Taking an organised approach to accreditation will be very helpful.
For the on-site audit, you will need to provide documented evidence to demonstrate that your dealership complies with the Retail Dealership Accreditation Program (RDAP) criteria. Caravan Industry Association of Australia offers self-help templates for many of the required processes. The Retail Dealership Accreditation Workbook will assist you in gathering the required evidence and understanding why implementing the elements of accreditation into your dealership makes good business sense.
We recommend establishing a file to hold all the required documentation. This file will serve as the framework for your program application and may be requested by the assessor visiting your dealership.
The accreditation process also presents an opportunity to lift your business’ performance. Your staff may have good suggestions on how best to implement the program’s requirements, so give them a chance to have a say and gain ownership of the process.
Conduct a gap analysis to determine where you comply with the requirements and where further effort is needed to reach compliance standards. Involve your staff in assessing current standards against the requirements.
Depending on the size of your dealership, consider establishing a project team with the task of meeting regularly to review progress and keep everyone informed on what is happening. Useful tools and links are included to help you prepare to apply. Make sure to utilise the provided resources to streamline your application process.
If you have any specific questions or need assistance completing the application, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia audits business practices and policies from dealership operators. If all criteria are met and accreditation is approved, Certificates of Accreditation are presented on behalf of Caravan Industry Association of Australia. The decision to accept an application for RDAP accreditation is at the sole discretion of Caravan Industry Association of Australia, without the need to give reasons. Accreditation under RDAP will only be considered following an on-site audit against the RDAP criteria. Further, businesses accredited under RDAP will be subject to a self-declaration of ongoing compliance once every twelve (12) months as a condition of remaining accredited within the program.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia provides accredited dealerships with:
Promotion of accredited dealership operators will be supported by Caravan Industry Association of Australia from surplus funds derived from this accreditation program. While we provide this support, we encourage you to actively share the meaning of the accreditation logo and its benefits with your customers. It is essential to meet customer expectations regarding accreditation, maintain your high standards and continually seek to improve your management practices and customer service.
Approval of the application for accreditation will give the dealership operator the right to display the RDAP promotional sign, Certificate of Accreditation, the accreditation logo, window decal and the Code of Conduct certificate. They must be prominently displayed and are for use only in accordance with these guidelines and only when accreditation is current. The logo may be displayed on any brochures, literature, or signage.
The accreditation logo, however displayed, remains the property of the issuing authority, Caravan Industry Association of Australia, which retains the right to recover use of the logo directly from the individual business. If a dealership operator has accreditation withdrawn or chooses not to renew, they are responsible for returning the certificate, signs and logos to Caravan Industry Association of Australia immediately.
The program is managed by Caravan Industry Association of Australia and overseen by the association's board. The board is made up of representatives from across the caravan and camping industry, who are successful leaders and well-regarded within the sector.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia will:
The annual renewal of your accredited status involves signing a declaration that all documents and compliance are current, and the payment of the annual fee is made. An on-site audit by an independent assessor will be conducted from time to time to verify statements made in your declaration. This inspection is not intended to be a disciplinary experience, rather an opportunity for improvement, providing you with the chance to discuss your progress, ideas and feedback on the program.
You can lose accreditation if:
If Caravan Industry Association of Australia becomes aware of any of the above situations and advises the operator of the same, that operator has a maximum of three months to rectify the situation before Caravan Industry Association of Australia acts to remove accreditation.
A procedure for appeals allows operators a right of appeal against decisions relating to the non-approval or removal of accreditation. Appeals are made by the operator to the General Manager of Industry Development at Caravan Industry Association of Australia. The basis for appeals is limited to a refusal to grant accreditation or a removal of accreditation. Criticism of the accreditation program content is not a valid basis for appeal.
Need assistance? Contact the RDAP Team | [email protected]
