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[July 2002]
Launch of New Refractories and Industrial Ceramics Representative Body
The British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) announced on 18 July 2002 changes in the structure of representation of refractories and the industrial ceramics sectors in the UK.In October 2002, the BCC will launch a new sector body - the British Refractories & Industrial Ceramics Association (BRICA) - which will oversee the interests of those companies formerly associated both with the Refractories Association of Great Britain and the British Industrial Ceramics Manufacturers' Association. In doing so, the BCC will be creating a new forum in which manufacturers of a broader range of activities associated with the production, supply and installation of refractory and industrial ceramics can have an effective say in the formulation of BCC policy to safeguard and develop their interests.
BCC added that the refractories and industrial ceramics businesses and their related technologies were now regional and/or global. Increased regulation of the industry by the European Commission was often made more restrictive by member states, while key competitors in Japan and the USA worked together to persuade their governments to support trade and mitigate inappropriate legislation.
The industry was, as a result, vulnerable to many external pressures and the European Commission would discuss the related issues only with European representative associations. For this reason it was seen as vital that the UK industry, through BCC (the parent body of BRICA), support Cerame-Unie, the Brussels based European Federation representing manufacturers of all ceramic materials and products. BCC said it was keen to ensure that the related UK sector body was truly representative of the industry. Acknowledging the co-dependence of the raw materials suppliers, manufacturers of product and installation companies, BCC intends to develop a fully integrated sector body, the collective strength of which will exceed the sum of its parts.
Members of BRICA will be a part of the process in which European producers can influence the policies and regulations of the European Commission on trade, employment, research, health & safety, environment etc. For example, Cerame-Unie provides technical advice to discussions between European materials producers and the EC on possible reclassification of hazard and risk for crystalline silica. It is also reviewing future directives on lead and on waste from electrical and electronic equipment. All members of BRICA, said BCC, would benefit fully from the substantial input which BCC contributes to Cerame-Unie activities.
ENDS