[Las Vegas] The Restoration Industry Association, Inc. (RIA) and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announced a strategic partnership to enable each organization to focus on its core mission and which will help elevate knowledge and professionalism within the industry.
Pursuant to their partnership, RIA said it shall continue to develop its educational programs, but the actual administration of its respected designations shall be done by IICRC. The Institute will be able to offer and market RIA programs not only to RIA members, but to thousands of IICRC certified firms and tens of thousands of IICRC registrants.
Recognizing the benefit of RIA’s trade shows and conferences, the Institute said it looks forward to continued sponsorship opportunities which will enhance the profile and exposure of IICRC certifications and standards.
In addition, the Institute shall build up the years of work, and thousands of RIA volunteer hours, by forming a consensus body for the BSR/IICRC S700: Standard for Professional Smoke and Fire Restoration. Thanks to this strategic partnership, an ANSI-approved fire standard will be brought to the marketplace.
Finally, leadership from both RIA and IICRC shall form an Industry Advocacy Task Force to identify issues, and the means of addressing such issues, for the mutual benefit of RIA’s and IICRC’s constituency.
The companies said that this strategic partnership is the product of countless volunteer hours by individuals dedicated to the industry. The resultant agreement recognizes more can be done to move the industry forward when RIA and IICRC support each other in achieving their core missions.