BCC ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2008…..

on the Economic Situation… we alerted a number of Ministers, MPs and MEPs to the consequences of the unfolding economic situation, increasing our effort in this area. Issues raised include the need for correct functioning of the mortgage and housing markets, the early re-establishment of consumer confidence and export credit insurance.

on Energy... our influence through the Energy Intensive Users Group resulted in a very favourable BERR Select Committee report criticising Ofgem’s role and a recognition for the need for a free market for wholesale energy and long-term security of supply.

on Emissions Trading… we gained valuable concessions preserving carbon allowances throughout extended temporary closure in phase II. For phase III, we influenced a consensus approach across the European ceramic industry, lobbying for sensible emission limits and highlighting the need to consider competition issues between sectors where some products gain free carbon allowances and others do not.

on Climate Change Agreements… we gained relaxation of some tough additional targets for 2010 that were being imposed at short notice.

on Environmental Permitting... we canvassed members and provided a sector response to the proposed EC revision of the IPPC Directive. In the UK, we identified shortcomings in proposals for environmental permitting and advanced arguments to preserve in-house recycling of waste materials.

on Environmental Management... following a successful pilot project, we provided a flexible support package to help companies establish an accredited environmental management system.

on Health and Safety... we developed further the Ceramic Industry Health and Safety Pledge, receiving acclaim from the Government for the initiatives undertaken and progress made. Both our own industry and Government targets for improvement in accident performance were surpassed and new targets for improvement in accident prevention were agreed. Industry-specific training courses for quarry managers are now being run.

on Crystalline Silica... We worked with HSE to secure adoption of a proportionate approach to monitoring compliance with the Workplace Exposure Limit. We collated experience from members’ recent HSE inspections to confirm this approach was being implemented.

on Chemicals... We worked with companies, their suppliers and HSE (the UK regulator) to ensure every sector was fully prepared for REACH implementation. Through chairing the Cerame-Unie REACH Working Group, interpretations on the regulation were produced.

on Minerals Planning... We have pressed for arrangements for the implementation of the Mining Waste Directive (MWD) to involve minimal change to existing working methods. We made significant input into the National Minerals Forum’s work affecting supply security.

on Commercial Matters… We organised presentations to clarify procedures for companies in protecting their designs and also taking action and prosecuting counterfeiters, for example, in China. Follow-up professional advice is available at reduced costs to members.

….. AND OUR AIMS FOR 2009

on the Economy… we will continue to raise issues as they arise that are affecting our members’ ability to do business in the rapidly evolving economic situation. We will continue to work with and develop a range of representative channels for this.

on Energy... we will continue to exert every possible pressure to ensure that the European Commission delivers its promised reform of the energy market, and that the UK Government follows through the recommendations of the BERR Select Committee Report.

on Emissions Trading... our major challenge is to achieve satisfactory arrangements for the introduction of Phase III of EU ETS in 2013 so that the ceramic industry is not disadvantaged compared with other industries. We will press for a consistent approach across all EU member states. We will also address concerns about the interaction and overlap between EU ETS, CCA and the new Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme.

on Climate Change Agreements... we will work for a fair methodology and sensible baselines when changing from relative to absolute targets in the extension of the scheme beyond 2010 to 2017. This is important because many companies may have low absolute emissions in 2008-2010 but these will increase significantly as the economy recovers after 2010.

on IPPC... we will review emissions data from companies to enable fact-based discussion of BAT Associated Emission Levels and limits in the review of the IPPC Directive. We will continue to press for UK transposition in line with that in other Member States.

on Health and Safety … the Pledge Board will ensure that future expectations align with the current economic climate, while maintaining field support.

on Employment… BCC will continue to provide advice on all matters relating to employment law and industrial relations and represent those interests of the industry to Government, especially opposite the Working Time Directive.

on Crystalline Silica... we will finalise a common approach to health surveillance. We will continue to defend the industry against the imposition of unwarranted reduced exposure limits and the proposed inclusion of silica in the future revision of the Carcinogens Directive.

on Chemicals... we will work with members, suppliers, regulators and our European partners to ensure that REACH is implemented reasonably without onerous conditions.

on Minerals Planning... we will complete our work on the implementation of the MWD. We will ensure that abstraction licences for dewatering quarries, where introduced, do not jeopardise ongoing operations. And we will continue to challenge any proposed minerals plan that fails to provide for adequate reserves and the safeguarding of future potential reserves against sterilisation.

on Commercial Matters… we will work with rating authorities to achieve satisfactory proposals for the revaluations that will take place in 2010.