Latest News (Please login to see full details

DEFRA - TACKLING POOR PERFORMANCE IN THE WASTE SECTOR CONSULTATION REPSONSE - VRA'S VIEW

Responding to the publication of the DEFRA TACKLING POOR PERFORMANCE IN THE WASTE SECTOR consultation response, Chas Ambrose, CEO of the Vehicle Recyclers’ Association (VRA) said: "We are deeply disappointed that Government has, once again, avoided taking decisive and visible action against a sizeable tranche of illegal waste operators, while at the same time increasing the pressure on the same permit holders to ‘dot the i’s & cross the T’s’. This really is a ‘double whammy’ for all legitimate ELV ATFs, further undermining their businesses. Bear in mind that it was more than 3 years ago that VRA provided evidence to the EA that at least 50% of U16 exemptions were being used as cover for illegal vehicle dismantling. Indeed, the EAs own research demonstrated zero compliance with this exemption. We suspect that the same is true of the T9 metal exemption. Our view now is that this announcement means that an overhaul of exemptions has effectively been ‘kicked into the long grass’."

GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION ON TACKLING POOR PERFORMANCE IN THE WASTE SECTOR

Today Government published its response to the consultation on 'tackling poor performance in the waste sector' and introducing a new fixed penalty notice for the household waste duty of care.

ELV DIRECTIVE REVIEW

As revealed in late 2017, the EC is currently reviewing the ELV Directive to see how effective it has been. A public consultation is scheduled for early 2019. Enclosed here is the information we have at the moment. Clearly much will depend on what happens with Brexit but...

VRA ENDORSES SERIOUS ORGANISED WASTE CRIME REVIEW REPORT

The review into “serious and organised” waste crime, ordered by Government in June, was published by Defra on 14th November. The review looked at the government’s approach to tackling waste crime. As a result of our extensive work on ELV-related waste crime, VRA was interviewed as part of this review. The report made 10 recommendations, which are fully supported by VRA – indeed many have also been proposed by VRA in the last 3 years. The recommendations of the review will now be considered and responded to in Defra’s forthcoming Resources and Waste Strategy.

INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING 2019

The International Roundtable on Auto Recycling (IRT) brings together the leading international automotive recycler associations, industry officials, guest speakers and local auto recyclers to discuss the global auto recycling industry. Previous IRT’s in Brussels, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Coffs Harbour, Quebec City, Liverpool, Phoenix, Kushiro, Malacca City, and Niagara Falls have been a catalyst for the global recyclers to share information about emerging technical and regulatory trends, business opportunities, and to showcase local and industry best practices. Held every 18 months the IRT brings the peak national associations to discuss the ever-changing world of auto recycling. The next IRT is scheduled for 2-4 May 2019 in Norfolk, England.

A MESSAGE FROM DVLA

The Government Secure Intranet (GSi) network is being phased out across government. As a result, DVLA will remove '.gsi' from email addresses from Friday 16 November 2018. This change will impact how you deal with the DVLA. You are required to update any records you have, including email addresses and automated forms that use a DVLA email address. As an example, you will need to change these from:

FPP DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH SAY INSURERS

Fire prevention plans (FPPs) and the challenges and changes they are bringing to the waste industry were at the centre of discussions at a Waste Sector Fire Conference this week. Some recyclers said they had faced commercial difficulties complying with stack heights and separation distances. From an insurance perspective however, there were suggestions that they want regulations to go further.

WAMITAB ACCEPTED ONTO THE REGISTER OF APPROVED END POINT ASSESSMENT ORGANISATIONS FOR THE METAL RECYCLING GENERAL OPERATIVE STANDARD

WAMITAB is pleased to announce that they have been accepted onto the Register of Approved End-Point Assessment Organisations to deliver end-point assessment for the Metal Recycling General Operative Standard. “WAMITAB Assessment” will operate as a service of WAMITAB, separate from its activities as an Awarding Organisation. Chris James, Chief Executive Officer for WAMITAB, said: “WAMITAB looks forward to working further with partners in the metals recycling sector whose operatives will benefit from a first class apprenticeship assessed by the industry professionals at WAMITAB.” See the enclosed press release document for more details

REMINDER - HYBRID & ELECTRIC VEHICLES - ON-LINE MEMBER SURVEY

VRA is concerned that ATF members may not be getting enough information and guidance about, and understand the dangers associated with, handling HEVs & their batteries. For this reason, we are asking members to complete this brief survey. We are not asking for any identification; we just want to know how prepared (or not) our members are & what further measures we need to take to assist members. Depending on the results, & if there is sufficient interest, we may organize some training sessions for members early in 2019.

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY CRACKS DOWN ON ILLEGAL CAR BREAKERS IN PORTSMOUTH

This is a project we initiated with the EA last year. It sprang out of some work on illegals we were doing with the local team leader. It's great work.