The sole Trade Association representing the UK paint, printing ink, powder coatings and wallcoverings manufacturers.
Service & Support
1st January 2011The following services and materials are available to all members of the British Coatings Federation and are, except where otherwise indicated, provided out of membership subscriptions at no extra cost. A fee is charged to cover costs for items such as specialist market statistics, conferences, seminars and special event dinners. Bought-in publications and Certificate in Coatings Technology training materials are also charged for but at preferential rates for members. No charges are made for attendance at regular BCF committee meeting.
1. LOBBYING – influencing legislation, promoting and protecting the interests of the coatings industry through expert representation to UK, European and international government authorities and non-governmental organisations.
2. REGULATORY SUPPORT - information, interpretation and guidance to individual members on specific issues related to coatings manufacture and product uses. Influencing the final outcome of developing legislation.
3. BUSINESS STATISTICS – monthly sales, reports on decorative paints and industrial coatings. Quarterly printing inks sales data and six monthly and annual industry performance assessments. For additional reports and their availability see enclosed statistics leaflet.
4. EXTERNAL RELATIONS – the industry’s link with the media on coatings matters and positive promotion of the industry. Provision of support for members’ own PR activities (policy briefings, promotional material etc).
5. NEWS AND INFORMATION – BCF is in frequent touch with nominated contacts in member companies by post, e-mail, and members-only website area on a wide variety of commercial and technical issues of interest to the industry. Documents are uploaded to the password-protected website area for perusal and instant download as required by members. In addition a monthly email is sent to members giving an up to date report of recent activities (e-xtra).
6. RAW MATERIALS - separate monthly price indices on key raw materials and packaging for the paint sector.
7. CONFERENCES, SEMINARS - Annual Conference and regular business, industry and technical seminars on issues of concern.
8. ACCIDENT STATISTICS - yearly summaries of industry accidents and incidents and analysis and guidance on topics of industry relevance, including reports on individual incidents.
9. COATINGS CARE – membership of the world wide voluntary coatings manufacturing industry programme dedicated to improving standards and performance in health, safety, environmental protection, quality systems and community relations. Provision of specialist UK guidance. Annual collection of Indicators of Performance allowing benchmarking of health, safety and environmental data.
10. STANDARDS - involvement in and awareness of the development of International, European and British standards for the manufacture, end use and application of all coatings.
11. PUBLICATIONS – free and costed material promoting the industry and the benefit of coatings. Authoritative interpretation and advice on legislation and other measures affecting the coatings manufacturing industry and its customers, in the form of guidance, brochures, codes of practice, position statements and recommendations as well as a regular technical bulletin (BCF Digest) covering the latest safety, health and environmental issues as they affect the coatings industry. Annual activities report detailing the work of the BCF and its Committees, Quarterly newsletter “Covered” – news in and around the Federation and its membership.
12. TRAINING – BCF is a partner within the Sector Skills Council for the Process and Manufacturing Sector, which develops strategy for the member industries, and influences UK and regional government, the education system and training providers to deliver what employers need for their business success. BCF, in addition, offers a brokering service for companies to access funding and resources from regional agencies throughout the UK, which over an 18 month period has totalled £1 million. BCF manages industry National Vocational Qualifications, and a Certificate of Coatings Technology delivered via an internet based training system.
13. COMMITTEES – Sector Councils and their sub-groups offer networking for all members active in any market sector. Access also to functional and contact groups dealing with identification of specific issues and positions of relevance to the industry as a whole.
14. LOGOS - use of the BCF and Coatings Care logos on letterheads and literature, showing membership of a trade association which is widely recognised and respected as a professional industry body.
15. CLIMATE CHANGE AGREEMENT – BCF runs a scheme to allow high energy users to obtain a rebate on their energy bills through DECC's (formerly Defra) climate change scheme. Currently under Government rules, this is only open to IPPC sites. (Fee to members of agreement.)
16. RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES - via Government and other funding and through joint industry projects to participate in technical research and investigative work of common interest.
17.INTERNATIONAL AND INDUSTRY NETWORKS – access to committees of the Council of European Paints and Ink Industry (CEPE). Involvement with organisations representing suppliers, end user and like-minded industry sectors providing a network of information and support for the coatings industry.
18.TRADE OPPORTUNITIES – awareness of sales leads and product licensing opportunities advised to the BCF. Listing of members’ products on the BCF members website and their preferential promotion to enquirers.
19.COMPETITIVENESS – involvement in Government aided benchmarking projects aimed at improving business performance and competitiveness.
