Adoption of new membership qualifications will be completed when the ICEFAT Steering Committee meets during the AAM Convention in Portland Oregon.

Work on drawing up criteria has been going on for six months, during which time all member companies have been inventoried and a profile created describing a typical company. This profile forms the basis for the final criteria.
One of those taking part in the work has been Johan Öfverbeck, whose day job is as chief of the Fine Arts Division of the Swedish member company MTAB.

- The criteria needs to be tough, and needs to point out the transporters' skills and experience, he says.

There is already a requirement for member companies to have been working with art transport for at least three years, and to be able to present references. This means that an application for membership must be backed up by at least three transporters who are already members, who have worked in collaboration with the applicant and can testify to the applicant's competence. The application must also be supported by three museums, able to verify that they have collaborated with and approved the transporter.

Member companies must also be aware of the economic and cultural value of artworks, and keep themselves up to date on relevant customs and security regulations.

We want to enhance the level of service options available for our customers. ICEFAT welcomes qualified new candidates for membership, particularly in countries where we do not yet have a presence.

- For example; we are busy accumulating information on art moving companies located in the former Eastern bloc countries, Latin America and Africa. We are also reviewing companies that are not yet ready for membership in ICEFAT. We are willing to help them improve their level of services to meet museum standards, as long as they are serious companies, says Johan Ofverbeck