WINTER 2024 Speaking with one voice to Government, UKAS and the European lab community Developing the metrology underpinning the innovation in biome plastics The crucial role of BS 8414 testing in ensuring façade safetyCONTENTS Page 2 – Editor’s Note Page 4 – News Page 8 – Features Welcome to the latest issue of the BMTA newsletter and welcome to a new year in the world of metrology. We’re delighted to announce the launch of our new website, which boasts a range of whistles and bells for members – and some benefits for non- members too. We have tried to take your feedback on board and deliver the services you need and we hope you’re happy with the final result. As ever, we are keen to hear your thoughts on the site and the newsletter and discuss with you ways in which we can work together. Hazel Davis Editor To subscribe to the newsletter visit: www.bmta.co.uk. EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to the Autumn issue of the BMTA Newsletter BMTA - the voice of measurement and testing BMTA was created in 1990 in response to the need for an independent ‘lobby’ for the private sector to speak with one voice to Government, UKAS, BSI and other official bodies on issues affecting the whole measurement, testing and calibration community. We encourage you to make your views known in the standards making process through your contribution to newsletters, participation in BMTA activities and membership of relevant BMTA and standards-making committees.NEWS BMTA 3 £4.5 billion boost for UK manufacturing across key sectors In a significant move to bolster British manufacturing, the government has revealed a £4.5 billion funding initiative targeting eight pivotal sectors throughout the United Kingdom. The sectors set to benefit include automotive, aerospace, life sciences, and clean energy. The funding injection is slated to be available from 2025 and will span a five-year period. A substantial portion of the financial commitment, exceeding £2 billion, has been designated for the automotive industry. Additionally, the aerospace sector is set to receive £975 million, aimed at supporting manufacturing, fortifying supply chains and facilitating the development of zero-emission vehicles. In a bid to stimulate growth among small and medium- sized manufacturing enterprises on a broader scale, the government announced the expansion of the Made Smarter Adoption programme. Scheduled for implementation in 2025-26, the programme will be extended to encompass all English regions before collaboration with Devolved Administrations to explore the possibility of making it nationwide from 2026-27. The Made Smarter Adoption programme is designed to assist small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in leveraging advanced digital technologies and enhancing productivity. Notably, the expansion will also include the integration of digital internships to boost innovation in manufacturing.NEWS 4 BMTA National Apprenticeship Week, 5-11 February 2024 National Apprenticeship Week takes place from 5-11 February and is a week-long celebration that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Throughout the week, top employers and organisations come together to showcase their opportunities to thousands of attendees, who are actively seeking an apprenticeship. The theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is ‘Skills For Life’ and the organisation is calling on individuals, employers, training providers and communities to get involved by encouraging everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help to provide #SkillsForLife. For more information on how to get involved visit https:// nationalapprenticeshipweek.co.uk CPTPP General Review public engagement period The Department for Business and Trade has launched a period of public engagement to seek views on how the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) can remain a ‘gold standard’ trade agreement. The UK officially joined the CPTPP last July in a trade alliance spanning 12 economies across Asia, the Pacific and Europe. The inclusion of the UK positions the nation as a significant contributor, accounting for nearly 15% of the global GDP in 2022. In November, member countries, including the UK, reaffirmed their dedication to a comprehensive General Review of the agreement. To that end, the CPTPP is actively soliciting perspectives from businesses, individuals and various stakeholders. To share your views, please click here. NEWS BMTA 5 Join the BMTA at MACH 2024 The BMTA is excited to be exhibiting at MACH 2024, the national exhibition for inspiring, innovating and connecting manufacturing. We would like to offer our members the opportunity to use the stand to promote their capabilities, products, services and achievements. If you have a story to tell or a product to sell please get in touch. Let us help you connect with what could be your next big order or a long-term partnership. Around 26,000 people are expected to attend the show across five days and we’d love it if you could join us. MACH 24 – which takes place on 15-19 April – is the UK’s largest showcase for the engineering-based manufacturing technologies. We’d love for you to join us at MACH 24. Please get in touch to discuss how best we can promote you: editor@bmta.co.uk. The UKAS Policy Advisory Forum (PAF) meeting took place on 19 September, the first time the PAF has convened in person since 2019. There were presentations from Matt Gantley (UKAS strategic update) and Lorraine Turner (PACE programme) and Craig Watson, Deputy Director, Office for Product Safety and Standards. PAF received applications from new organisations, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, HMRC, the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Electrical Appliances, the Engineering and Machinery Alliance and the Welsh Government. In his opening remarks, UKAS Chairman, Lord Lindsay, referenced UKAS’s continued closer working with national quality infrastructure partners, the British Standards Institution and the National Physical Laboratory, to highlight how accreditation, standards and measurement can support better, smarter and more agile regulation. Other topics covered during the meeting included the strengthening of UKAS/ OPSS relationship, OPSS funding for UKAS digital projects, the extension of CE marking for DBT regulated products and the UK’s signing of the CPTPP Accession Protocol. There was also an update on the extensive programme of work underway in UKAS to respond to lessons learnt from the Grenfell tragedy and subsequent public inquiry. As part of the PACE programme UKAS is also looking at complaints handling and reports of quality incidents. To obtain the full meeting notes, please get in touch: editor@bmta.co.uk UKAS Policy Advisory Forum meeting There was also an update on the extensive programme of work underway in UKAS to respond to lessons learnt from the Grenfell tragedyNEWS 6 BMTA Choice on units of measurement update The Government released its Choice on units of measurement: consultation response back in December and so far has decided against any legislative changes. The