< Previousbmta.co.uk NEW CHOICE FOR LEARNERS AFTER GCSEs Nikesh Mistry, Sector Head, Industrial Automation, GAMBICA 10 The UK unemployment rate for Q1 of this year was at 4.8%. That is higher than at the start of the pandemic, but we are seeing slight falls in the number as we slowly begin down the road to recovery. The ongoing message from our members is that businesses throughout the pandemic have developed better ways to tackle the lockdowns, the furlough schemes and the constant changes in restrictions. Not only this, the UK government is continuing to spend money in helping to support jobs and aid our future workforce where applicable. One focus of this has been T Levels. T Levels are new courses that follow GCSEs and are equivalent to three A levels. First launched in September 2020, these two-year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and providers so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares learners for work, further training or study. T Levels offer learners a combination of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days). T Levels are based on the same standards as apprenticeships and will be approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and accredited by Ofqual. The UK government has also announced their recent initiative whereby employers are able to claim £1000 for each T Level Student they support, in a bid to help all those companies affected by the global pandemic. Employers are starting to learn the value that a T Level placement can bring to their workforce and are becoming more encouraged to get involved in initiatives such as this. Not only does it create opportunities, but it is helping to bridge the various skills gaps across the UK workforce to help fill areas of expertise required for technical job roles. GAMBICA is proud to have been part of initial meetings held by City and Guilds who are working in partnership with specialist engineering awarding organisation Excellence Achievement and Learning (EAL). EAL has been awarded delivery partner status for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (The Institute) to develop three new T Level Technical Qualifications (TQs) in Engineering and Manufacturing. The three Technical Qualifications being developed are: • Design and Development • Maintenance, Installation and Repair • Manufacturing, Processing and Control It is expected that T Levels will gradually become one of the main choices for learners after GCSEs. With technologies advancing and skills being required in various departments such as the convergence of the IT and the OT, the prospective for T Levels is promising and will add light to what is believed could create plenty of exciting opportunities for years to come. As we are approaching the delivery of these technical qualifications there is also a chance for employers to get involved. City and Guilds is collaborating with employers on developing the TQs and would also value your input. Opportunities to get involved can be with the design of the TQ - including determining the guided learning hours (GLH) and amplification of content, the development of assessment which will detail how the qualification assessments will be designed and delivered or even the review and validation of the TQs and checking that the sample assessments have the correct level of coverage and are suitably aligned to industry. The global pandemic has been devastating in many different ways, leaving the world in an abundance of uncertainty. But one thing is for certain - how we recover from the damage caused will resonate for years to come. BRINGING METROLOGY INTO POST-16 EDUCATION Joe Neame, Science Specialist for NCFE T Levels 1 are exciting new L3 qualifications that follow on from GCSEs. Equivalent to three A Levels and two years in duration, T Levels have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses to meet the needs of industry and prepare students for work, further training or study. Based on the same standards as apprenticeships, T Levels give students a mixture of classroom learning and relevant, cutting edge industry experience. From September 2021, students will be able to undertake a T Level in Science. In this T Level, students will have the opportunity to take a Metrology Occupational Specialism, giving them the knowledge and technical skills to work within the metrology sector. Students spend a year on core knowledge and concepts applicable to the health and science sector, as well as embarking on their metrology specialism. Students will also complete an industry placement where they get the chance to apply their technical knowledge and skills. They will experience employment within the sector first-hand, allowing them to make an informed choice about their next steps in the Metrology field. The industry placement lasts a minimum of 45 days, much longer than other work placement requirements in equivalent qualifications. It is invaluable for students, exposing them to the vital role metrology plays in the 21st century, but also for employers. A longer work placement of this type allows employers to benefit in greater depth from the opportunity of a fresh