturers, and, most importantly, the motorists who rely on them.”
