Coatings World - June 2015

BCF Annual Conference
June 2015 www.coatingsworld.com Coatings World | 41

As part of BCF’s strategy to take this initiative nationwide, details of the Minutes Matter campaign have been sent to all 650 MPs, asking for them to nominate a local rural community in their constituency to install a defibrillator in their red phone box. Working with the CHT, a new website www.minutesmat-ter.org.uk has been set up, which recognizes MPs who are successful in getting a village in their constituency involved.

The third launch was of the revised edition of BCF’s techni-
cal manifesto “Driving the Technical Agenda for the Coatings
Industry.” A key role of any trade association is to defend the
interests of its members, and this publication outlines the top-
ics BCF is lobbying on, progress made so far and also future
plans. Key elements of the manifesto include defending critical
substances used in coatings and inks which are not easily sub-
stituted with an alternative – these substances that help coat-
ings perform important functions such as corrosion protection
(chromates), creating a barrier to protect food from the pack-
aging (BPA), preservatives for water based paints (MIT), anti-
skinning agents for solvent based paints (MEKO), chemicals
to make blown vinyl wallpaper (ADCA), fire retardants (boric
acid), marine coatings to protect ship’s hulls (biocides) and ve-
hicle refinish paints (isocyanates).

Feedback has been excellent for this record-breaking Conference, and next year’s is already planned for Thursday, June 23, 2016. CW

The BCF is the representative body for the UK’s £2.8 billion-a-year paint, printing ink, powder coating and wallcovering manufacturing industries. The Federation has over 150 companies in membership. Main benefits of membership include guidance on health, safety and environmental matters, access to industry statistics and to meet on matters of mutual concern within the industry. For more information go to www.coatings.org.uk.