- NEWS
- Economic Roundup
- BEAMA Sustainability Strategy – Important Member Update
- Low Carbon Buildings Programme Changes
- Energy Ratings and Building Efficiency
- Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices Published
- The Commission speaks on “innovation and standards”
- Revision of WEEE Directive
- New look EU Directives and standards update
- Industry Charter To Combat Counterfeiters Signed
- BEAMA Energy Technical Manager
- Quest for the Best - Electrical Industry Awards
- Check your emails!
- CEN’s Conformity Assessment Forum
- CONSULATION UPDATE
- FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Bank of England
Housing equity withdrawal (previously called mortgage equity withdrawal) in the fourth quarter of 2007 totalled £7,281 million, 33% lower compared to the previous quarter and down by 47% on a year earlier. For 2007 as a whole, mortgage equity withdrawal totalled £41,467 million, down 16% on a year earlier. Mortgage equity withdrawal accounted for 3.2% of post-tax income in the fourth quarter, down from 4.8% in the previous quarter.
The latest Bank of England data on lending to individuals reveal that:
- Total net lending to individuals rose by £9.8 billion or 0.7% in February, £1.5 billion stronger than the increase in January and £1 billion weaker than the increase in February 2007.
- Secured lending on dwellings increased by £7.4 billion or 0.6% in February, but did not change from January and £26 billion weaker than the increase in February 2007. Besides, the twelve-month growth rate slowed to 9.4%.
- The number of loans approved for house purchase was 73,000 in February, 1% down on January, and 39% down on a year earlier. Approvals in the three months to February were also down by 39% compared to a year earlier, which leaves prospective mortgage lending at its lowest level for 13 years.
- The number of re-mortgages totaled 111,000 in February, 6% lower than in January and 2% down on a year earlier. The number of re-mortgages in the three months to February was 4% higher than a year earlier.
- Consumer credit grew by £2.4 billion or 1% in February, £1.5 billion stronger than the increase in January and £1.6 billion stronger than the increase in February 2007.
National Statistics
- The seasonally adjusted index of manufacturing output during the three months to January remained unchanged compared to the previous three months, but was slightly higher (0.3%) compared to the same period a year ago.
- The Brent crude oil price averaged 103.28 $/bbl in March 2008, 8.9% higher than the previous month.
- According to the latest CBI monthly Distributive Trades Survey, the volume of retail sales were reported as broadly flat over the year to March. Retailers’ orders placed with suppliers were reduced sharply; the fastest rate for the two years, whereas the volume of stocks was relatively stable. Looking ahead, retailers expect sales to remain unchanged.
Construction
- Builders Merchants’ sales in the three months ended February were 5.1% down compared to a year earlier. The fall was due to mixed and heavy side sales, which fell 5.3% and 5.2%, respectively, compared to a year ago and light side sales also fell 3.3% compared to a year ago.
BEAMA Sustainability Strategy – Important Member Update
The BEAMA sustainability initiative and strategy has been evolving over the last 12 months. Over this time the level of interest from members and stakeholders has gradually increased. In parallel the UK Government and European Commission have announced a wide range of initiatives as part of environmental policies, or influenced by these. These actions have emphasised the importance of BEAMA focussing its activities increasingly in the environment and sustainability areas. They have also changed the basis for discussion between industry and Government – there are now many initiatives that BEAMA is already reacting too, and in reaction providing pro-active advice to Government and agents.
Sustainability white paper
The development of the BEAMA ‘White paper’ is developing with a number of key areas agreed within BEAMA. Timescales have now been extended to allow a full consultation with members, MPs and wider stakeholders on the paper. It was felt that because of the changing Regulatory environment we needed to allow all members and other stakeholders the opportunity to influence the final versions of the paper and ensure ’buy-in’ from the full membership and stakeholders.
The timescales are now:
- Presentation of the White paper outline at the BEAMA board meeting – 30th April
- Final draft version completed and issued to members for approval- 30sth May
- Member and stakeholder evening consultation event 18th June (see forthcoming events)
- Final date for member comments 27th June
- Final version available for members 1st August
- Formal launch 1st October at the BEAMA AGM, and annual lunch
Sustainability Conference
The need for an extended consultation period for the White paper has required BEAMA to postpone the proposed conference and reception event on the 18th June 2008. But this has been replaced by the evening consultation event
Low Carbon Buildings Programme Changes
Homeowners, schools and other community organisations interested in fitting their own green energy systems will from April have even more reasons to take the plunge; Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks announced this week.
An overhaul of the Government's Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP) will see more generous grants for schools and public buildings, while the £10 million support still available to householders will be extended until 2010 for new applications.
And there will be no need to get planning permission to install devices like solar panels, ground and water source heat pumps and biomass systems. Relaxation of the planning rules for micro wind and air source heat pumps is expected to follow shortly once BERR have completed the EU notification process.
Energy Ratings and Building Efficiency
Communities Minister Iain Wright has called on the business community to work together to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings
Buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emission - a higher percentage than road or air traffic. Mr Wright said that if government and business - landlord and tenants, employers and employees - worked together, UK could save 40 million tonnes of carbon by 2020.
Mr Wright was speaking ahead of the next stage in the roll out of energy ratings for buildings when on 6 April large commercial properties and new homes will need an Energy Performance Certificate. However, by October all buildings including small and medium size companies also be affected by the changes in law.
Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices Published
Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices publications have been published by the Department of Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform this week
Energy Trends covers statistics on energy production and consumption, in total and by fuel, and provides an analysis of the year on year changes. The March edition of Energy Trends also includes articles on: "Carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption in the UK", "Electricity transmission across Europe in 2005", and "Renewable energy: Statistics used for the EU 2020 renewables target". Quarterly Energy Prices covers prices to domestic and industrial consumers, prices of oil products and comparisons of international fuel prices.
