Standard talks on 'Euro' tanker
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• British tanker manufacturers this week begin a series of meetings which they hope will lead to Europe-wide acceptance of a British-designed standard for road tankers carrying flammable liquids.
The initiative is organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders through its Road Tanker Manufacturers Association, chaired by Alan Stephens of Metalair. The SMMT believes the early start will give the RTMA a clear advantage over other European countries.
"In many areas of industry a European standard will be set," says the smmT, and organisations in EC member countries will jockey for position to get their standard accepted — in this case, the British are pleased to be ahead of the mad scramble, having got in so quickly."
As well as tanker manufacturers, the first meeting on 16 August is supported by the Institute of Petroleum, the Health and Safety Executive, the Department of Transport, the Chemical Industries Association and the British Standards Institution.
Findings will go forward to the 13-member European Committee of Standardisation (CEN) in Brussels and it is expected to be two years before a standard can be established — although RTMA will forward the first draft this year.
The current British-only standard was agreed between the manufacturers, the Institute of Petroleum and the HSE.
Stephens hopes the standard will be used as the model for Europe, "We want to promote the British standard as one that is acceptable to Europe, since there are very few tanker accidents in the UK considering the number on the road," he says. "We want a high-quality pragmatic standard that manufacturers can adhere to and the man on the street feels protected by."
The CEN committee examining the British suggestions will be chaired by David Athersmith of Thompson Tankers, assisted on technical matters by Ian Childerhouse of Crane Fruehauf. The British hope to continue with proposed standards for chemical and powder tankers at a later date.
As well as companies mentioned, RTMA members include Carmichael; Kenning Road Tankers; M&G Tankers and Trailers; Charles Roberts Engineering; Reynolds Boughton (Devon); Ryland Tankers; Simon Glostor Saro; Steventon Engineering; and Torridon Steel.