Frequently Asked Questions

ARIES (Accident Repair Industry Environmental Standard) is an industry-wide framework designed to help the accident repair sector implement structured, measurable sustainability practices while maintaining operational efficiency.

The new environmental standard is a set of guidelines designed to help businesses in the UK accident repair sector reduce their environmental impact. It is designed to align with leading carbon standards such as ISO 14068-1: Carbon Neutrality, PAS 2060, Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

ARIES is being developed by an industry working group, including accident repairers, insurers, and supply chain stakeholders, to create a standard that reflects real-world challenges and opportunities within the repair sector.

ARIES provides a structured approach to sustainability, covering:

• Carbon emissions measurement and reduction
• Sustainable material usage (e.g., recycled parts, low-VOC paint)
• Sustainable procurement and supply chain practices
• Energy efficiency improvements in repair processes
• Waste management and responsible disposal
• Water usage and pollution control

Because each repairer will be starting from a different point, the standard has five levels, or stages, that create a bridge toward international standards. This allows all repairers to engage with ARIES and work through the levels from just starting to those who have been managing and measuring carbon emission for some time.

ARIES is an alternative framework, developed in response to the pending demise of PAS2060 Q4 2025, that focuses on meaningful emissions reduction rather than carbon neutrality claims. It aligns with ISO 14068-1 and Science-Based Targets (SBT) principles but is tailored specifically for the accident repair sector.

Apart from benefiting from the efficiencies and cost saving gained, the ARIES transition standard provides an equivalent verification of the PAS 2060 requirements at level four. Measurement and reporting of Scope 3, supply chain, carbon emissions are not required at this level, but a good understanding of them are.

Complete the registration form on this website and download the standard and templates.

Read the standard and guidance and complete and upload your Declaration of Commitment. Businesses must assess their operations against ARIES criteria, implement reduction strategies, and undergo third-party verification. Support will be available to help companies identify investment opportunities to reduce emissions, as well as assisting with understanding, calculations, and ARIES portal input.

This depends on your current situation and level of ambition. The motor insurance industry acknowledge the investment required and will be funding per repair. While ARIES has provided materials for repairers to measure and manage carbon emissions themselves, free of charge, it is expected many will initially invest at least £2000 per year in help and specialist assistance where required. And while reduction in carbon emission can be achieved by behavioural change and switching electricity supplier alone, many will want to upgrade ovens, lighting, and equipment. ARIES expects the funding from insurers to be invested in carbon reduction initiatives and will verify this plus any additional investment by the repairer.

Registration takes a few minutes. Completing and uploading the Declaration of Commitment will take about an hour.

The rest will take longer, starting with some hours of reading background, standard, and guidance. ARIES has tried to reduce this time by providing templates, self-assessment, and contacts. Some will be able to organise and allocate resources to achieve level four within one year, others may take longer.

The main point is to see measurable improvement each year – and each quarter if you ambition is higher.

ARIES is assessed through an independent third-party verification process to ensure credibility and consistency in meeting the standard's requirements. Businesses will be supported in identifying and implementing measurable improvements. Compliance is monitored via the online register, with an annual audit leading to certification.

Any repairer, insurer, or supply chain partner looking to implement structured, verifiable sustainability improvements within the accident repair industry.

Adopting the environmental standard can help your business reduce its carbon footprint, cut costs on waste disposal and energy usage, and improve your reputation as an eco-conscious company. It can also open up new opportunities with insurers and customers who prioritise sustainability.

Not necessarily. Many improvements can be made through operational efficiencies and better material choices. ARIES also identifies investment pathways that help businesses implement cost-effective sustainability solutions.

While direct government incentives are not currently in place, many insurers and claims management companies have committed to supporting repairers financially through a per-repair sustainability fee. Additionally, repairers implementing ARIES will benefit from cost savings through energy efficiency and may gain preferred status with insurers and fleet operators.

Insurers and claims management companies have committed to providing a support fee for each repair undertaken, helping repairers cover the costs of sustainable compliance and transition towards lower emissions operations. The insurance market is backing the environmental standard by agreeing to pay £15 per job for repairers registered on the portal.

ARIES provides a fair and practical sustainability standard that levels the playing field between independent repairers and larger groups. It ensures that all businesses have a structured path to emissions reduction without unnecessary financial burdens.

Yes. Many insurers and work providers actively support ARIES, recognising the importance of sustainability in the accident repair process. The framework is designed to become a recognised benchmark for sustainability within the industry.

Yes. Measuring emissions is a fundamental step in ARIES, but the emphasis is on practical reductions rather than compliance-driven reporting. The framework ensures repairers have a clear path to lower emissions with investment mechanisms supporting ongoing improvements.

Rather than relying on carbon offsetting, ARIES focuses on practical reductions—such as energy-efficient repairs, sustainable material choices, and operational optimisations—to lower emissions at source.

Our primary focus is carbon reduction. Our aim is to reduce carbon emission to its absolute minimum before considering carbon offsetting at the higher levels capability and maturity. It is our view that the equivalent cost of carbon offsetting should be used for carbon reduction initiatives first. Although not part of the initial levels of the ARIES transition standard, carbon offsetting can be initiated at any time by individual repairers if they wish.

Insurers, fleets, and other stakeholders increasingly prioritise sustainability in their decision-making. Repairers adopting ARIES will be well-positioned for future industry requirements. The standard will be supported by the insurance industry, and we encourage widespread adoption within the accident repair sector, including repair shops, vehicle manufacturers, and suppliers of equipment, parts, and materials.

ARIES includes sustainability considerations for EV repair, such as battery handling, energy-efficient processes, and responsible disposal of high-voltage components.

Sustainable procurement is a key focus. ARIES encourages repairers to work with suppliers who are committed to reducing their environmental impact.

We encourage suppliers to adopt more sustainable practices in their products and manufacturing processes. By working together, we aim to create a fully integrated supply chain that supports the environmental goals of the accident repair sector.

The goal of the standard is to encourage more sustainable practices that could help reduce costs over time, such as more efficient use of materials and energy. While there may be initial investment, the long-term benefits can lead to cost savings.

Yes. ARIES will be periodically reviewed to ensure alignment with regulatory changes and industry advancements, ensuring repairers remain ahead of evolving sustainability requirements.

Feedback will be collected through industry working groups and repairer engagement forums to ensure that ARIES remains relevant and practical for businesses of all sizes.

We estimate 80% of the vehicle body repair industry will take up ARIES by the end of 2025, and we will be sharing results on our website.

While capability level and headline carbon emission results are shared with all registered parties in an industry overall summary and individual repairer listing, ARIES requires repairers to provide permission to share details of direct and indirect carbon emission, and intensity ratios with insurers. Only insurers will see this data, and only if the repairer has provided permission. Other interested parties, such as other repairers, industry suppliers, and press will not see this data.

As of March 2025, we are currently planning webinars, videos, and case studies to help explain the finer details of the standard.