Our regular columnist Una Riley recently attended the Euralarm SC1 (Standing Committee One) meeting in Venice on behalf of the BSIA.
Prior to my trip I had also attended a BSIA Security Systems South East regional meeting where Geoff Tate, Chief Executive of the SSAIB and the convenor of Working Group 1 (WG1) and member of the BSI GW/1, was presenting on the introduction of EN 50131-1.<br>
Mr Tate explained the structure and decision making process of the European committees to the eager listening crowd. However, what most people wanted to know about was the Date of Withdrawal (DoW) of our National Standards on September 1 and how this had come about? It was enlightening as Mr Tate traced back through the various committees both here and in Europe to explain the reason why this DoW had been introduced. Mr Tate, whose role with the BSI GW/1 is that of representative of the SSAIB, was asked to explain why he did not act on behalf of the entire industry regarding this matter since he fully understood the impractical issues associated with the introduction of EN 50131-1 and the withdrawal of conflicting national standards. He said that he felt that it was not appropriate that he expressed a view on the matter at that time. Personally I disagree; I believe that as the chief executive of the SSAIB and an industry representative it would have been most appropriate. Many BSIA and NSI installers disapproved of the decision by the BSI GW/1 committee to uphold the CENELEC DoW of conflicting national standards and the introduction of EN 50131-1. Manufacturers will have to change software to meet a standard that is not yet finalised. We need the time to revise the standard, produce the equipment and train the installers. The industry can simply not afford to change for change’s sake. There are many who feel that GW/1 does not represent the views of the UK security industry in Europe and they are unhappy about the level of representation on the BSI GW/1. The concern is for the ‘bigger picture’ regarding the launch of European standards and the future damage. The last thing we need is a resistance to embrace the European standards as and when they are ready to be introduced in our country. I understand that the BSI GW/1 convened on February 27 to discuss the conflicts in the standards and how to introduce EN 50131-1 by September. Once again the BSIA and the NSI insisted that GW/1 represent the views of the industry in that we should be developing the way forward in order that the European standards can be implemented as soon as is reasonably possible. Therefore, a DoW should be 12 months after the revised EN 50131-1 is published. GW/1 agreed to table an objection on the practicality of the DoW along with the support of the Germans and Italians. If EN50131-1 is not supported then it will not be implemented. It is ironic that parallel work is going on in Venice regarding the General Assembly for Euralarm and the promotion of its main aims and strategy. As some readers may recall we have the support of Geoffrey Van Orden MEP (interviewed in November issue) who will be the keynote speaker at the General Assembly in Lucerne in May. Whilst we are currently discussing the ‘fast-track route to European standards’ within Euralarm it is vital that we do not damage the opportunity to embrace the European standards in a positive manner in which everyone will welcome the change rather than resent it. I spoke to Tony Lamb the President of Euralarm to expand upon the theme of standardisation and certification. He said: ‘In order to be competitive in the international and European markets our industry has to minimise the time to market, especially in the field of product test and certification. To be successful in the world markets we also need to develop and promote a European Quality Mark that has credibility and respect worldwide. The ultimate goal of the European fire and security industry is a one stop testing and certification procedure for their systems, products and services, based on accepted European standards and reinforced by credible European Quality Mark. The fundamental condition to achieve this goal is to generate an accepted range of European standards and specification as quickly as possible. To force pace of change, Euralarm has opened its doors to individual company members so that the revenue generated can give us the tools to do the job. Industry must also have the influence at Brussels where laws and directives are generated that can either damage or enhance our market. If we are not there looking after our own interests we only have ourselves to blame when we get hit with a nasty bit of legislation. Make no mistake, industry wants European standards; we are putting our backs into getting them as fast as we can. We understand and sympathise with CENELEC in attempting to force the DoW with EN 50131-1, we applaud their motive. However, September 1 is just not practical. Let’s get the standard published and the contradictions clarified and then go hell for leather on the implementation. Give us a year after the publication of -1 and we can do it.’I enquired about the ‘fast-track’ issuing of standards. Tony replied: ‘Currently it takes two to three years to achieve a European standard from a draft document. Using the ‘fast-track’ method a draft document can be published as a technical specification, becoming immediately available for industry to use. The draft document would remain on the CENELEC work program and following the usual process would become a European standard in two to three years, at which time national standards would be withdrawn. The national associations and major industry players in each European country have to agree to adopt and use this methodology.’ Uwe Glock, the Chief Executive of Bosch said: ‘The world is constantly changing and so too is the security market ‘especially the German view. It’s true that in the past German companies have had a traditional and protective view of the market, building ‘Fortress Germany’ behind the walls of the Vds, but it has changed significantly in the past couple of years. The major players like Bosch, Siemens, Novar and others realise they need to expand into the wider world markets with acceptable products and services at realistic prices. To do this effectively we need European standards and a system for ‘one stop shop testing and certification’. We recognise that the national associations have been working hard through Euralarm to achieve these goals and now we can see that we need to put our shoulder to the wheel. To that end Bosch and the other major European security companies are joining Euralarm and helping to provide the resource in money and manpower to achieve our aims. We believe it is vital that the European partnerships to benefit us all as we strive to succeed in the global market place.’From a UK perspective Jeremy Hockham, Chief Executive of Ademco International stated: ‘The UK security market is progressive and vibrant. The players within are striving to succeed as an international level. It is very disappointing that after nearly 20 years we still do not have a finished suite of standards for the security industry. In fact the UK industry had almost given up the process and had become passive in their approach ‘ but now the winds of change are evident! We have realised that the efforts of the BSIA through Euralarm are bearing fruit and offer an exciting glimpse into the future. There is a real will among the Industry to get the job done. And we can see the benefits that will come from the ability to have our products tested and certificated to an accepted European standard just once. Ademco, Coopers and other major players are joining Euralarm as ‘industry members’ in order to add weight in the form of money and manpower to achieve our aims. We are doing this in partnership with competitors throughout Europe as we see the benefits affecting us all and able to enhance our position on the world stage. I would like to encourage all the market players to recognise this important new impetus and that the UK is right behind it. Join with us in quickly finishing the standards work and let us press on with the implementation of one stop shop testing and certification.’ I think that it is evident that there is no resistance to the introduction of European standards within the UK but it is essential that we introduce them in a fit for purpose manner, otherwise we could potentially damage the future bigger picture.
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Uwe Glock CEO Bosch Security:
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Years ago security markets in Europe were nationally organised. Each country had its own national test house and certification body. There was hardly any cross border trade for products and services. This meant, that it was welcome and sufficient to have a national set of standards to be able to do business in the relevant markets. During recent years security markets have changed dramatically. A major result of these new developments is that the major players in these markets have become international. German companies like Siemens and Bosch merged with companies abroad, international companies like Novar or Tyco moved into Germany. These groups moved into wider world markets, which needs internationally acceptable products and services at competitive prices. To do this effectively it needs European specifications and standards and a system for ‘one stop testing and one stop certification’. We recognise that the national associations have been working hard through Euralarm to achieve these goals. But progress is too slow. It needs more effort to get things moving. To that end Bosch and the other major European Security companies are joining Euralarm and helping to provide the resource in money and manpower to achieve our aims. We believe it is vital that the market recognises this new position of the Security Industry in forming pan-European partnerships to benefit us all as we strive to succeed in the global marketplace.
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Gustav Pfister, Head of Business Field Fire, Fire&Security Products, Siemens Building Technologies AG
Due to the small home market, traditionally Swiss companies must expand their business abroad, which means that the products need to be designed for and tested to a wide range of local standards and norms. This generates additional costs in research and development, products, testing and logistics without any obvious benefit to the customer. For this reason Swiss companies over the years were actively engaged in the development of European standards for fire and security products through the appropriate standardisation bodies CEN, CENELC and EURALARM. While for fire products much progress has been made in developing harmonised standards this cannot be said for security products. In addition, in most cases national certifications are still required before a product can be sold in the local market. This obviously contradicts the notion of a pan European market without trade barriers. For years EURALARM, through its members the national associations, has been working towards the goal of ‘one stop testing and certification’ for products sold in the European market. While some progress has been made we are still far from the stated goal. EURALARM simply lacked the funds and manpower to become a recognized player in the appropriate circles in the European Community. Siemens Building Technologies AG therefore is excited about joining EURALARM as an ‘industry member’ a new form of membership – to add weight in money and manpower to achieve the described goals. Achieving these goals will eventually benefit the customer and the fire and security industry as a whole. I encourage all players of the fire and security industry to join this exiting initiative.
