NEWS

SMDA Update
In an upcoming article for MRW, Labour MP David Hanson has outlined his fears that the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (SMDA) is 'crumbling under pressure'. BMRA shares these concerns, especially in the face of rising metal prices and reports of metal theft, and has repeatedly made these concerns known to Government. While it remains unclear when the Home Office will issue its response to the review of the Act, BMRA awaits the publication of the latest ONS data on Property Crime, due out this month. 

Continuing Competency training
At the beginning of next year, Mayer Environmental will be running a refresher course for technically competent managers whose continuing competence assessment is due for renewal. The training will take place at the BMRA's office. There are currently two dates on offer:

• Wednesday 10 January 2018
• Wednesday 17 January 2018

The final date will depend on which is the most popular. However, if there are enough expressions of interest for both dates, then two sessions will be run. If you are interested in attending this event, please let us know which is your preferred date or if you can attend either date. Simply email Lyn. 

Data Protection Workshop
Members are reminded to book their place at the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) workshop on 28 November as places are now very limited. Mariel Irvine, a solicitor and qualified data protection practitioner will be talking about the changes to the law and what this means for your business. If you would like to attend this event, please contact Sam. Alternatively, click here for more on GDPR.

Level 4 Apprenticeship
Following the success we have seen in building the Level 2 Metal Recycling General Operative Apprenticeship, BMRA is now looking to develop a new, more specific Level 4 Apprenticeship for the industry. However, to move forward with this more advanced, tailored Apprenticeship, we need to ensure there are enough companies who are interested in the scheme. Please contact Antonia by Friday 17 November to let her know if your company is interested in the Apprenticeship and if you are willing to sit on the working group. 

Traffic commissioners call for better brake testing on commercial vehicles
Members should be aware that the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain are warning commercial vehicle operators to improve their approach to brake performance testing. The warning comes because poor brake testing is being found too frequently by enforcement officers during investigations.The regulators say that despite the clear learnings from the Bath manslaughter case, when a 32-tonne truck with faulty brakes killed four people, operators are simply ‘paying lip service’ to brake performance testing. Operators are also not carrying out testing at the required intervals. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness 2014 makes it clear that every safety inspection must include a metered assessment of braking performance of vehicles and trailers. Click here for further information.

Life on the Yard
Joss Francis, the latest member to answer the Life on the Yard questionnaire, has a very famous grandfather as well as a high-octane job. Read more here.  

Meetings held on your behalf:

• EA on radiation
• IFC Fire Trials
• BSSD Public Exposures Consultation Event
• CENELEC TC111X WG6
• Tripartite 
• UKELA
• ICER
• Prosum
• GDPR seminar

If you would like to know more about any of these meetings, please call 01480 455 249

Events

Annual Dinner itinnery
The Annual Dinner on 24 November is again preceded by a Free networking event in the Nine Kings Foyer. The event starts 3.30pm so why not come along to network with guests and clients, while browsing our exhibitors stands with a drink in hand? This will be followed with a drinks reception at 6.30pm with dinner being served at 7.30pm. Please note due to ongoing refurbishment at the hotel there is currently no car park available at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. However, there are various car parks nearby.

Metals Recycling Event

NAEC, Stoneleigh: 11 - 12 July 2018

BMRA is pleased to be supporting Metals Recycling Event (MRE), Europe’s premier event for metals recyclers. This two-day event is the only trade show in Europe specifically dedicated to recyclers and processors of scrap metal, and it is free to attend. Click here for more information.

Did you know that in the Resource Library of the website you can find a host of downloadable copies of legislation such as the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 and the EU Waste Framework Directive? There is also an ever-expanding links page where you can navigate to different Government departments as well as additional guidance? Simply click here and log in to the members’ area.