review of units of measurement was announced back in September 2021 with the aim of exploring how to give more choice to businesses and consumers over the units of measurement they use for domestic trade. As part of the review the Government ran an early-stage consultation in 2022. The results of the analysis showed that 98.7% of respondents were in favour of using metric units when buying or selling products, either as the primary unit of sale or as the sole unit of sale. Some 1.3% of respondents were in favour of increased use of imperial units when buying or selling products, either by increased choice between using metric and imperial units or moving to a purely imperial system While the government is not making any changes to the law, new guidance will be published to promote awareness of the current freedoms that exist to display imperial units, alongside a more prominent metric equivalent. There will be a wider review of metrology legislation in line with the government’s commitment to identify opportunities for reform of Retained EU Law. As the first step in this review the Government has announced its intention to update the specified sizes that prepacked still and sparkling wine can be sold in allowing both to be sold in 500ml and 200ml sizes and introducing a new 568ml ‘pint’ quantity. Quantum technologies industry event – Feb 2024 The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the University of Manchester are bringing together government, industry and technology leaders to understand and explore quantum technologies and how organisations can prepare and utilise this disruptive technology into strategic plans. The UK is leading a global race to develop this new quantum era, forging its research strength into market opportunities through a co-ordinated and coherent National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP). The NPL Quantum Programme supports UK industry’s need for independent test and evaluation, standards and measurement to deliver new quantum technologies. NPL is a partner in the UK NQTP. Join the NPL for a networking lunch followed by talks and discussions with leading speakers from government, industry and technology. For more information visit www.npl.co.uk/events/ quantum-technologies-industry-manchester FEATURE BMTA 7 New BMTA website – with added member benefits The BMTA has officially launched its new website. The updated website has a host of new capabilities for members, including training updates, a live jobs board – free for members – and editable member profiles. There are also regular training discounts and special offers. Membership of the BMTA is open to all laboratory-based organisations associated with the measurement and testing industry. Other benefits include access to informative resources, dedicated trade listings and networking opportunities, member discounts and the opportunity to influence legislation and make a real change in the industry. We would welcome your feedback on all aspects of the website. For more information visit www.bmta.co.uk Engineering Supply Chain Show (ESC) – deal for BMTA members The Engineering Supply Chain Show (ESC) takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from the 16-18 April 2024. Co-located with the MACH 24 show with more than 26,000 visitors, it’s a must-attend exhibition for the sector. To exhibit, companies must be UK registered and offer capacity in subcontract or supply chain services. Examples include precision machined-parts subcontracting, castings and forgings, coatings, mechatronic and electronic design and assembly, extrusion, fabrication, finishing, forming, pressings and stampings, tool making, forming and manipulation, vacuum technology and design, development and testing services, and any products and services which will assist the industry. Members of the BMTA are being offered a member benefit discount to exhibit at the show for £385/m 2 (non-member rate £425/m 2 ). Contact the team to enquire about stand space or request further information about exhibiting: https:// engineeringsupplychain.co.uk/why-exhibit/ or call Chris Seldon on 0207 298 641.FEATURE 8 BMTA Understanding the new EU battery regulations Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 concerning batteries and waste batteries will bring about significant changes in the European Union’s approach to battery sustainability, performance, safety, and waste management. The regulation came into force on 18 August 2023. Scope and application The regulation covers a wide range of batteries, including portable batteries, electric vehicle batteries, industrial batteries, and stationary battery energy storage systems. It sets out requirements for sustainability, performance, safety, labelling, marking, and information disclosure for batteries placed on the market or put into service within the EU. New requirements The regulation introduces several new requirements affecting various battery categories, including carbon footprint declarations, performance and durability standards, recycled content declarations, safety measures, and labelling requirements. Notably, there are specific provisions for the removability and replaceability of portable batteries, safety of stationary battery energy storage systems, and conformity assessment procedures for different battery types. Timeline of implementation 2024: Performance and durability requirements documentation for EV, Industrial >2 kWh, and LMT batteries. Safety requirements compliance for stationary battery energy storage systems. 2025: Carbon footprint declaration for EV batteries. Batteries marked with the symbol for separate collection. 2026: Carbon footprint declaration for industrial batteries (excluding external storage). Carbon footprint performance class requirements for EV batteries. 2027: Carbon footprint performance class requirements for industrial batteries (excluding external storage). Batteries marked with a QR code linking to a battery passport or other information. 2028: Carbon footprint declaration for LMT batteries. Maximum life cycle carbon footprint for EV batteries. Documentation showing the percentage share of recycled/ recovered materials for certain industrial batteries. 2029: Maximum life cycle carbon footprint for industrial batteries (excluding external storage). 2030: Carbon footprint declaration for industrial batteries with external storage.FEATURE BMTA 9 Carbon footprint performance class requirements for LMT batteries. 73% collection rates of portable batteries. 2031 Maximum life cycle carbon footprint for LMT batteries. Documentation showing the percentage share of recycled/ recovered materials for certain industrial batteries. 61% collection target for waste batteries. 2032 Carbon footprint performance class requirements for industrial batteries with external storage. Maximum life cycle carbon footprint for industrial batteries with external storage. Documentation showing the percentage share of recycled/ recovered materials for certain LMT batteries. 2036 Documentation showing the percentage share of recycled/ recovered materials for certain industrial batteries.Next >