pair of eyes on their industry and from the longer-term, project-based, impactful work a T Level student can undertake. Students will experience learning within the T Level that will highlight to them their prior metrology knowledge gained from everyday life and education. They will then build on this foundation in a relevant, technical focused pathway. Through the occupational specialism performance outcomes, students will be able to: plan and perform appropriate scientific measurements for any measure and (complying with regulatory requirements and ensuring accuracy) collect, analyse and interpret data from measurement tasks and resolve identified issues with measurement tools. For the majority of learners, this will be the first time they have been exposed to the specific study of metrology and represents a fantastic opportunity to engage and encourage the metrologists of tomorrow. bmta.co.uk 11 1 T Level is a registered trademark of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. The T Level is a qualification approved and managed by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.bmta.co.uk KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS EXCHANGE IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING LANDSCAPE Vicki Barwick, Head of Commercial – Training at LGC Attracting and retaining an appropriately skilled workforce is fundamental to the UK’s strategic agenda, with chemical and biological measurement underpinning many sectors of the country’s economy. Ensuring results are fit-for-purpose cuts across all measurement disciplines and regulatory frameworks. Equipping scientists with the practical skills required to make accurate measurements for diagnostics, therapeutics, food safety and environmental protection – to name but a few – is essential to maximise the UK’s capabilities across a broad range of industries and sectors. But how can organisations ensure their staff develop the required practical skills and knowledge while minimising the impact on lab delivery? How can training be engaging when face-to-face courses are not possible? And how can the underpinning knowledge of quality assurance be transferred effectively to the new generation of ‘digital natives’? These are just some of the questions that LGC, a global leader in the life sciences sector and established training provider in laboratory quality assurance, has been addressing in recent months. Analytical Quality Training Programme LGC’s established training offering is a programme of courses on key analytical quality topics such as method validation and evaluating measurement uncertainty - important requirements of international standards such as ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 15189. Until March 2020 this was entirely in-person classroom-based training. Like other training providers faced with restrictions imposed by the pandemic, LGC promptly took the slightly daunting decision to switch to live online delivery. Careful but quick consideration was given to the platforms and pedagogical practices that were needed to get to grips with, in order to deliver the core knowledge in an online environment. With expert training from the Learning and Performance Institute (https://www.thelpi.org) LGC was able to adapt their technical content for virtual delivery; however, this wasn’t just a case of running a course developed for the classroom in exactly the same format online. Along with getting to grips with new technologies, greater attention needed to be paid to audience engagement and interaction, while still imparting information and transmitting structured knowledge. Running courses as a series of shorter modules rather than day or week-long courses, and making use of interactive tools such as whiteboards, polls and virtual breakout rooms helped LGC to step up to the challenge. Equipping the trainers with the skills to deliver virtual training was also key to the warp speed pivot to online delivery. And as new functionality and tools continue to be developed, LGC will continue to adapt and evolve courses that realise the true potential of virtual delivery. Now 12 months in, LGC is pleased to report that moving to online delivery has offered both LGC and our customers many benefits, including more flexible scheduling and the ability to deliver courses when travel may not be possible, or geo-politically or economically viable. Feedback on our ever- expanding virtual offering has been very positive and LGC will continue to run online courses alongside face-to-face delivery when it finally returns. Please visit www.lgcgroup.com/training to find out more about our analytical quality training programme. A Virtual Learning Environment A common concern for laboratory managers is the level of practical skills, exposure to quality requirements and critical thinking that new employees will possess. Generating reliable measurement results relies on having staff with a core set of practical skills. A typical training plan for a new recruit might involve reviewing standard operating procedures and observing colleagues, before finally practising key techniques and undergoing a competency evaluation. This