2. Biz Network OCT 2023 41-74.qxp_Chamberlink 28/09/2023 11:27 Page 58
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
CE safety mark is here to stay The Government has announced the CE safety mark can be used indefinitely in the UK. It had previously stated that manufacturers would have to begin using the UKCA marking system from December 2024, but the intervention means they can continue to use both markings. Businesses had called on the Department for Business and Trade to extend the use of the CE mark as meeting new standards would add unnecessary costs to production, especially as the UKCA mark would not be recognised in the EU. David Pearson (pictured), the Chamber’s director of partnerships and international trade lead, said businesses would “breathe a sigh of relief” amid high inflation forcing costs up across the board. “There are strong benefits for business in retaining the most recognised system for testing and marking of industrial and electrical goods,” he added. “This will save money and grow exports, whereas divergence from the current system would have had a costly impact on investment, trade and ultimately jobs. “Now we must develop processes for regulatory co-operation between the EU and UK, so that businesses can avoid any unnecessary cliff-edges on the introduction of future regulations affecting UK-EU trade in goods.”
New service offers customs rules aid The Chamber has launched a new international trade service to help businesses comply with HMRC’s customs regulations. Customs Audit Compliance Consultancy offers a bespoke service that assesses a company’s compliance and identifies any gaps in procedures in order to head off any issues with HMRC’s customs audit programme, which may involve a visit to a firm’s premises. Checks during any visit include: • Inspecting goods and documents relating to customs and international trade • Asking for information about goods or services a business provides across an international supply chain • Check the company is complying with any customs-related approval, authorisation, registration or licence it holds or has applied for. HMRC places full responsibility on businesses that imports or exports, and expects full awareness and compliance with these responsibilities. To arrange a one-to-one session with a Chamber customs consultant, email internationaltraining@emc-dnl.co.uk
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REGISTER WITH ITOPS The ITOPS qualification is a practical and relevant qualification designed to prove that candidates have the necessary skills to accurately operate procedures in an international trade administration environment. Running over eight half days, delegates will learn how to avoid costly mistakes and improve their international trade procedures. Some previous delegates have saved their employers thousands of pounds. Successful candidates will be awarded the ITOPS qualification. The course is suitable for anyone employed in an international trade environment – whether that of a manufacturer, supplier or freight forwarder. The next ITOPS course begins on 6 November and runs until 18 January from 9am to 12.30pm on each course day. It costs £1,950 + VAT for Chamber members. Register at www.emc-dnl.co.uk/services/international
Trade courses help recycling firm to stay in the lead As the Chamber’s flagship international trade training course returns, Business Network finds out how a business has benefited from enrolling on the International Trade Operations and Procedures (ITOPS) programme. What does your company do? We are part of the wider Ecobat business, which operates across the US and Europe, making us a member of the world’s largest producer of refined lead products used in energy storage solutions and other industrial and commercial applications. Ecobat Darley Dale is Britain’s leading recycler of lead batteries and scrap lead. Alongside our lead pro duction and recycling operations, we reclaim polypropylene and other plastics used in premium polymer solutions. We use state-of-the-art technology and a highly trained workforce to ensure the lead acid batteries we recycle do not harm the environment, employees or the communities in which we work. According to Battery Council International, more than 97% of all battery lead is recycled, and a typical new le ad acid battery contains 60 to 80% recycled lead and plastic. We are proud to be part the world’s best example of safe and sustainable closed-loop recycling. More than 75% of the world’s lead is recycled. What does your international trade operation involve? Ecobat manages shipments of inbound used batteries and scrap lead, which goes full circle to supplying lead ingot and lead bullion back into
the battery market and other industries. Europe is our biggest market aside from domestic, and our key focus from the Darley Dale location. How have the events of the past few years affected your importing and exporting activity? Brexit impacts have increased the administrative complexity of providing smooth and timely delivery to European customers. Other challenges like Covid-19 and the international transportation crisis in 2022 have also impacted our EU supply chain. We have worked closely with our customer partners to mitigate these developments. Much work still needs to be done to overcome Brexit complications. Why did your company want to enrol on the ITOPS course and who took part? Ecobat is an advocate for developing and offering training to its workforce. We have been members of the Chamber for several years. I have attended various courses through this avenue and have found them to be of great benefit to my personal development, team and the wider Ecobat group. I have recently been promoted to customer service manager and have a team of four who report to me. I wanted to know my subject to a high level to enable me to support the vice-