NEWS
Engineering services body calls for joint industry and government transition plan on UKCA Mark
A
ctuate UK, the engineering services sector body, has welcomed the extension to the UKCA Mark transition – now confirmed for all construction
products till 30 June 2025. Actuate UK has urged Government to work with industry and agree a joined-up plan for the transition to UKCA Mark and how the new marking regime can add value to the industry and its relations with global markets. While the delay to the transition from CE to UKCA Mark for all products is a relief for the industry, the process so far has created confusion, anxiety and costs. The body represents the whole supply chain for construction products, from manufacturers, testing and certification facilities, and contractors/users. Previously, the alliance highlighted issues with capacity of testing facilities, clarified the situation on spare parts of already certified products and raised concerns over the awareness of the industry of the changes. It also welcomed updates in guidance, sent in June and December 2022, while highlighting the impact of ambiguity to ensure products are safe for the public.
Chris Yates, chief executive of Federation of
Environmental Trade Associations (FETA), one of the Actuate UK members commented: “We need the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) and BEIS to be more coordinated on this. Manufacturers have already spent a lot of money getting UKCA approval. Now that we have more time on the transition, we need a more substantial discussion on how the new UKCA Mark will interact with the CE in the future and the prospects for mutual recognition.” Nick Mellor, managing director of Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA) added: “We welcome the extensions announced by
Government and the easements especially on spare parts. We look forward to contributing to the Government’s Product Safety Review and working with Government on the future regulatory framework. This must support at least the same levels of safety while not adding unnecessary burdens to industry. We must not forget these products are used by the public, and it is in their interest we get this right.”
IPAF backs campaign to retain UK Work at Height laws
T
he International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has given its backing to the Access Industry Forum’s (AIF) campaign to save UK Work at Height
safety regulations, which are set to be repealed as part of a “bonfire of EU laws” by the end of 2023. The AIF, of which IPAF is a member, has given evidence to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee, currently considering the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, urging it to recommend excluding Work at Height Regulations from repeal. IPAF is joining with fellow AIF members in support of the Save the Work at Height Regulations campaign. Peter Douglas, chief executive and managing director of IPAF, says: “The Work at Height Regulations are a key part of ensuring employers realise, understand and discharge statutory responsibilities to keep their employees safe in the workplace. “IPAF and the AIF support the all-party parliamentary
group (APPG) of UK MPs inquiring into workplace falls from height, which gathered evidence that shows there are a significant number of people suffering injuries or being killed by work-related falls – still the most common type of workplace accident in the UK today.
“It seems counter-intuitive to just jettison laws designed to help keep people safe while working at height without proper industry consultation or parliamentary scrutiny, so rather than remove the existing legislation from the statute books altogether, we support the AIF in its call to exclude current Work at Height laws from repeal.”
Swegon qp BSEE July22.qxp_Layout 1 23/6/22 13:43 Page 1
Affordable warmth on the agenda with Lord Callanan visit
and help Thurrock Council towards reaching their net- zero goals. The project, delivered by Kensa Contracting and
L
ord Callanan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), visited residents
from Chadwell St Mary in Thurrock to see a ground- breaking project in action to upgrade the energy performance of a large number of council-owned properties in the borough. Three high-rise tower blocks, comprising of 273
residences are having night storage heaters replaced by ground source heat pumps that are three times more energy efficient. The project, part- funded by the BEIS Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) will reduce fuel bills by over 50% for some Thurrock residents, protecting them from the energy crisis and the risk of falling into fuel poverty this winter. Replacing night storage heaters with ground source heat pumps will not only reduce running costs but also cut carbon emissions by 70%. This will save an estimated 7,080 tonnes of CO2 over the lifecycle of the heat pumps
Thurrock Council, demonstrates the potential for ground source heat pumps to rapidly and affordably decarbonise multiple properties at scale. Energy Minister, Lord Callanan said: “It is fantastic to see first-hand how government funding is not only being used to lower carbon emissions but reduce fuel bills for low- income households, including here in Thurrock. “Projects like this demonstrate how we are committed to making homes greener and cheaper to keep warm, and we’re training thousands more skilled heat pump installers to ensure we continue to deliver cleaner and more energy efficient homes across the country.”
Councillor Deb Arnold and Lord Callanan
GEYSER SKY Reversible heat pump with natural refrigerant
• Ideal for boiler replacement • High comfort thanks to the variable speed technology • Propane (R290), future proof refrigerant • No Ozone layer impact & close to zero global warming potential • Meets the highest seasonal efficiency standard
Visit:
www.swegon.com/uk to find out more Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2023 5
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