BCAS 2018

Technical Officer report 14 www.bcas.org.uk Continuing participation P neurop is the channel by which BCAS inputs to EU policy for compressed air equipment, and also wider business issues common to the industrial sector in general. In air compressors, Pneurop Committee PN2 formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) to address the Ecodesign of compressors – LOT 31. All Ecodesign & Energy labelling measures have slowed as the EU Commission re-considers whether Ecodesign is still the appropriate instrument and the increasing importance of resource efficiency aspects not purely energy. CEN and CENELEC have a JWG 10: ‘Energy-related products - Material Efficiency Aspects for Ecodesign’. The move towards the circular economy takes into account all the impacts of product – a “cradle to grave” approach. The world’s resources area not infinite and the throwaway society is not sustainable long term. This will affect compressed air systems more than energy labelling which has been the main focus of time, energy and effort within Lot 31. Like other industries the compressed air sector will have to re- think its business model based on ever increasing sales and aim for the opposite – maximising lifetime of equipment. Consumers will be given far better information about the whole life cost and environmental impact of goods and services. There will be incentives to consider whole life ownership and the suppliers will have to respond accordingly. The new procurement standard published April this year; ISO 20400:2017 - Sustainable procurement – Guidance indicates the increasing importance of the purchasing as a key activity in improving productivity and sustainability. Via Pneurop BCAS inputs to regulation, Directives being mandatory. In another separate but related aspect of the Technical Officer role, BCAS is deeply involved in the international standards world, where it represents its members and the industry as a whole, on a number of ISO (International Standards Organisation) committees. BCAS achieves this via BSi British Standards Institute. ISO was founded on the question: “What’s the best way of doing this?” There are economic benefits for manufacturers and business to standardise. Furthermore consumers can be confident that their products are: safe, reliable and of good quality. International Standards International standards are generally voluntary, though they may be cited in certain regulations as mandatory to fulfil compliance with that regulation. Each of the Technical committees (TCs) is responsible for the maintenance of existing standards to ensure their relevance and usability. They are also responsible for the development of new standards to meet changing market needs. It is important that a range of stakeholders take part in standards development, i.e. end users as well as the usual experts and manufacturers. Within the compressors sub-committee, The past 12 months has seen the continuation of BCAS participation in international standards and also the Pneurop arena on the European side. Tim Preece, BCAS Technical Officer, reports. Products’ life-cycle stages