Home Office funds Responsible Car Wash Scheme pilot to prove case for licensing

NTU research has identified hand car washes as an industry where workers are at risk of exploitation

The pilot will be independently evaluated by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and is supported by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), the Police, the Health and Safety Executive, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Environment Agency, and the charity Unseen. The pilot is funded jointly by the Home Office and a consortium of RCWS supporters including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, BP and the Car Wash Association.

The process has been devised with advice from the Work, Informalisation and Place Research Centre at NTU, whose studies suggest the number of hand car washes in the UK is between 6,000 and 7,000. While some operate lawfully, this has consistently been identified as an industry where workers are at risk of exploitation ranging from poor working conditions to modern day slavery. Legitimate businesses are undercut by those breaking the law, creating an unfair competitive landscape. Many operate from unsuitable premises that discharge dangerous effluent into water courses and where staff are given ineffective protective equipment when handling dangerous and corrosive cleaning materials.

Ian Clark, professor of work and employment at Nottingham Business School, part of NTU, said: “Our research into hand car washes has shown widespread non-compliance which has far reaching implications for workers and the environment. The government recognises that an accreditation scheme designed to promote compliance and drive up standards for hand car washes can play a role in preventing exploitation of workers and water pollution in this sector. Our role is to explore the efficacy of the RCWS trial and test this as a workable system to implement mandatory licensing on a national level.”

Teresa Sayers, managing director, RCWS, said: “With car washes now reopening after lockdown, risks are resurfacing with regards to violation of labour, employment, health and safety and environmental regulations. RCWS aims to ensure compliance, improve standards, and give consumers confidence that they are choosing a fair car wash, by accrediting businesses that adhere to the RCWS Code of Practice. With Home Office backing and an independent evaluation, this has the impetus it needs to work on a nationwide level.”

Darryl Dixon, who leads on the HCW pilot for the GLAA said: “The GLAA has supported the principle of this project and its funding. Concerns over irregularity in this industry have increased public interest and awareness of some issues in the hand car wash sector. While we recognise that some businesses aim to operate irregularly, requiring enforcement, there are those that may need assistance and education to raise their awareness of what they need to do to be compliant. Building a compliant industry, prevention, education and enforcement go hand in hand to provide a level playing field for legitimate businesses and reduce the risk of exploitation of workers."

The pilot builds on previous RCWS initiatives such as a voluntary accreditation scheme working with supermarkets and national network operators and is also supported by Nottingham Civic Exchange.