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=363187&NewsAreaID=2
The Commission speaks on “innovation and standards”
A communication from the Commission to the Council and European Parliament in March spells out what contribution is expected from standardization towards some EU innovation priorities
Sustainable industrial policy - standards to support:
- EUP, measurement of greenhouse gas emissions, introduction of renewable energies, improved energy management and other sustainable conscumption and production goals.
- Lead markets initiative – standards to support the lead market initiative’s anticipatory approach, possibly needing other, faster standards deliverables.
- Public procurement – a call for the use technology-neutral standards where innovation is seen to be hampered currently by a reliance on diverging national standards, in the area of defence for example.
- Integration of ICT in industry and administration – standards encouraging greater use of ICT tools in industry, and in societal applications such as e-identity, e health, etc.
And more.
The Commission is asking for more support from the standardization community in promoting innovation. Among the proposals, it asks the European standards bodies develop less formal standards deliverables to assist innovation.
This will be on many agendas in coming months.
If you would like to be part of this or just be kept more closely informed, and are not already in the BEAMA Envt Contacts Group which assists BEAMA‘s Directives and Standards Policy Committee here, please contact ach@beama.org.uk
New look EU Directives and standards update
The new look BEAMA EU Directives and Standards Update was relaunched last month. Available only to members, it will be issued every two-three months, electronically only. If you have not yet received your copy, please contact your sector director at BEAMA. If you would like further information on any matters raised there, please contact Anne Humberstone at ach@beama.org.uk
Don’t miss it.
New or urgent issues and developments will continue to be reported in E news.
Industry Charter To Combat Counterfeiters Signed
For many years at the forefront in initiatives against producers of anti-counterfeit electrical products, BEAMA has joined forces with the EDA (Electrical Distributors Association), ECA (Electrical Contractors Association) and SELECT (Scotland’s trade association for the electrical, electronics and communications systems industry) to create a Charter in the fight to combat the ‘trade’ in counterfeits, and the proliferation of products failing to comply with the appropriate standards.
At an industry event, the presidents of the four major associations signed-up to the Charter, which commits their members to refuse to trade in counterfeit or non-compliant products. The aim is to drive these dangerous or sub-standard products from the UK market.
The electrical industry sees the Charter as a major move forwards in combating the counterfeiters – a unified front encompassing the associations working together on practical and effective solutions to stem the threat from counterfeit and non-compliant electrical products. Also to control the spread of those products not conforming to recognised standards in the marketplace.
“BEAMA CEO Dave Dossett: “The Charter confirms the electrical products industry’s will to encourage the development within the marketplace of concrete actions between members of all signatories – surveillance and intelligence-led anti-counterfeiting networks, for example. We’re sure other associations will also sign the Charter, and that eventually such a commitment could form part of contract conditions between companies.”
BEAMA Energy Technical Manager
John Parsons has taken on the role of Technical Manager for the Energy sector of BEAMA. This extends his current role as Technical Secretary of BEMCA. John will be taking responsibility for coordination of the technical responses of member associations, covering technical standards, technical content of responses to consultations as well as specific one-off technical documents. John will be working closely with Association Directors to align all technical work with the commercial and marketing objectives of the Associations.
Quest for the Best - Electrical Industry Awards
The categories for the 2008 Electrical Industry Awards ‘The Elies’ have just been announced and BEAMA members are encouraged to enter this years awards program.
The awards, supported by BEAMA, the ECA, and Electrical Times, have been established for more than 15 years, and are amongst the most prestigious and sort after in the industry.
Open to all companies and individuals that have developed new and innovative products, introduced ground breaking initiatives and / or are employing best practice in their sector. Awards are being presented in 18 different categories and have been developed in consultation with BEAMA and are designed to recognise all aspects of the UK’s diverse Electrical sector.
Divided into five main category headings, the awards recognise;
- Innovative new products
- Key industry initiatives
- Outstanding personnel
- Training and Wholesaling
Winning an ‘Elie’ can be a tremendous boost to your business, both in terms of great publicity and staff moral. The final dead line for entries is 4th July 2008, however you are encouraged to get your entries in sooner, rather than wait until the very last minute.
For more information or to request an entry form contact: Electrical Industry Awards on 01689 899170 or visit the web site at www.electricaltimes.co.uk
We advised BEAMA members in January 2007 of the Companies Act requirement to include the same information on external business emails as is put on company headed paper, that is, the registered company name, address, number and place of registration. Company websites must carry the same information and the VAT registration number.
Although this legal requirement has been in force for over a year now, a recent survey found that almost 50% of major retailers failed to include this type of “footer” in marketing emails. While the requirement may seem trivial, the maximum fine for non-compliance if £1000 and from October 2008 an additional fine of £300 can apply for each day non-compliance persists. It would be a sensible precaution to take two minutes to check your email system and websites to ensure that the correct information is displayed.
CEN’s Conformity Assessment Forum
CEN’s project to set up a Forum for Conformity Assessment is moving ahead. The first meeting will be in May. An invitation to join the Forum, as well as the Terms of Reference, will be sent to Orgalime. CENELEC is also invited. CEN CAF will comprise some 30-40 organisations, including the Commission. Individual companies and individual certification bodies will not be invited.
A copy of the final BEAMA response to BERR’s Heat Call for Evidence can be found through this link http://www.beama.org.uk/Userfiles/File/publications/HEAT-Response-v-Final.pdf
Keep a date in your diary for a BEAMA Sustainability Strategy evening consultation event on 18th June 2008. The event will be at Portcullis House, Westminster 6-8pm. More details to follow in the next E News