NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS SUSTAINABILITY GOALS HELIUM SHORTAGES – HOW LABS SHOULD PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE BEHIND THE SCENES AT FOOD SAFETY CONTROLS ACCREDITED AND NON-ACCREDITED CERTIFICATION WINTER 2022CONTENTS Page 2 – Editor’s Note Page 3 – Meet our Newsletter Contributors Page 4 – News Page 18 – Helium Shortages – How Analytical Laboratories can Prepare for the Future by Dr Elinor Hughes, Technical Copywriter at Markes International Page 22 – Upgraded Facility Enhances UK Flow Measurement Standards by Dr. Carl Wordsworth, Head of Water Sector TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory Page 26 – Sustainability at 3M by David Gurden-Williams, Product Stewardship Specialist, Corporate R&D, North Europe Region, 3M United Kingdom PLC Page 30 – Demystifying Net Zero by Make UK Page 34 – A “Behind The Scenes” Look at Food Safety Controls by Marta Vaquero, UKAS Accreditation Specialist – Food and Farm Certification Page 36 – Accredited and Non-Accredited Certification by Wayne Terry, Chief Executive, ABCB Page 38 – Help Shape The Digital Future of NPL by Daniel Povey – Higher Research Scientist, Manufacturing Metrology Group, NPL Page 40 – Understanding UKAS Day Rates. What is Included in Chargeable Office Time? by Paul Greenwood Operations Director - UKAS Page 44 – BMTA Council Member Profile Andy Morris MBE, BSc(Open), Finstmc Page 47 – Member Notices Welcome to the Winter issue of the BMTA Newsletter In this issue we have features from David Gurden-Williams at 3M on how 3M’s sustainability goals have been aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Make UK explores the key considerations for manufacturers as they either start or accelerate their net-zero journey and Carl Wordsworth at TÜV SÜD tells us how the upgrade of its water flow testing facility as part of the UK’s national Flow Programme is part of the organisation’s strategy to deliver more effective, economic and sustainable water management Fluctuating global helium levels are causing problems, such as difficulty sourcing helium and increasing costs for the many industries that rely on it. Elinor Hughes, Technical Copywriter at Markes International looks at how analytical laboratories can prepare for the future with reduced helium use. As industry adopts increasingly digital technologies, the UK’s National Measurement Institute must continue to develop to support that evolution. Daniel Povey, Higher Research Scientist at NPL seeks feedback and guidance on how we can best shape our development in the context of industrial digitalisation. Marta Vaquero, UKAS Accreditation Specialist, asks how well informed are we about the food safety controls that are applied in each step of the food chain. Wayne Terry, Chief Executive, ABCB, looks at certification offered by conformity assessment, or certification, bodies (CABs) which may or may not be accredited by national accreditation bodies (NABs) and Paul Greenwood, Operations Director, UKAS clarifies the activities included in the UKAS ‘Office time’ invoice category. Our BMTA Council Member profile this issue is on Andy Morris MBE. Find out what being a Council member means to him. Our theme for the Spring 2022 issue is: Artificial Intelligence (AI) To help us provide our BMTA members with useful information we would like your help to: • identify and share relevant topics; • provide research on new technologies or techniques; • let us know industry news; • promote events and training sessions; • inform us of publications you think may be of interest to your fellow BMTA members. Contact us at editor@bmta.co.uk EDITOR’S NOTE bmta.co.uk 2MEET OUR NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS bmta.co.uk Dr Elinor Hughes Technical Copywriter Markes International Dr David Gurden-Williams Product Stewardship Specialist, Corporate R&D North Europe Region, 3M Daniel Povey, Higher Research Scientist, NPL Paul Greenwood Operations Director - UKAS Wayne Terry Chief Executive ABCB Marta Vaquero UKAS Accreditation Specialist – Food and Farm Certification by Dr. Carl Wordsworth Head of Water Sector TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory Dr Elinor Hughes obtained her B.Sc. in chemistry and Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Bangor University, UK. After working for a chemical manufacturing company for three years, she moved to the Royal Society of Chemistry where she worked in journals publishing for six years and on Chemistry World magazine for four years. This was followed by five years as a freelance copyeditor and science writer. Her current role is technical copywriter at Markes International. David is a Test Laboratory Supervisor at 3M United Kingdom Plc, on the Aycliffe Site. He manages the daily operations of an accredited test laboratory scoped for respiratory protective devices and manages a quality management system which successfully transitioned to ISO9001:2015 and ISO17025:2017. David is also a BSI committee member for respiratory protection and CEN convenor for a respiratory test method working group. Daniel is a Higher Research Scientist at the National Physical Laboratory, working primarily on the measurement challenges associated with digitalisation and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Part of this involves collaborating with Industry to evaluate the potential of IIoT solutions within applied manufacturing processes and testing Standards: determining the suitability of sensor systems used to monitor operating parameters and conditions - and using this data to inform decisions. Paul Greenwood (CChem MRSC) joined UKAS in 2006 after a 13 year post-graduate career as a chemist in the fields of nuclear chemistry, drinking water analysis, environmental testing and analytical instrument manufacture. Since joining UKAS