I have been asked several times this year for my opinion in regards to trade and trends together with its effects on our industry, and to elaborate a little on the benefits of AESIF membership for new members and for the consumer. Well I feel a little like Anna the soothsayer from the last days of Pompeii, but anyway here we go. Please remember that AESIF remains a not for profit organisation run through membership.
Ok the benefits of AesiF membership will be listed at the bottom of the page and make commonsense. Why the general public should use our members over other installers is slightly different. Running a successful business in today’s market is hard for all professional people, and our industry encompasses skills like manufacturing, engineering, design, development, and installation.
These collective skills provide the roots and foundations for our industry, and represent the very quality and fabric that AesiF membership is ment to embrace. A knowledge and belief between those member Manufactures and Installers, in that they openly bring to the market place the very best of business practises, and in working together help to move the industry forward.
By choosing to use an AesiF member you are helping to maintain standards from within our industry. In these times it is all to easy to cut back on those ever increasing overheads that go with running a successful business, especially when trying to determine expenditure, the future of a business, and where it will ultimately lead. The words we are all looking for is “uncertain times”.
So what about inflation, the Office for National Statistics has said that consumer prices rose by just 0.2 percent last month, taking the annual rate down to 2.3 percent from 2.9 percent in March -- the lowest since January 2008 and below the 2.4 percent expected by analysts. CPI remains above the Bank of England's 2 percent target but policymakers expect further sharp declines in inflation as the economy is on track to shrink at its fastest since World War Two this year, and we are more focussed on reviving growth.
The bigger than expected fall in inflation also marks a change from the record 5.2 percent in September last year, and sterling's slide against major currencies had muted the benefit of cheaper commodities, which are priced in dollars.
Net lending by the major banks totalled just £2.7bn during the month, the lowest figure since March 2001, the British Bankers' Association said. The figure was well down on the revised £3.4bn lent in March.
Having said that in the banking industry there seems to be a air of optimism and confidence coming back into the lending markets between banks and business at street level, which is good news, and lending rates are about as good as it is going to get at this moment, But my advise to business though is to shop around for a good interest rate, remember to make sure you can budget and keep up with the repayments.
The number of mortgages approved for home purchase edged up slightly on the month before, but was still 15.5% down on the previous year. The BBA said that mortgages for house purchase stood at a seasonally adjusted 27,685 compared with 26,671 in March. The average value of the loan stood at £129,100, down from £155,100 in April last year, reflecting the steep house price falls.
The housing market at the moment is slow moving with Mortgage Company’s, and there seems to be a consensus of opinion within this industry that house prices are expected to bottom out around August 09. Property prices at the higher end of the property market could be set to fall by another 2-3% during this time, with mortgage lending starting to improve around September onwards this year.
News update July
It would seem that annalist believe that the housing market has now bottomed out “July 2009” which is good news, and apparently is not expected to fall further. This is good news for home owners, and should instil confidence in the market to now take the initiative to move forwards.
With low interest rates it will be a better for those looking to sell and those looking to purchase property’s, however be warned though, most mortgage borrowing will be set at 75% with lending company’s so it means that the ever illusive deposit is still going to be required.
So it should be good news for the gate automation industry with attention being turned to improvements to properties. Business trends within our industry seem pretty mixed, some members reporting business as usual and other reporting a slowdown in turnover. The South & South West of England looks to be the best area with improvement in trade. The price increases on products that came in this year have now been passed on to installers, due to the low sterling against the euro and prices are expected to remain the same till next year.
I am sure the consumer is aware of the need for security this year with the ever increasing possibility of higher unemployment and its association with crime. Most sensible home owners and business will be looking to review their security arrangements as we go into the shorter daylight hours from September onwards. Having said this the autumn is our industry’s busiest time of year in the run up to Christmas.
Industry training with the Certificate of Competence is now under way for those that seek a qualification, and information is available on the web site for those that are interested. AesiF continues to provide a route to comply with Part P defined Scope for those wishing to be on the Approved Government Register for electrical installation.
John Birkett
Director General AESIF
Transition from the current Machinery Directive 98/37/EC to the revised Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
The Machinery Directive 98/37/EC provides the regulatory basis for the harmonisation of the essential health and safety requirements for machinery at European Union level. Essentially performing a dual function, the Directive not only promotes the free movement of machinery within the Single Market, but also guarantees a high level of protection to EU workers and citizens. Being a "New Approach" Directive, it promotes harmonisation through a combination of mandatory health and safety requirements and voluntary harmonised standards. Such directives apply only to products which are intended to be placed (or put into service) on the EU market for the first time.
Machinery is described in the Directive as "an assembly of linked parts or components, at least one of which moves, with the appropriate actuators, control and power circuits, etc., joined together for a specific application, in particular for the processing, treatment, moving or packaging of a material". The manufacturer is responsible for verifying whether a particular product falls within the scope of the Machinery Directive.
The exact title of our standard is: BS EN13241-1 Industrial commercial garage doors and gates-product standard.
And cover the following:
For all the points, the standard BS EN 13241-1 refers to a series of specific standards
BS EN 12433-1 Industrial commercial and garage doors and gates Terminology - Types of door.
BS EN 12433-2 Industrial commercial and garage doors and gates Terminology - parts of door.
BS EN 12604 Industrial commercial and garage doors and gates Mechanical aspects - Requirements.
BS EN 12605 Industrial commercial and garage doors and gates Mechanical aspects - Test methods.
BS EN 12635 Industrial commercial and garage doors and gates Installation and use.
BS EN 12427 Industrial commercial and garage doors and gates Air permeability - test methods.
BS EN 12444 Industrial commercial and garage doors and gates Resistance to wind load & test cal.
