The Value of FIAS: Participant Case Study - John Pocklington & Son
Kate Pocklington, of family-run agricultural haulage business John Pocklington & Son, speaks to the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) about the value of the Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS).
FIAS is a UKAS-accredited certification scheme managed by AIC Services, providing a robust framework to ensure the security, safety, and traceability of fertilisers across the UK supply chain, helping businesses meet legal obligations and industry standards
Participation in FIAS supports compliance with regulations such as the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors, and offers practical tools for risk assessment, audit preparation, and continuous improvement. For businesses like John Pocklington & Son, FIAS certification has enhanced operational efficiency, improved traceability, and strengthened customer confidence.
Visit the FIAS webpage to find out more.
Key outcomes of FIAS participation
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Strengthening operational safety and traceability
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Valuable external review of internal procedures
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Driving continual improvement and credibility
How long has your business been a FIAS Participant?
"We joined in 2022 shortly before my father Tim passed away. I took over the business, originally founded by my grandfather in 1943. Expanding into fertiliser haulage made certification essential for compliance, credibility, and customer assurance"
Why is your business a FIAS Participant?
"Customer demand for fertiliser deliveries led us to pursue FIAS certification. Though initially daunting, the standards were clear and the support made it smooth. FIAS has improved traceability, safety, and security, especially during complex logistics. We’ve modernised systems, trained drivers, and enhanced tracking. It also supports compliance with poison and explosives controls."
How does being a FIAS Participant add value to your business?
"Certification has strengthened our operations. Load sheets include full trailer, driver, and customer details, and PODs are scanned into invoices.
Live tracking improves route monitoring and dispute resolution. Secure parking and CCTV protect overnight loads. The portal, audit support, and updates keep us compliant and aligned with the scheme. These tools boost customer trust, and attract business. FIAS has also helped us assess subcontractors more effectively."
How does your business find the audit process?
"We genuinely value the process. We prepare by scheduling internal audits throughout the year, tracking our training and compliance on a digital system.
Led by Emma Dowse, our first audit was a success, with our processes even used as reference. Audits have refined our risk assessments, identify areas for improvement, and provide external confirmation that our systems meet daily requirements, giving us confidence to introduce further measures including spot checks on fertiliser in the yard and at the gate."
What are the opportunities and challenges for the future of UK fertiliser assurance?
"Rising compliance costs and regulatory changes are significant hurdles, especially for smaller businesses. However, there are exciting opportunities to expand services, improve logistics, and continue building trust through certification.
FIAS plays a vital role in self-regulating for the fertiliser industry and ensuring traceability, security and product safety throughout the supply chain. We’d welcome practical additions, such as short training videos on risk assessment and internal auditing, and physical ID cards for drivers, would be useful during roadside checks and add another layer of professionalism."
Become a Trade Assurance Scheme Case Study
AIC Services is looking for more Participants of its trade assurance schemes to contribute to a series of case studies, promoting the value of assurance in feed, food and fertiliser safety.
If your business is a Participant of one of the following schemes and you would like to find out more about being featured as a case study, please email AIC Communications Manager, Wendy Ford (wendy.ford@agindustries.org.uk) to register your interest:
Delivering added value services to the agri-supply sector.
Authors
Roberta Reeve
Roberta Reeve is Technical Manager for AIC Services. She is based at AIC Head Office, Peterborough and is responsible for the management and coordination of the AIC assurance schemes.
Wendy Ford
Wendy Ford is Communications Manager at AIC, creating and overseeing the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media.