he has progressed from the role of Assessment Manager / Technical Assessor to the position of Operations Director. In addition to oversight of the accreditation of over 2000 conformity assessment bodies, he is an executive member of the UKAS Board and responsible for ensuring strategic development and delivery of accreditation nationally and internationally. Wayne Terry is the Chief Executive of ABCB (Association of British Certification Bodies) having worked within the UK Conformity Infrastructure for over 20 years. Wayne represents the views of ABCB members in both the UK and internationally working on various industry committees including UK standards development and maintenance; Government, UKAS and IAF committees and represents EFAC at EA. Carl is currently the Head of Oil and Gas R&D for NEL, he has worked with NEL at East Kilbride in the National Engineering Laboratory for just over a year. Carl has 23 years’ experience working in fluids research, and has spent most of his career looking at R & D within the oil and gas industry. Carl has spent over 10 years developing New Products for the oil and gas industry and has developed a number of separation technologies for which he holds a number of patents. Carl’s most recent work has concentrated on Business Development into the water industry for NEL. He holds a BEng in Mineral Engineering and a PhD in Solid State Electrochemistry both gained at Leeds University. 34 NEWS bmta.co.uk US TRADE BARRIERS BMTA has been contacted by the Department for International Trade to ask our members if they have encountered any sub-federal level barriers with doing business in the US. If you have been affected by this issue please click HERE to visit our form to respond. MARKES’ SAMPLING TECHNOLOGIES TEAM Markes International is relaunching its supplies and consumables business unit as the Sampling Technologies team. The new team consists of product and application specialists that can support sample preparation and gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy workflows. Markes has recognised the increasing value of sampling strategies within analytical workflows. As such, the Sampling Technologies team will focus resources and bring new product innovations to help overcome analytical challenges. The Sampling Technologies team offers a tailored consultancy service, encompassing engineering, sampling techniques and method development. Hand-in-hand with this, further training is also offered at the Schauenberg Analytics Training Academy. The Academy provides in-depth training on Markes’ products and applications. It offers a range of courses, delivered by product and application specialists from both Markes International and sister company SepSolve Analytical. Registering with the Schauenburg Analytics Training Academy, will provide: • Access to subject matter experts and technical resources for best practice and method development know-how; • Access to a wide range of training materials to advance knowledge in the field of GC-based analytical chemistry; • Advice on application of sampling techniques and the wider TD–GC–MS workflow; and • Information about relevant technological advances from the wider Schauenburg Analytics Group, including advances in chromatography, mass spectrometry, chemometrics and data processing. More information can be found at https://markes.com/sampling- technologies or via email at sampletech@markes.com. IMEKO TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 11 - NEW FOCUS The IMEKO Technical Committee 11 (TC11) has a new focus, addressing the broad scope of “Measurement in testing, inspection and certification”. The TC11 is now being developed to build a network that would be able to share the latest achievements, knowledge, experiences, thoughts, views and ideas. TC11 is now inviting professionals in the fields of TIC (Testing, Inspection and Certification) to follow the activities of this TC. IMEKO TC11 intends to provide a forum on a global level for the organisation of international scientific and technical events, such as congresses, conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses and meetings, in a wide number of fields of interest, to include: • Management systems and quality in the TIC sector. • Regulatory framework for quality, safety and security of products and services (agri-food; environment; health; cybersecurity; communication; construction; IoT; AI; among others). • Accreditation of conformity assessment bodies. • Innovation and validation of methods. • Sampling activities related to measurement. • Metrological traceability, measurement uncertainty and conformity assessment. • Proficiency testing, inter-laboratory, intra-laboratory comparisons and methods of quality assurance. • Certification of reference materials and their use in laboratories. • Certification of products, processes, management systems and persons. • Management of information and LIMS. • Development of standardisation. • Promotion of international co-operation and with IMEKO TC’s. The LinkedIn page and group “IMEKO TC11 – Measurement in Testing, Inspection and Certification” will be a central point for information on TC11 activities and events: congresses, conferences, training, seminars and workshops that might be of interest and benefit to you and/or your colleagues. All details about the TC11 can be found on the IMEKO website: www.imeko.org and TC11 webpage: https://www. imeko.org/index.php/tc11-homepage/. 