In a move that confirms the growing importance of BFPA membership and the influence the BFPA has on the legislative process, members have been invited to comment on a proposed new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. The consultation process seeks the views of businesses, manufacturers, retailers, producers and enforcement agencies on a set of draft regulations which will see the new directive transposed into law.
BFPA members are asked to advise the Technical Secretary, Yvonne Pearman (yvonne@bfpa.co.uk) of any observations once they have seen document FP008192 on the organisation's web site. Alternatively, they can log onto the BERR web site www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page41465.html where full details can also be found. Comments should be registered by no later than 19th November in order that they can be included in discussions by Technical Committee 9 'Systems' experts at their meeting scheduled for 22nd November 2007.
BFPA Director Ian Morris has stressed the importance of members submitting their observations so that a UK 'industry' view is available to BERR thereby enabling it to be properly represented at the EU. Ian Morris also emphasised that this is a valuable opportunity for the UK industry to be heard. Directive 2006/42/EC supercedes Commission Directive 98/37/EC and aims to provide greater clarity by offering, for example, a new definition of the core concept of 'machinery'. It also introduces an optional quality assurance conformity assessment module for relevant manufacturers amongst other important issues, though in general the new Directive follows the same principles as that which it replaces.