approach can be time-consuming and, to be frank, a little dull. Consider instead interactive material that covers the use of essential laboratory equipment such as balances and pipettes, and the associated quality considerations, that can be studied away from the expensive apparatus – this is what a virtual learning environment (VLE) can provide! Praxis – analytical measurement eLearning In collaboration with Learning Science (https:// learningscience.co.uk), the UK’s National Measurement Laboratory (NML-hosted by LGC) (www.lgcgroup.com/ nml) has developed Praxis, an interactive web-based course, providing engaging and cost-effective training in practical skills for analytical scientists. Whether training new staff or providing refresher training, Praxis allows users to develop their practical skills at their own pace and apply their understanding to real-life scenarios before stepping into a laboratory. The course contains modules on the measurement of mass, volume and pH, and solution preparation – essential skills relevant to a wide range of sectors and educational levels. 12 WHAT THE PANDEMIC TAUGHT US ABOUT TRAININGbmta.co.uk 13 Users receive consistent auditable expert training while reducing the teaching burden and minimising disruption to laboratory operations. For further information on Praxis, visit https:// praxislearn.co.uk/. CannLearn – microlearning modules for testing labs While Praxis provides an effective knowledge transfer route, there is also a place for shorter ‘bite-sized’ learning to introduce topics, provide refresher training or allow additional practice. The third strand of LGC’s digital knowledge and skills exchange activities is the development and delivery of app-based microlearning that is available anywhere, anytime, across a range of devices. Our initial pilot – ‘CannLearn’ – has been developed in collaboration with Dr Ehrenstorfer (www.lgcstandards.com) to support cannabis testing laboratories in the United States. This highly interactive content will be available via an intuitive app and cover key topics related to the testing of cannabis plants and products, and laboratory quality assurance. Highly gamified, learning points are reinforced by quizzes and competitions to deliver an engaging learning experience. Restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic have obviously necessitated rapid changes across many aspects of our personal and professional lives. Access to high-quality content delivered via a suitable VLE is essential to supporting the development and sustainability of the analytical sector. However, the demonstrable benefits of digital learning mean that training providers must continue to offer alternatives to face-to-face training even after Covid-19. In Dr Julian Braybrook’s view (Government Chemist & Director of the National Laboratories at LGC), “There is no ‘one size fits all’ model for knowledge and skills exchange. Having content available via a range of complementary delivery options is essential to supporting organisations to build fit for purpose training programmes for staff at all stages of their careers.” Fig 1 and 2: A virtual learning environment such as Praxis allows analysts to practice core practical skills before entering the laboratory. Fig 1 Fig 3: Interactive app-based microlearning allows the dissemination of key information anywhere, anytime. BMTA members receive 15% discount on LCG training booked through the British Metrology and Testing Associationbmta.co.uk 14 If you are reading this newsletter and would like to become a member of the BMTA, please send an email to enquiries@bmta.co.uk, requesting a membership application pack. Enquiries about associate and individual membership should also be addressed to enquiries@bmta.co.uk. Membership of the Association is open to all organisations in the measurement, testing and calibration industry. We encourage senior people in organisations to become individual members, and organisations to become corporate members. BECOME A MEMBER Our membership fees are based on the size of your organisation making it affordable to the smallest company. Corporate membership starts from just £263 + VAT. Please enquire for individual membership subscriptions. DEDICATED TRADE LISTING Build your brand credibility and trust from our dedicated trade listing. KEEP YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE Help your business stay ahead of the game by receiving full access to the regular updates on the latest industry news and information. INFORMATION AND INSIGHT Access to surveys, reports, forecasts, market information, whitepapers and the latest guidelines that may impact upon your business and industry. