IMDAS was commissioned by PPA, and was designed by clients in conjunction with the Mail Consolidators Association (MCA).
What is IMDAS?
The International Mail Distribution Accreditation Scheme (IMDAS) is a quality standard, specifically developed to test the procedures and processes of international mail distribution. The scheme’s objective is to generate customer trust and confidence in the field of international mail distribution. For accredited companies (international mail consolidators or companies offering consolidation services), it provides a competitive advantage over non-accredited international mail consolidators. For clients, it can provide added value and greater confidence and surety in the selection process.
Stakeholders and audience
The key stakeholders within IMDAS are:
- clients (who commission international mail consolidation)
- international mail consolidators and companies offering consolidation services (accredited companies)
- PPA (representing publisher clients)
- MCA (representing international mail consolidators and D&S Consultants (the scheme manager)
The key audience for the scheme is made up of international mail consolidators and UK companies offering consolidation services.
Scheme structure
IMDAS is process-based, with audits, site visits, checks and measurement. To become accredited, companies have to apply for and pass an audit on how they handle mail delivered or collected by the consolidator or mail produced by the consolidator, ready for posting. The accreditation is renewed annually on successful completion of a compliance questionnaire. Companies also have their performance measured by customer satisfaction surveys, and are asked to supply details of some of their clients, who will then be contacted with a request to complete a survey.
Advisory panel
IMDAS is overseen by an Advisory Panel comprising the following:
- Mail consolidators
- PPA members
- PPA secretariat
- Scheme manager
- Industry independent
Why apply?
The international mail sector is a growing sector, fuelled by opportunities in the expanded EU, particularly within Central and Eastern Europe and the emerging economies. IMDAS has been developed by publishing clients who use international services - it addresses their key concerns, ensuring they have confidence and trust in using the mail consolidator. Therefore it can give accredited companies a competitive advantage over non-accredited companies. IMDAS is a powerful discriminator for clients when choosing international mail consolidators.
Scheme members
IMDAS has twelve founder members:
Official IMDAS launch
The official launch of the scheme took place on 27 January 2009 and featured a range of presentations from IMDAS scheme members, clients and the scheme manager. Below is a complete list of speakers and their presentations:
- Alastair Tempest, Director General, FEDMA - The economic value of international mail services
- Peter Regis, Production & Distribution Director, Reed Business Information - Why IMDAS? A clients' experience
- Michael Ripley, MD, Total Mail - Why IMDAS? A consolidator's perspective
- David Robottom, Director, D&S Consultants - IMDAS update
- Nick Street, Chairman, MCA - Global Village: An overview of international markets and how they can be accessed
- Ian Kavanagh, Treasurer, MCA - Quality of service developments
Detailed notes of all the talks given at the seminar are available here.
How to apply
For more information or to apply for accreditation please email nicola.rowe@ppa.co.uk.