5 NEWS bmta.co.uk Contribute to our next newsletter We encourage our readers to send in thought leadership articles and opinion pieces on a wide range of technical, operational and commercial issues impacting any aspect of the UK measurement and testing industry. To provide the best possible coverage for you within the newsletter we ask that alongside the article that you provide a 50-100 word synopsis which we can use to highlight the article before publication via news feeds and the BMTA website. Feature articles are usually between a half A4 page and two A4 pages of text in length. In addition to this we would ask that you provide supporting images, at print ready resolution, together with a photo and short biography of the author. If you would like to contribute, please email Laura Vallis at editor@bmta.co.uk NPL DEPLOYS GREENHOUSE GAS ANALYSER AT COP26 Scientists from NPL installed an analyser at the top of the 120m high Glasgow Science Centre tower to track greenhouse gas emissions for the duration of the COP26 conference. The instrument measured methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and provide real-time data for the duration of COP26. A spectrometer and atmospheric sampling system, usually at home in NPL’s Atmospheric Composition Measurement Laboratory in Teddington, provided simultaneous, precise measurement of methane, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide at parts-per-billion (i.e. nmol mol-1 amount fraction) sensitivity and water vapour at parts-per-million (μmol mol-1) sensitivity. The instrument was installed at the beginning of October in Glasgow and situated in the observation deck at the top of the Science Centre tower. The NPL measurements were included on a live dashboard tracking methane and carbon dioxide measurements made at ground level across Glasgow by the UK DECC network, University of Bristol, BEACO2N, Royal Holloway University of London and the University of Strathclyde. The data was also displayed during various events hosted by NPL throughout COP26. The data collected from the instrument demonstrates the importance of metrology in improving greenhouse gas mitigation measures and how important these measures are when it comes to tackling climate change. The COP26 greenhouse gas data dashboard, where you can view atmospheric greenhouse gas measurements made in Glasgow before and during the COP26 event can be viewed here: https://openghg.github.io/dashboard/6 NEWS bmta.co.uk BSI CONTINUES CEN AND CENELEC MEMBERSHIP The CEN and CENELEC General Assemblies voted overwhelmingly to support BSI’s continued membership of CEN and CENELEC. This decision followed the adoption of new statutes in June last year which created a new type of full member for countries that find themselves in the UK’s position of exiting the EU, and the successful audit in August of BSI’s compliance with the rules of the new member type. Under the new membership category, BSI retains all of its rights to run committees, to participate and to adopt ENs. Whereas there will be some changes to how BSI is represented in the governing bodies of CEN and CENELEC, BSI’s seat on the Technical Boards continues unchanged. This decision provides certainty and continuity for our UK stakeholders. It is fully in line with the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and supports the UK Designated Standards System which specifically refers to the role of European standards. In practical terms, this means that the rights of BSI experts to contribute to European technical work continues, as does the right of BSI to propose new work items, apply to hold secretariats and to nominate committee chairs. MMN EVENTS - HOW TO SPECIFY YOUR CALIBRATION REQUIREMENTS When we send items for calibration it is with the expectation that when they return they are fit for use, working and within their given specification. But how many of us actually consider what kind of calibration we need? How can we ensure that the equipment that we send for calibration will be suitable for our own specific needs, including the range of measurements for which they are used, and the accuracy of these measurements? For example, if you use a digital temperature indicator with a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of the working environment that is expected to be between 10⁰C and 20⁰C, and you want to know the actual temperature to within + 0.5⁰C then why get a calibration that covers the instruments complete range of -200⁰C to +600⁰C with calibration intervals of 100⁰C? Wouldn’t it be better to have your device calibrated at 5⁰C over the range 5⁰C to 25⁰C so that you understand its linearity over this range? In this case, you could specify that the instrument is calibrated from 5⁰C to 25⁰C at 5⁰C intervals and that your required specification is + 0.5⁰C. If you request the latter calibration from your service provider they will better understand what is required. They will ensure that not only will the device be calibrated over the range you need but also that the equipment that the calibration method uses can determine that the instrument meets its specification (their own system accuracy ought to be of the order of 10 times better than your specification). The NPL Manufacturer Measurement Network (MMN) webinar event entitled ‘How to Specify Your Calibration Requirements to Help Small Businesses”, will be co-hosted by BMTA and will discuss this topic. A guide for small businesses to help with making decisions about specifying calibration requirements is planned for release soon after the event. The webinar will include talks from the guide’s author, a representative from a major calibration company and a speaker from the world of quality and standards. The event will take place online at 1530 hrs on 22nd March and is free to join. Registration is essential: https://www.npl.co.uk/ events/mmn-how-to-specify-your-calibration-requirements-t TRESCAL ACQUIRES CLASSIC TECHNOLOGY AND CATLAB Trescal has announced the acquisition of Classic Technology Ltd in Naas, Republic of Ireland, and CATLab in Virginia and North Carolina, USA. These two companies add €6 million in total sales. They are the 34th and 35th since OMERS invested in April 2018. The