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Share ideas, ask questions and play a role in determining changes and new processes in the industry. Continue your education and development with seminars, workshops and classes to help you learn and grow in your profession. BECOME AN ACTIVE MEMBER Have the potential to influence legislation that affects the industry and help lobby lawmakers and sway public opinion more positively. DISCOUNTED TRAINING AND EDUCATION Receive up to 20% discount with the UK’s most accurate tender alert service - Tenders Direct, who read and categorise every public sector tender in the UK, ROI and OJEU to ensure their service delivers accurate and relevant opportunities for your business. FREE GOVERNMENT FUNDING ADVICE Helping you access Government funding in the form of tax incentives and reliefs such as R&D Tax Credits, Capital Allowances, Patent Box and Grants. DISCOUNTED DELL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Receive up to 20% discount off laptops, desktops and accessories. Plus, free access to Dell’s highly trained Small Business Technology Advisors to help grow your business. DISCOUNTED HR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW SUPPORT Delivered in partnership with Make UK Legal Services, your membership can give you access to your own team of employment law solicitors, barristers and HR professionals at a fraction of the usual price. BSI DEVELOPMENT NOTICES AND COMMITTEE ACCESS Get the opportunity to represent us on BSI technical committees that you might not otherwise have access to. By giving you an insight into future changes that may impact your business, BMTA will encourage you to make your voice heard and your views known in the standards making process, both nationally and internationally. WHY JOIN? Here are some of the things BMTA can do for you: 2021 MEMBERSHIP FEES ARE: Associate (individual) - £126 + VAT Fewer than 7 employees or partners - £263 + VAT 8 - 24 employees or partners - £474 + VAT 25 - 250 employees or partners - £823 + VAT 250+ employees or partners - £1,043 + VAT An admin fee of £50 + VAT for all new joiners.UKAS PEER EVALUATION: HOW DOES THE NATIONAL ACCREDITATION BODY DEMONSTRATE ITS COMPETENCE AND CONFORMITY? Paul Greenwood, Operations Director at UKAS UKAS is a member at an international level of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). At a regional level, it remains an integral member of the European Co-operation for Accreditation (EA). Membership of these bodies underpins a number of multi-lateral agreements (MLAs) and mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) whereby economies around the globe accept the accreditation of products and services that have been conferred by other accreditation bodies. The MLAs / MRAs are dependent upon being successfully evaluated by peers from other accreditation bodies which involves review by a team of peers, generally senior staff of experienced recognised regional cooperation accreditation bodies. Each accreditation body with signatory status commits to maintaining conformity with the current version of ISO/IEC 17011 (Conformity assessment – General requirements for bodies providing assessment and accreditation of conformity assessment bodies) and supplementary requirements documents. EA peer evaluators are highly qualified and experienced National Accreditation Body staff members. They attend regular training programs in order to maintain their evaluator competence and support the necessary development of EA peer-evaluation activities, including the evolution of standards and regulations. Performance of EA evaluators is monitored by the Secretariat on a continuous basis. The main objectives of peer-evaluation activities are to ensure that regulators, stakeholders and the business community have confidence in the certificates and reports issued by accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies under the EA MLA. National Accreditation Bodies are evaluated for ongoing compliance against Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 (or equivalent), the international standard EN ISO/IEC 17011, and other relevant standards and related criteria such as application documents from EA, ILAC or IAF, and applicable criteria on behalf of European or National Regulators and industrial schemes. The MLA process is overseen by the European Commission, the EA Advisory Board and national authorities. Evaluations include time spent at the office of the accreditation body to determine compliance with ISO/IEC 17011 and other relevant requirements. Additionally, the evaluators witness the performance of the accreditation body’s assessors during actual assessments/reassessments to determine if the laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers and reference material producers are in compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 15189 or ISO/IEC 17020 or ISO/IEC 17043 or ISO 17034 and that there is sufficient depth of examination to determine competence. Global recognition is a result of EA being regularly peer evaluated by its colleagues, IAF and ILAC peer evaluators. In May 2021, UKAS was the subject of just such a peer evaluation, conducted by EA. Following an intense week of peer evaluation by a team of 13 EA colleagues, UKAS received a positive recommendation to renew its EA MLA status. As with any other organisation undergoing such scrutiny, UKAS received a number of nonconformities, but none were of a significant nature or appear to identify any systematic risks within its systems. They have, together with several comments, raised the opportunity for improvements. The Summary