www.bfpa.co.uk 17 the cost implications of producing alternative materials abundantly clear. Ultimately, we called for a review of the pace at which legislation requires PFAS to be completely phased out in some of the more challenging applications. We were expecting an update from the ECHA to the consultation, this has been delayed due to the overwhelming response from all industry sectors impacted by the proposed changes and from relevant industry associations and individual companies. Rest assured, the BFPA will be closely monitoring this situation and representing the best interests of its members as this develops over the coming months and years. CBAM Another EU regulation coming into play soon and which the UK plans to mirror, albeit at a slightly later date, is CBAM (the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism). It is essentially a climate tariff introduced by the European Union to ensure that products imported into the EU pay a similar carbon price to those made inside the EU. We have an excellent article elsewhere in this yearbook from our colleagues at CAFA (Climate Action for Associations), which explains the scope, implications and indicative timeline for CBAM. But in essence, it will affect organisations importing a defined range of carbon-intensive goods and materials into the EU (and UK) and those exporting to EU member states. At present the CBAM covers high-emitting commodities including electric energy production, cement, aluminium, fertilizers, iron, steel and hydrogen. For those companies affected by CBAM, it will add an administrative burden and, for some, have cost implications. As an association, we have been working with CAFA to ensure we can provide our members with the support and guidance they need to navigate the regulation. We have also been lobbying the Department of Business and Trade to come up with some simple documentation and guidance we can share with members. The latest government documentation is in excess for 80 pages – we need something much easier to understand. So, CBAM is another area we will continue to focus on alongside our partners to ensure we can support our members as they navigate its introduction. Skills The skills gap remains a challenge for most BFPA members and continues to be a significant area of focus for us. I’m delighted to report that the number of individuals who completed a BFPA training course in 2024 has grown once again to over 2,500 from over 360 companies. We have also increased the number of training partners we work with to 29. We have increased our portfolio of courses by introducing the Level 1 Hydraulics Vocational Course and the Level 1 Pneumatics Vocational Course. While we are on schedule to introduce Level 2 courses in both subjects in 2025. In the following pages, my colleague Martin Kingsbury goes into much more detail on the developments and achievements, and I would encourage you to look at his report. You will also be able to read about a new partnership we have developed with an organisation called Impact Futures. This move will see the launch of the BFPA Leadership and Management Academy. To date, the training offered by the BFPA has been centred around practical subjects aimed at the technician and engineering disciplines. This new initiative will enable those working in other departments within our member companies to develop their leadership skills and capabilities from Level 3, which is equivalent to A Level standard, through Level 5, which equates to an undergraduate degree, to Level 7, (subject to Government changes) which is equivalent to a Master’s degree. What’s more, working with Impact Futures enables us to offer this training to our membership completely free of charge thanks to funding available from the Apprenticeship Levy, whether the member has contributed or not. I’m delighted to be able to offer this valuable opportunity to our members, and you can find out more in an article from Impact Futures later in this yearbook. I should also mention the Schools Engagement Resource Pack we produced BRITISH FLUID POWER ASSOCIATION SCHOOLS ENGAGEMENT RESOURCE PACK The Schools Engagement Resource Pack can be downloaded from the BFPA Website.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=