BS EN 12489 Industrial commercial and garage doors and gates Resistance to penetration of water.
Transition from the current Machinery Directive 98/37/EC to the revised Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
1. Question:
Is there a transition period for application of Directive 2006/42/EC?
Answer :
In general, there is no transition period, in the sense of a period during which both the current
Machinery Directive and the new Machinery Directive are applicable (with one exception: there is a transition period until 29th June 2011 for the particular case of portable cartridge-operated fixing and other impact machinery).
However there is a period of adaptation, since the provisions of the Directive 2006/42/EC become applicable on 29th December 2009. During this period, all of the stakeholders concerned will be able to take the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition from the current Directive to the new Directive.
2. Question:
Can manufacturers anticipate application of the new Machinery Directive?
Answer:
Yes and no. Manufacturers can and should anticipate application of Directive 2006/42/EC from a practical and technical point of view, however, from a formal, legal point of view, the Directive cannot be applied before 29th December 2009:
From the practical and technical point of view, manufacturers are encouraged to review their products without delay and adapt them as necessary to take account of the requirements of the new Directive. While machinery placed on the market before 29th December 2009 must continue to comply with Directive 98/37/EC, it can be assumed that a product that complies with the essential requirements of the new Machinery Directive continues to comply with the current Directive.
From the formal, legal point of view, machinery can only be placed on the market with reference to Directive 2006/42/EC as from 29th December 2009.
3. Question:
When shall a manufacturer establish an EC Declaration of conformity according to Directive 2006/42/EC?
Answer:
A manufacturer shall establish an EC Declaration of conformity according to Directive 2006/42/EC for products first placed on the market as from 29th December 2009.
In cases where the manufacturer cannot be certain on what date individual products will be first placed on the market, providing the products concerned comply with both the current and the new Directives, he may establish an EC Declaration of conformity referring to both Directive 98/37/EC and Directive 2006/42/EC. The reference to Directive 98/37/EC should be removed from the EC Declaration of conformity after the 29th December 2009.
4. Question:
Can the current harmonised standards be used to comply with Directive 2006/42/EC?
Answer:
Since there have been some modifications to the essential health and safety requirements set out in Annex I, it cannot be assumed that the current harmonised standards comply fully with Directive 2006/42/EC.
The European Commission is issuing a mandate to CEN and Cenelec to develop the necessary new standards and ensure that the current standards are checked against Directive 2006/42/EC and adapted as necessary. Furthermore, all harmonised standards must include a reference to the new Directive.
The Commission intends to publish a list of harmonised standards supporting Directive 2006/42/EC before the Directive becomes applicable.
5. Question:
When will manufacturers be able to use the new full quality assurance procedure for Annex IV machinery?
Answer:
The Member States will first have to assess, appoint and notify Notified Bodies for the new full quality assurance procedure set out in Annex X of the new Directive. This can be done as soon as Directive 2006/42/EC has been transposed into national law.
As soon as Bodies have been notified for this procedure, they will be able to carry out the necessary audits and inspections and issue approvals of manufacturers’ full quality assurance systems. However, products cannot be placed on the market on the basis of such approvals until Directive 2006/42/EC becomes applicable on 29th December 2009.
6. Question:
Will the existing Notified Bodies be able to carry out EC type-examinations according to Directive 2006/42/EC?
Answer:
Bodies that are notified to carry out EC type-examinations under Directive 98/37/EC will be able to continue to carry out EC type-examinations under Directive 2006/42/EC, providing their notification covers the product categories concerned.
For product categories included in Annex IV of Directive 2006/42/EC that are not listed in Annex IV of Directive 98/37/EC, the Member States will have to notify new Bodies or extend the scope of the notification of existing ones.
7. Question:
Will EC type-examination certificates established according to Directive 98/37/EC remain valid for
Directive 2006/42/EC?
Answer:
Since there have been some modifications to the essential health and safety requirements set out in Annex I, it cannot be assumed that EC type-examination certificates issued according to Directive 98/37/EC remain valid for Directive 2006/42/EC. Furthermore, such certificates must be updated to refer to Directive 2006/42/EC..
Notified Bodies will thus have to review existing EC type-examination certificates to ensure that they remain valid in light of the requirements of the new Directive and update them to refer to Directive 2006/42/EC. Manufacturers are encouraged to request this review without delay in order to avoid a bottleneck in the months preceding December 2009.
Since Directive 2006/42/EC requires EC type-examination certificates to be reviewed every 5 years (see Annex IX, section 9.3), the 5-year period for existing certificates can be counted from the date on which they have been updated according to Directive 2006/42/EC.
8. Question:
What will happen to products certified according to one of the procedures set out in Article 8 (2) (c) of Directive 98/37/EC (Receipt of technical file or Certificate of adequacy to harmonised standards)?
Answer:
The procedures set out in Article 8 (2) (c) of Directive 98/37/EC will no longer exist under Directive 2006/42/EC. As from 29th December 2009, manufacturers of products placed on the market on the basis of these procedures will therefore have to apply one of the procedures set out in Article 12 (3) and (4) of Directive 2006/42/EC.
For products manufactured in accordance with harmonised standards that cover all the relevant health and safety requirements, the manufacturer will be able to certify the conformity of the product himself according to the procedure set out in Article 12 (3) (a) of the Directive.
AesiF contact details:
John@aesif.org.uk
mike.pringle@aesif.org.uk
The AesiF office hours are Mondays & Fridays 9.00 –12 .00 am and 1.00 – 4.00 pm
Phone call on Tuesday – Thursday divert to Mobile contact 07979 595 800
Fax: lines are open Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Emails are collected Monday – Friday available any time 24-7
The AesiF office is closed over the weekend and on bank holidays, AesiF is also closed from the 24th December – 3rd January 2010