Report from the assessment team stated: The evaluation team was impressed with the expertise of staff and the data management system quality and capabilities, UKAS’ staff knowledge of and adherence to procedures and reference documents; assessor monitoring records; strategic vision and drive; strength of the decision-making process, and also a good and complete coverage of the accreditation scopes was appreciated. Top management is actively involved in operations and can rely on consistent data provided by the operations to take informed decisions with an excellent and open sharing of the knowledge, supported by a comprehensive management system. bmta.co.uk 15 The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole National Accreditation Body for the United Kingdom. UKAS is recognised by the government to assess against internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services. But how does UKAS demonstrate its own conformity and competence?16 bmta.co.uk 16 THE NON-TRADITIONAL ROUTE INTO METROLOGY Make UK Make UK’s purpose-built Technology Training Campus in Aston, Birmingham, has been designed to replicate modern manufacturing and engineering workplaces to deliver a range of bespoke in-plant programmes to support upskilling requirements tailored to suit the employers’ needs. Make UK recognises that training and producing the next generation of talent that the sector so desperately needs is vital to the industry, training over 300 apprentices per year for a variety of employers across all sectors of manufacturing. Last year, the first-ever cohort of metrology technician apprentices in the UK completed their Metrology Technician Level 3 training at Aston. Launched in 2018 in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington, this qualification included expert tuition and state of the art equipment, together with on and off-the-job training to develop the essential metrology knowledge, skills and behaviours required. This programme is tailored and has been developed through extensive customer research, enabling the industry to secure world-class measurement skills to unlock productivity and efficiency gains. The curriculum, involving a tailored two to three-year programme, is the first-ever apprenticeship measurement standard to be approved by government. It has been developed to bridge the skills gap for measurement expertise in the UK – to help apprentices gain a more in-depth understanding of measurement and its applications. The full apprenticeship is equivalent to two A-level passes, allowing for an accessible, non-traditional route into the measurement industry that is benchmarked to industry standards. Apprentices on the course learn about understanding measurement units and applications and identifying measurement needs, how to measure accurately and what can cause uncertain results, mathematical techniques, including statistics, data analysis and measurement calculations, how to use measuring instruments and relevant regulations. Also in partnership with NPL, Make UK offer a range of measurement and metrology qualifications that cover: • Dimensional Measurement User (DMU) (EAL qualification level 2) • Dimensional Measurement Applier (DMA) (EAL qualification level 3) • Laser Safety Workshop • Coordinate Measurement Methods (CMM) Verification to ISO 10360 • Introduction to Measurement and Metrology e-learning For further information, contact Make UK to see how they can support you with your upskilling needs and to learn more about their programmes run in partnership with NPL. Email: asrecruitment@makeuk.org Upskilling technical skills is a top growth priority for manufacturers as we emerge from the pandemic, especially as the sector increasingly moves towards digital skills.FROM APPRENTICE TO SCIENTIST Alison Rooker, NPL Apprenticeship Lead – Training NPL is the UK’s National Measurement Institute, developing and maintaining the national primary measurement standards, providing the UK with a national measurement infrastructure and delivering the UK Measurement Strategy on behalf of UK Government. NPL undertakes science and engineering to deliver extraordinary impact for the UK and provide the measurement capability that underpins the UK’s prosperity and quality of life; approximately 75% of our 1,000 workforce are technical staff who both develop new measurement science for the challenges the UK faces including climate change, low carbon technology and an ageing society, and who disseminate the wide range of commercial measurement services we have developed. Our success is based on our staff. Since 2014 we have had an established Apprenticeship Scheme, offering Level 3 apprenticeships in Science, Metrology, Engineering, IT, Finance, Digital Marketing and Business Administration. In 2019 we recruited our 100th apprentice. Most apprentices work directly in scientific areas. Apprentices are trained on our measurement services and rotate around science teams to gain real-life experience in the working environment. The majority of our apprentices have accepted full-time roles when they complete their programmes; some have gone on to study at university. NPL’s Training