COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE REPORTS


The previous issue of "Lube" detailed the constitution of the various BLF Committees. This issue details the various issues which are currently being addressed by the various committees.


Some members of Council are pictured during a well-earned lunch-break between the Council Meeting on the morning of 2nd December and the Branches Committee meeting in the afternoon.


Don Brett, John Barnes, Chris Kettel, David Seex, Steve Lord, Ian Meadows, Rod Parker, Brian Latty, John Glenister, Tony Brett, David Margaroni, David Foreman.


COUNCIL MEETING The most recent meeting of the Council took place on lst March. In addition to the reports received by the various Committee Chairmen, which are summarised under the respective headings, the following items were addressed:


Joint Seminar with the British Machine Tools Technology Assoc.; 1993 Timetable; Liaison with kindred organisations overseas; Data Protection Act; Members Handbook; Spring Seminar; Lube magazine; Treasurer's report; ELF funding.


ALLIED PRODUCTS COMMITTEE (Chairman John


Dowding) The main work-load of this Committee during recent months had been associated with the compilation of the Automotive "Manufacturers Lubricants Recommendations. This work has now been completed, and the revised version will be issued in AS format with the intention that it should be incorporated into the Members Handbook.


BMDM COMMITTEE (Chairman- Trevor Cooper)


This Committee, the largest of the current ELF committees, also receives and acts upon reports from other sub- committees; currently, the National Vocational Qualification sub-committtee and the Technical and Health Advisory Group (THAG). The ELF is currently involved in investigating the development of lubricant industry-specific NVQ's, as well as assisting in a general mapping exercise for the petroleum industry.


Warranty Infringements are reviewed on a regular basis, and the Federation has already achieved success, particularly when working in conjunction with UEIL, in challenging transgressors.


This Committee is also responsible for maintaining formal links with organisations such as the CBI. BSI. PESC, and the HSE (through THAG).


REFINERS/IMPORTERS COMMITTEE (Chairman - David Foreman)


l. UKPIA Statistics : Although Peat Marwick had indicated an increasing number of companies reporting statistics in the required format. UKPIA has since stated that this was insufficient to give them confidence in the accuracy and


quality for submission to CPL. This is strongly contested by us in that the number of companies now submitting statistical information accounted for some 90-95% of the total volume of lubricants in the UK and uses 205F as originally agreed.


There is considerable doubt as to the benefit arising from the whole reporting system and UKPIA is being asked to clarify this before consideration is given to future action.


2. IP346: This method of determining PCA content is not satisfactory for everyone but is currently the best available from a routine testing point of view. However, both BP and Nynas consider their own methods to be more specific in identifying carcinogenicity potential. Copies of these methods will therefore be forwarded to CONCAWE with an expression of some considerable reservations as to the use of IP346 and suggesting that alternatives should be investigated.


3. Waste Oils: The list of licensed waste oil collectors included in a previous issue of "Lube" did not represent the large number and variety of siuch contractors. A more comprehensive list on a regional basis will be compiled also identifying those lubricants with a particular disposal or recycle value.


4. White Oils: The CONCA WE report concerning the safety of white oils in food applications is currently being studied by the White Oils sub-committee. This subject will then be discussed, in respect of what future reprsentations may be required, at the next meeting of the R & I Committee.


BRANCHES COMMITTEE (Chairman- Stephen Lord) Since the last meeting, the Committee had been notified of an


unusually high number of company resignations from the ELF, almost all of which were due to amalgamations with larger companies. Even so, there is still a steady influx of new members, which maintains the balance of the membership base. The annual event calendar now endeavours to ensure that formal Committee meetings coincide with social events as far as possible, so as to maximise time utilisation.


The Overseas visit this year will be to Blagdens, Bruges. In view of the economic climate, a target cost of £300 maximum has been set; travel will be by cross-channel ferry.


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