Recyclers involved in VRA certification have to pay a fee upon initial application, and then subsequently for each year they wish to remain in the scheme.
This fee is collected by the certification bodies, & is made up of 2 parts:
1. An administration fee for the Certification Body (either RMISC or IF-NRM), &
2. A royalty fee that is passed on to VRAC Ltd. by the Certification Body.
The administration fee is set by and covers the Certification Body’s certification and audit activities, while the royalty is passed to VRA Certification to support the ongoing management, maintenance and development of the scheme.
Since the scheme was first launched in 2020, the royalty payable to VRAC has not increased. During that time, VRAC Ltd has voluntarily reduced the royalty payment it receives in order to help sustain the scheme.
However, continuing cost pressures mean that is no longer sustainable.
VRA Certification is a not-for-profit company, & the royalty payments it receives are the only current income for VRA Certification Ltd.
As a result, from 1st January 2027, VRA Certification Ltd will be increasing the royalty payment received, meaning that the overall fee will rise. Moving forward, it will be reviewed annually.
At the same time, taking on board feedback from recyclers, a new fee structure will be introduced. Instead of a single flat fee for all recyclers, there will now be 4 different fee levels (tiers). The tier will depend on the number of people involved in the business*, as follows:
The 4 tiers are as follows:
| ATF tier | People working in the business* | Annual fee IF-NRM | Annual fee RMISC |
| Small | 1-4 | TBC | TBC |
| Medium | 5-15 | TBC | TBC |
| Large | 16-49 | TBC | TBC |
| Very large | 50+ | TBC | TBC |
This will mean that the smallest recyclers will see the lowest costs.
The fee level will be confirmed with each ATF by the Certification Bodies following application to the scheme & prior to the initial audit.
* Persons working in the business refers to all owners, directors & employees etc. involved with the business &/or based at the permitted certified site & other associated UK vehicle recycling sites.