addition of Classic Technology allows Trescal to establish its presence in the Republic of Ireland, the 27th country for the Group. Established in 1997, Classic Technology is one of the largest Irish calibration companies. It specialises in life sciences, especially the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Founded in 1989, CATLab also specialises in the life science sector and offers accreditations in six domains including pressure, vacuum, temperature, humidity and flow. With the addition of its two laboratories, Trescal will now operate from five locations in Virginia and North Carolina, extending its geographic coverage in the American Southeast. Guillaume Caroit, CEO of Trescal: “These acquisitions illustrate our will to develop our presence in the life science sector. We plan to reach 30% of our turnover in this industry by year-end. We are also proud to penetrate the Republic of Ireland.”7 NEWS bmta.co.uk ELEMENT MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY ACQUIRED BY TEMASEK Element Materials Technology Group (Element or the Group), testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) services company, has been acquired by Temasek from Bridgepoint. Temasek, a global investor headquartered in Singapore, has been a minority shareholder in Element since 2019. The Group generates annual revenues of c.$1 billion and has grown at over 20% a year over the last ten years. The transaction value has not been disclosed and the transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals. Operating in technically demanding and highly regulated sectors, Element is well-positioned to further accelerate its growth as it builds stronger positions in end markets, such as life sciences and connected technologies. The Group also benefits from strong global ESG tailwinds - with over 60% of its work already directly supporting customers on their sustainability journeys, it will continue to strengthen its position across the global TIC industry. Element can trace its origins back 190 years, and now operates a global network of more than 200 laboratories across 30 countries, servicing thousands of customers in life sciences, connected technologies, aerospace, transportation, energy transition, built environment and beyond. Element works with customers across a wide spectrum - from testing the next generation of aircraft and autonomous vehicles, to vaccine component testing in its US pharmaceutical laboratories; from the certification of smartphones and wearable technologies to providing cellular carrier approvals and testing connected robots. Headquartered in London, UK, Element’s team of over 7,000 scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers from early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, ensuring their products are safe and sustainable. Element recently achieved the best ESG rating of any major TIC company globally, placing in the top 1.5% of all companies rated for ESG by Sustainalytics. Element’s 10.5 corporate ESG rating reflects its industry-leading ESG systems, management, and commitments, which include setting science-based climate targets and achieving net-zero emissions across its entire business by 2035. Allan Leighton, Non-Executive Chairman of Element, said: “Element has a highly talented management team and exceptional people across our offices and laboratories around the world. This transaction is a testament to their skills and commitment and creates the launchpad for the next exciting horizon of growth for the company.” Jo Wetz, CEO of Element, said: “The acquisition of Element by Temasek is a landmark transaction in the TIC sector, and a critical step in the development of the Group. We have grown from 20 locations and 600 colleagues ten years ago, to over 7,000 talented experts operating across 200 locations, and are ambitious to continue our rapid growth in the sector. “Bridgepoint has been an exceptional partner, helping to support a ten-fold increase in our turnover over the past decade. We are delighted to expand our relationship with Temasek - their intimate understanding of the Group and their track record of enabling businesses with sustainability at their core will help to accelerate the growth of our business in the years ahead.” Chris Busby, partner at Bridgepoint, said “I am extremely proud of what Element and its outstanding team have delivered. The business has been bold in its ambition, delivered impressive organic growth, and has been clinical in its acquisition strategy - allowing it to significantly expand its expertise for over 50,000 customers worldwide. It is now an undisputed heavyweight in Testing, Inspection and Certification, and we wish the team of 7,000 people continued success in the future”. Uwe Krueger, Temasek’s Head Industrials, Business Services, Energy & Resources, and Head, Europe, Middle East & Africa said: “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Element as it works with its customers and explores greater opportunities to be part of their decarbonisation and sustainability journeys. As a leading TIC business, Element is at the forefront of enabling innovative solutions across various industries.”8 NEWS bmta.co.uk MEMBERSHIP If you are reading this newsletter and are interested in finding out more about becoming a member of the BMTA, please email enquiries@bmta.co.uk, requesting a membership application pack. Membership of the Association is open to all organisations in the measurement, testing and calibration industry. BMTA ANNUAL REVIEW BMTA is a member-owned and driven not-for-profit organisation, serving our member's collective and individual needs. Bringing together laboratories, test houses, equipment suppliers, certification and accreditation bodies, regulators, standards bodies and NMOs, we represent the interests of the measurement and