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info@bmf.org.uk www.bmf.org.uk
Policy Priorities: What you told us
Just prior to Christmas, we asked our members to complete a short survey as part of the “Government Influence” theme of the BMF Corporate Strategy. We sought to identify the policy, regulatory, taxation or public spending priorities you regard as most important to your business. The survey was done in 2 rounds - before & after Christmas - with 100+ responses received. The top 5 answers were: ¡ high raw material, energy, labour & transport costs = 83% (pre-Xmas) and 83% (post-Xmas). ¡ retaining existing and recruiting staff = 81% and 68%. ¡ attracting new faces and better careers advice = 77% and 68%. ¡ boosting training & skills especially with more apprentices = 67% and 49%. ¡ energy efficiency: train & upskill
installers to boost numbers = 66% and 56%.
This is not surprising as we are an economic trade association and do not often stray into social policy. Nonetheless, our members ranked the above as high priorities, attracting a score of (at least) two-thirds. The findings are being discussed in the current round of regional meetings and specialist forums around the country - and will inform our lobbying activities in the year ahead.
Mandatory Water Efficiency The BMF responded to a UK Government consultation on new regulations for a mandatory water efficiency label to inform residential & business consumers and encourage them to buy water-efficient products. This will
be a new UK-wide obligation. The proposals are based on the ISO 31600:2022 Water Efficiency Labelling Standard - and may look like the familiar energy efficiency label that uses coloured arrows. The Department for
Environment, Food & Rural Affairs asked for industry views on (for example) products covered by the label; the water flow rate or consumption per cycle; design & display of the label; and standards to support the label.
The new obligations are likely to be put on: ¡ manufacturers, importers or suppliers who first place their goods on the market to assess the water efficiency rating and label them accordingly. ¡ wholesalers, distributors & merchants to display the mandatory labels provided by
BMF backs National Retrofit Hub
The BMF is one of the founder supporters backing the National Retrofit Hub (NRH), a new industry-wide initiative to stimulate action to upgrade UK housing stock and promote best practice amongst builders repairing and upgrading older homes. As well as helping to fund core running costs, the BMF will play an active role in NRH working groups, collaborating with other retrofit stakeholders to identify overlaps and gaps in activity, as
well as facilitating access to and dissemination of knowledge to enable the application of best practice.
John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “Soaring energy bills have focused attention on insulating the nation’s existing homes, which in terms of energy efficiency are amongst the worst in Europe. The BMF has consistently advocated a “fabric- first, services second” approach to upgrade them and our supply
chain is already providing the materials, products and solutions required to do so. Now with over 40 construction industry organisations coming together to support the NRH there is real impetus to drive forward the proposals defined in the Construction Leadership Council’s National Retrofit Strategy for a 20-year programme of work to upgrade 29 million UK homes making them warmer, greener, and cheaper to run.”
Flying ace to speak at BMF Conference Phill O’Dell is the latest speaker
announced for the BMF All Industry Conference in June. Until recently Director of Flight Operations for Rolls-Royce plc, he previously completed 18 years in the RAF, culminating as Officer Commanding the Research and Development Flight of the Fast Jet Test Squadron.
BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “Phill is one of the country’s foremost experts advancing the technology of aircraft engine development. As we all seek ways to reduce our carbon footprint, it will be fascinating to hear how the air industry is advancing engine technology.”
April 2023
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
manufacturers, importers or suppliers when displaying and selling products in store and via distance selling like internet sales and catalogue mail order. DEFRA is not planning to include minimum product standards in the regs - and therefore no need to remove existing products from sale. On timing, the new regulations are likely to be passed this year, with a 15-18 months’ implementation period, meaning an estimated start in early 2025.
The BMF welcome the following new members:
BMF DIARY DATES
Please check the BMF website at
www.bmf.org.uk for all the latest news and events updates in this ever-changing environment.
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