Team hold ESFA-approved training provider status and are on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers, enabling the team to train NPL-employed apprentices and those from other companies. NPL developed the curriculum materials for the Metrology Apprenticeship Standard programme, to enable a new pipeline of sought-after talent to the industry to contribute to the long-term success of the metrology profession and the economy. In 2017 we welcomed our first cohort of learners to Teddington where over their three-year programme they were able to spend time in the teaching laboratory exploring all aspects of metrology, with access to our expert scientists with an emphasis on practical skills. This cohort graduated in January 2021, completing both on and off the job training and demonstrating their metrology skills and knowledge. Those apprentices directly employed by NPL have secured permanent positions as Junior Research Scientists. An additional learner cohort from Jaguar Landrover successfully completed their studies in 2020 using NPL’s materials at Make UK’s Technology Hub in Aston, Birmingham. There is financial help available for employers who want to employ an apprentice. If you do not pay the levy, you only need to pay 5% towards the cost of training and assessing your apprentice. You need to agree to a payment schedule with the training provider and pay them directly for the training. The Government will pay the rest (95%) up to the funding band maximum, directly to the training provider. You could be eligible for extra funding dependent on your and your apprentice’s circumstances. If your company pays the levy, you’ll receive funds to spend on training and assessing your apprentices. The government will add 10%. As of July 2021, there is an incentive payment for new apprentices who join your organisation. You can claim £3,000 for apprentices who start between 1 April 2021 and 30 September 2021. The closing date for applications is 30 November 2021. More information on funding support (and details of how funding varies across the UK devolved nations) can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice/get-funding If you would like further information about the Level 3 Metrology Technician Apprenticeship programme, please contact apprenticeships@npl.co.uk bmta.co.uk 17bmta.co.uk A LOOMING CRISIS FOR UK CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT POST BREXIT? Jeff Llewellyn. President BMTA These regulations transpose into UK law the measures set out in the corresponding EU ‘New Approach’ Directives (and Regulations) which, prior to the UK-EU Trade Agreement coming into force from January 1 this year, required the products to be labelled with the CE mark. For the remainder of 2021, products labelled with the CE mark can still be placed on the UK market but manufacturers and importers are encouraged to start applying the UKCA mark as soon as possible. Products labelled with the CE mark can be placed on the UK market after 1 January 2022 but must carry the UKCA mark as well. The process of applying the UKCA mark to new products is very similar to that formerly used for applying the CE mark. There are a number of routes to marking which correspond to the various modules of the various EU Directives including self-declaration of conformity. All require that the product in question complies with the requirements of the relevant regulation and the specified British Standards for safety and performance. The process requires manufacturers and importers to apply to a UK Market Conformity Assessment Body (UKMCAB) which comprise Approved Bodies (ABs), UK Notified Bodies for Northern Ireland, Recognised 3rd Party Organisations (RPTOs), User Inspectorates (UIs) and Technical Assessment Bodies (TABs). The full list is available on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/uk-market-conformity-assessment-bodies. Approved Bodies are the largest category within this group and for that reason, this article will refer only to them. The ABs issue Certificates of Conformity to manufacturers and importers for their products which enable them to apply the UKCA mark. The list of ABs of which there are currently 106 registered in the UK, was generated by transferring all the former UK Notified Bodies listed on the EU NANDO database lock stock and barrel to the new UK list as Approved Bodies. This has resulted in a rather uneven spread of capabilities as shown in the table overleaf: 18 After 31 December 2021, all products which are covered by the UK Regulations that are listed in the column below must be labelled with the UK Conformity Assessment (UKCA) mark. But will the UK Conformity Assessment infrastructure be able to cope with the demand from manufacturers and importers? • Appliances Burning Gas • Cableway Installations • Civil Explosives • Construction Products • Ecodesign (Boiler Efficiency) • Electromagnetic Compatibility • Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (previously EU ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU) • Lifts • Marine Equipment • Measuring Instruments • Medical Devices (previously EU Medical Devices Directive 93/42/ EEC