ACRISS Timeline
The Evolution of ACRISS
Since its formation, ACRISS has continued to evolve alongside the mobility, travel, and technology industries, developing standards, best practices, and innovative solutions that support transparency, consistency, and booking confidence across all forms of electronic distribution systems.
1989 – 1999 | Foundation & Industry Standards
1989
ACRISS is formed by leading car rental companies including Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Hertz to develop and maintain industry system standards for car rental distribution.
1992
ACRISS is formally reconstituted as a European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG).
1992
Introduction of the first ACRISS Code of Conduct.
(Further revisions introduced in later years.)
1994
Cooperation with GEBTA (Guild of European Business Travel Agents) begins.
1995
Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre, and Worldspan join ACRISS as Associate Members.
1996
Cooperation with IATA begins, including support for TIDS initiatives.
American Express Travel Services joins ACRISS as an Associate.
1998
National Car Rental joins ACRISS as an Associate.
2000 – 2009 | Expansion & Digital Development
2000
ANC Rental Corporation (National & Alamo) joins as a full Member.
2001
Launch of the first ACRISS website.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel joins as an Associate.
2002
Reciprocal membership agreement established with HEDNA.
2003
New membership scheme introduced.
Vehicle Selling Guide developed.
E-ticket standard for car rental agreed.
2004
Enterprise Car Rental joins as an Associate Member.
Sabre Travel Network rejoins as an Allied Associate.
2005
ACRISS obtains European Trademark protection and identifies the need for expansion of the Car Code Matrix.
2006
Expansion of airport location definitions.
2007
Expanded ACRISS Car Classification Matrix replaces the traditional SIPP structure.
2008
Quality Assurance Locations Project begins.
Initial environmental and “Green Car” initiatives launched.
2009
MicronNexus joins as an Associate.
Vehicle Guide produced in multiple languages.
New ACRISS website launched.
2010 – 2015 | Product Development & Classification Expansion
2010
Rail Station project introduced.
2011
Cargo Van classification guidelines launched.
2012
Expansion of Special Equipment coding standards.
2013
Review and introduction of Ancillary Charges standards.
2014
Luggage capacity incorporated into vehicle coding standards.
Testing begins on the ACRISS Image Cloud project.
2015
Enterprise Holdings upgraded to Principal Full Member status.
2016 – 2020 | Mobility Expansion & Electrification
2016
Launch of the VDSI Transfers Project introducing standards for the Vehicle with Driver Service Industry.
Blacklane becomes the first VDSI Associate Member.
2017
ACRISS Image Cloud officially launched with Travelport as the first technology partner.
2017
Taxitender, Karhoo, and MyCab join as VDSI Associates.
2017
Reciprocal membership agreements established with BVRLA and Leaseurope.
2018
Rentalcars becomes the first car rental broker Associate Member.
Groundscope joins as a Transfer technology Associate.
2019
Green Motion joins as the first car rental Associate Member.
2019
Launch of the ACRISS Image Cloud Validation Tool supporting compliance with ACRISS vehicle coding standards.
2019
Updated ACRISS Code of Conduct released.
2019
Introduction of enhanced Electric and Hybrid Vehicle definitions and new EV information resources.
2019
New VDSI Selling Guide and updated Vehicle Selling Guides released.
2020
Reciprocal agreement established with GGTI (Global Ground Transportation Institute).
2020
Introduction of EV range data, CO₂ standards, and fuel type columns within ACRISS car code lists.
2020
Launch of COVID-19 information and guidance reference resources.
2020
New Commercial Vans & Trucks Guidelines introduced using cubic metre capacity and vehicle features instead of traditional tonnage classifications.
2020
Enhanced Electric & Hybrid Vehicle coding definitions introduced for ACRISS Matrix codes “E”, “C”, “H”, and “I”.
2020
New VDSI Transfers Health & Safety Standards introduced in response to global health and regulatory requirements.
2021 – Present | Future Mobility & Sustainability
2021
ACRISS transitions to ACRISS UKEIG (UK Economic Interest Group) following Brexit.
2021
Introduction of Online Car Rental Check-In standards to improve digital customer journeys and reduce counter waiting times.
2021
Expedia joins ACRISS as the first OTA Associate Member.
2022
Launch of updated Environmental & CO₂ Emissions Guidelines based on average emissions by vehicle category.
2022
Review and future-proofing of EV coding within the ACRISS Car Classification System.
2022
Expansion of Optional Extras, Special Equipment, and Ancillary Codes supporting EV-related equipment.
2023
Introduction of the Traffic Light CO₂ Efficiency Guide using A+ to F environmental efficiency categories.
2023
Booking.com and DiscoverCars join ACRISS as Associate Members.
2024
Introduction of new location codes supporting Military and Fixed Base Operations (private airport) locations.
2024
Expansion of Commercial Vans & Trucks classifications to include XL and XXL vehicle categories.
2025
Vehicle Features Coding – Phase 1 completed.
2025
Skyscanner and Navan join ACRISS as Associate Members and technology partners.
2025
Location Content Standardisation Project completed.
ACRISS continues to evolve alongside the global mobility industry, developing standards and solutions that support transparency, sustainability, innovation, and booking confidence across all forms of mobility services.