Euro test threat to tanke
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by Derren Hayes • Operators of hazardous goods tankers will have to pay thousands of pounds extra for new vehicles if European proposals on tougher testing standards get the go-ahead.
A number of European countries want all non-pressure tankers, like those used for transporting petrol, to be subject to non-destructive testing on 10% of each vehicle's welds during manufacture.
If the European Committee for Standardisation's CEN plan becomes law it would add an extra £3,000 to the cost of a vehicle, says the Freight Transport Association.
Current standards are adequate, says the FTA. with all welders passing tests to prove their competence and all tanks pressure tested before delivery.
However, if the CEN plan is approved the FTA would prefer
3% of welds to be tested as an alternative.
Geoff Day, FTA deputy manager for road transport law, says: "Many other states are pushing for this change on nonpressure tankers but we don't think it will be an improvement on where we are now. It will have an adverse affect ating costs of UK compa E The FTA is setting uj tanker reference group tanker operators keel date with the large nui technical changes happc the market; contact Ge on 01892 526171.