testing industry in the United Kingdom, supporting member companies in their development through networking, knowledge sharing and training. During the last 12 months, BMTA has proudly • Represented the interests of members on the UKAS PAC and PAF; • Supported the NCFE in the launch of the first specialist Metrology T Level; • Promoted member interests to Government on the introduction of the UKCA mark; • Provided input into Government thinking on Technical Barrier to Trade as relating to International Trade Agreements; • Supported the work of the UK Mirror Group for CEN/CENELEC Industry Advisory Forum; • Promoted the work of the UK TIC industry across regulatory, legislative and policy organisations to ensure the best possible outcome for member companies; • Engaged with the HMRC Treasury and other related stakeholders on changes to Inward and Outward Processing rules and VAT on Temporary Imports as a result of BREXIT; • Developed a partnership to provide member companies with discounted HR and Legal Support services as part of the information and resources relating to Covid-19; • Provided members with access to numerous BSI Standard Making committees. BMTA has also delivered online meetings and webinars and these are expected to continue in addition to welcoming the return of live events in 2022. In addition, we continue to grow both the range of contributors and the number of subscribers to our quarterly Newsletter Tony Smith, BMTA Chairman said: “I would like to thank all those who give their time to support the various activities of BMTA as committee members, contributors to the newsletter and providers of knowledge and support to our member companies. As with all trade associations, the strength of the collective far outweighs the sum of the individual parts and, for your part in that collective support, we are grateful.” If you are not already a member and would like to discover more about the benefits of BMTA membership, please contact enquiries@bmta.co.uk9 NEWS bmta.co.uk Following recent research that shows fewer than one in four of the world’s largest companies are on track to meet basic climate change targets, and Europe will miss its 2030 climate goal by 21 years, the Declaration promises to embed key climate considerations into every new standard that is created. It will also retrospectively add these requirements to all existing standards as they are revised, a change on an unparalleled scale. The London Declaration, “ISO’s Climate Commitment”, was approved by ISO members, representing 165 countries from around the world. The historic commitment concluded ISO Week 2021, which took place as a three-day meeting hosted virtually by the British Standards Institution (BSI). The Declaration reads: “ISO hereby commits to work with its members, stakeholders and partners to ensure that ISO International Standards and publications accelerate the successful achievement of the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Call for Action on Adaptation and Resilience.” Dr Scott Steedman, Director-General, Standards at BSI and host of the event, said: “Consensus-based standards are in a unique position to enact positive climate action. The sheer scale that standards operate at and the vital role they play for government and industry alike means they can accelerate the achievement of the climate goals. The Declaration will help ensure that climate-friendly standards become the norm across all industries.” ISO President Eddy Njoroge echoed the commitment: “The ISO community has spoken. Together, we have made a historic declaration that reaffirms our commitment to climate action. As I took up my role as President, I came with a view that ISO standards can be a catalyst for development. Two years on, it has now become my deep- seated conviction. Let’s create a climate future that we, and all our future generations, want, need and deserve.” ISO has produced over a thousand standards, including those that support climate adaptation and mitigation that contribute directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on climate action. ISO is uniquely positioned to give guidance to all types of organisations, irrespective of their size, scope or location, on implementing, integrating and promoting environmentally responsible behaviour. The London Declaration emphasises International Standards’ important role in assisting communities, organisations and industries in the transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources. They can also help to preserve biodiversity at the same time as opening up markets for innovations that address global environmental challenges. ISO Secretary-General Sergio Mujica reaffirmed ISO’s pledge to deliver: “We are committed to doing everything in our power to promote the awareness of the role that ISO standards can play in combating climate change. We have made a significant commitment to enabling change and spreading hope, through the London Declaration. We ask the international community now to work together in upholding its intentions and spirit in putting International Standards at the heart of action on climate.” As well as promising that ISO will work with all members, stakeholders and partners to actively consider climate science in the development of new and revised standards and publications, the Declaration also stipulates that it will facilitate the involvement of civil society and those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change in the development of all international standards and publications. ISO COMMITS TO CLIMATE AGENDA A game-changing moment for the environment could see a real acceleration in business and governments’ race to net-zero. The London Declaration is a push from ISO to transform the approach to climate action and advance international work to attain net-zero goals.Next >