and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Directive 98/79/EC) • Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for Use Outdoors (previously EU Outdoor Noise Directive 2000/14/EC) • Non-automatic Weighing Instruments • Personal Protective Equipment • Pressure Equipment (Safety) • Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) • Radio Equipment • Railways (Interoperability) • Recreational Craft • Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) • Supply of Machinery (Safety) • Toys (Safety) • Transportable Pressure EquipmentAt first sight, this is reassuring. There appears to be ample capacity and choice of AB for the top half of the above list although the choice is limited for Gas Appliances, Toys, Medical Devices, Noise Emissions and Recreational Craft and Civil Explosives. The UK has no AB or capability for Pyrotechnics and Cableways. In reality, the list is very misleading as many of the ABs after first registering as NBs on the EU NANDO database well over a decade ago have become inactive. For example, the list shows that there are 20 ABs for Non-Automatic Weighing Machines and 17 for Measuring Instruments. However, the majority of ABs for these two categories were local authorities’ Trading Standards Departments which have since ceased doing this work as their resources and manpower have been cut back. The result is that there are now only two or three active NABs in these two categories. Other NBs have ceased activity as there was insufficient demand for their services for them to maintain a viable business. Many former NBs had relied on extensive business from manufacturers in the EU to apply the CE mark, but since 1 January this year, this income stream has been denied them. The ABs need to be assured that the demand for the UKCA mark will be sufficient for them to maintain their capabilities and operate profitably. The true availability of ABs and their capacities at the present time is unclear. BMTA has been tracking this issue since the Brexit Agreement was signed and subsequently undertook a survey of Notified Bodies in early Spring 2020. The survey flagged up concerns about coverage, capacity and capability and we went on to make a number of recommendations in the 18 months then available before the December 31, 2021 implementation date. We continue to work with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to establish just what the current situation is. It will be difficult for manufacturers and importers of products for which the UK has no AB or capacity to place new products on the UK market. If a crisis in such cases is to be averted, the options for the Government and regulatory authorities are: (a) To continue to recognise the CE mark for such products in the UK until the UK has sufficient ABs and capacity to apply the UKCA mark; (b) To revoke the relevant regulation(s), which is undesirable as this would effectively remove all consumer protection; (c) To allow NBs in the EU to issue Certificates of Conformity for the UKCA mark; (d) To allow NBs in the EU to set up offices in the UK for the receipt of test specimens and issue of certificates, the test specimens being sent to laboratories in the EU for compliance testing. It is not clear whether this is legally permitted or whether the EU NBs must have testing capabilities based in the UK (i.e. a UK based operation); (e) To allow temporarily unmarked products onto the UK market. This would be risky as it could allow unsafe and inferior products to be sold. Time is short for the uncertainties to be resolved, given the time that is necessary for manufacturers to complete the application process and then gear up for product marking and production once a Certificate of Conformity has been issued. bmta.co.uk 19 Regulation/ product Number of ABs • Construction Products 39 • Pressure Equipment (Safety) 22 • Non Automatic Weighing Instruments 20 • Automatic Weighing Instruments 17 • Electromagnetic Compatibility 14 • Supply of Machinery 14 • Radio Equipment 9 • Personal Protective Equipment 9 • Equipment and Protective Systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres 9 • Railways Interoperability 8 • Marine Equipment 7 • Ecodesign (Boiler efficiency) 6 • Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) 5 • Transportable Pressure Equipment 4 • Marine Equipment 4 • Appliances Burning Gas 3 • Toys 3 • Medical Devices 3 • Noise Emission in the Environment by equipment for use outdoors 2 • Recreational Craft 1 • Civil Explosives 1 • Pyrotechnic Articles 0 • Cableway Installations 0 (Note: Many NBs have multiple capabilities) POST SCRIPT The UK Government has issued guidance to manufacturers, importers and distributors on UKCA and UKNI Marking. You can find these documents by clicking through to our website HERE. We would encourage all UKCA and UKNI bodies to distribute these guidance documents to their customers. BMTA continues to engage with BEIS on a wide range of issues impacting the implementation of UKCA marking and would like to hear from UK Approved Bodies to gather views and concerns. To provide your feedback, please email enquiries@ bmta.co.uk, adding UKCA to the subject line.Next >