BCF joins EEF to help ensure future for the UK coatings industry

The British Coatings Federation (BCF) has become an affiliate partner of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, in a bid to secure a competitive future for the industry and to ensure that the voice of the coatings sector is heard by senior policy makers and key decision-makers in government.

The move comes at a pivotal time for the coatings sector, as the Prime Minister has confirmed that Article 50 was triggered on March 29. According to a recent survey, 75% of coatings companies said they see Brexit as a risk rather than an opportunity, due to concerns around the impact of leaving the single market and regulatory equivalence, particularly in regards to the REACH regulation.

The BCF’s affiliate partnership with EEF will allow BCF members to feed their concerns through new channels, enabling a high-level voice for the sector in the run-up to Brexit. Tom Bowtell, CE of the BCF said: "At the BCF we are keen to make sure the UK is an attractive place to manufacture and look forward to working with EEF towards our shared vision. We have common concerns with EEF and its membership about the future of chemical regulations once the UK has left the EU. Now more than ever, it is critical for the coatings sector to shape policy for UK manufacturing and we are keen to collaborate with government via EEF to ensure a good deal for coatings in Brexit negotiations and to make a success of the Industrial Strategy”.