Smith stresses FETA’s role in Brexit talks

UK: FETA’s ongoing efforts to ensure the UK HVACR industry doesn’t lose out in Brexit negotiations dominated chairman John Smith’s speech at yesterday’s annual FETA lunch.

The Beijer Ref UK & Ireland group technical director told over 400 guests at the Brewery in London, yesterday, “We continue to watch with concern how the negotiations and their related compromises are worked through. FETA has continued to work to ensure that our sector’s voice is heard as the myriad details of transitioning out of the EU are worked through.”

With FETA backing efforts to ensure the UK stays within the F-gas regulations and the phase down mechanism, he said the association was continuing to support DEFRA as they consider how best to deal with the “quirks” of the F-gas quota system and  the UK’s ongoing involvement.

With lower GWP A2L refrigerants set to play an increasing role in the phase down, John Smith reminded guests of the guidance documents produced by its A2L refrigerants working group. “The working group will be sharing information and communicating changes and updates as soon as they occur,” he said. “It will also seek to work with standards bodies to ensure any new standards being developed reflect the need for wider usage of such products.”

On that subject John Smith emphasised FETA’s support for the BSI with its aim to stay within the broader European standards system, avoiding conflicting standards being used in the UK and the rest of Europe.

Smith also revealed that FETA had formed a group, led by HEVAC president Nick Howlett to coordinate actions in the area of indoor air quality, an area of increasing interest and concern.

“There is great awareness of outdoor air quality, in other words pollution, but there isn’t even a clear ministerial lead for IAQ,” he said. “We recognise this is a complex issue for any government, extending as it does across a number of areas such as public health as well as building regulations.”