News in brief
What you should know about what's happening across the fleet transport sector
FORS hosted a webinar with its sustainability and decarbonisation partner, DEKRA. Whether you're starting from scratch or feeling overwhelmed by new expectations, the session provided straightforward, practical advice to help you move forward with confidence.
FORS Version 7 introduces more structured sustainability requirements, including:
Stronger expectations around environmental responsibility
New requirements for emissions strategies and staff travel behaviour
Evidence-based planning and reporting
More detailed data collection, including AdBlue use, fuel quality and idling
The big message? V7 isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about proving impact and taking real action.
Start with the 3Rs: record, reduce, report
To help operators get started, there’s the 3R approach:
Record: Gather accurate data on fuel usage, mileage, depot energy use and staff travel.
Reduce: Use this data to build realistic, achievable carbon reduction plans.
Report: Present your data in a structured, audit-ready way using tools like the FORS calculator.
This approach not only helps with compliance but can also cut costs and improve operational performance.
Building a strong decarbonisation strategy starts with high-quality, consistent data. Operators should be collecting:
Fuel usage in litres or kWh
Vehicle mileage and utilisation
AdBlue and EV usage
Depot energy consumption
Staff travel patterns
One of the most important messages from the webinar: you can’t do this alone. Success depends on the whole team working together:
Fleet managers track operational data
Drivers help log daily vehicle usage
Finance teams handle emissions-related costs
HR supports staff travel data collection
Compliance ensures everything aligns with FORS
Directors review and sign off all documentation
DEKRA recommends appointing a sustainability champion – someone who owns the process, joins the dots, and keeps things moving.
DEKRA’s Sustainability Readiness Package includes:
A full CO2 footprint calculation
A tailored decarbonisation module
Expert support and guided online tools
A step-by-step roadmap to prepare for audit
In one case study, operator Essex Bulk Services Ltd followed this process and achieved FORS Gold certification, saved £180,000, and identified 17 quick wins. Watch their case-study below.
Common mistakes that trip up operators include:
Tracking fuel spend instead of volume
Storing documents in multiple folders or formats
Only collecting data once a year
Failing to assign clear roles across teams
Getting into the habit of regular data collection and assigning responsibilities makes the audit process far smoother. If your data isn’t perfect, the most important thing is to start. Begin building the habits, involve the right people, and take it step by step.
DEKRA’s FORS V7 assessment service is available from £425 and includes:
A sustainability readiness score
A full review of your current documentation
A personalised roadmap to help you get audit-ready
Learn more and book your assessment: dekra-uk.co.uk/en/dekra-fors
Click here to view FORS Offers
