Possible impacts of Brexit, personnel changes for thyssenkrupp and SVM Associates

Brexit May Pose Difficulties for Manufacturers

Many types of products may only be marketed within the European Economic Area (EEA) if they are provided with a CE mark, but with the deadline approaching for the U.K.’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) — commonly referred to as “Brexit” — questions have arisen about what the coming change will mean for manufacturers of CE-marked products, Liftinstituut noted in a January news release that sources D&F Consulting.

Many types of products may only be traded within the EEA (EU member states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) with a CE marking. The CE mark means the manufacturer certifies its product conforms to the applicable European product directives. The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), EMC Directive (2014/30EU) and Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) are examples of the 30 European product directives requiring CE marking.

The arrangement in Europe is such that these guidelines are published in the member states, which then have a specific period of time to implement it into national law. One example concerns the Machinery Directive, which is incorporated in the Netherlands in the Commodities Act for machinery and in the U.K. in The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations. The fact that products falling under the CE product directives may only be marketed within the EEA if they meet the applicable product directives does not preclude manufacturers outside the EEA from marketing their products. While these products must still meet the relevant product directives, including CE Marking and the EC declaration of conformity, manufacturers outside the EEA have options for marketing CE marked products within it by:

• Appointing an “authorized representative” within the EEA who will assume responsibility for manufacturing. The responsibility for checking whether the products comply with the relevant product directives is thereby assigned to the importer, who is the party within the EEA bringing the product to the market.
• Selling directly to the end user. This entails customs checks, as well as the Health and Safety requirement in accordance with the Work Equipment Directive by the end user.

Liftinstituut said products covered by CE regulations must (demonstrably) comply with the applicable CE regulations when introduced to markets within the EEA. Because the U.K. is accustomed to EC regulations, no major changes are foreseen in terms of impact on trade. The most logical solution would be to enter into a “Mutual Recognition Agreement” between Europe and the U.K. An alternative could be for the U.K. to leave the European Union but remain part of the EEA (as in the case of, for example, Norway and Iceland).

Saunders Named thyssenkrupp Elevator U.K. & Ireland CEO

Stephen Saunders has joined thyssenkrupp Elevator as CEO, U.K. & Ireland. thyssenkrupp describes Saunders as “a senior executive with extensive leadership and industry experience.” Prior to his present role, Saunders held various management positions with KONE, including in service, sales and management of a U.K.-based KONE subsidiary. He studied geography, history and fine art at St. George’s Weybridge. Wishing Saunders the best in his new role, thyssenkrupp said it has “no doubt that he will take us to the next level in this exciting time for the U.K. and Ireland business.”

Craney Joins Team at SVM Associates

SVM Associates, headquartered in Birmingham, U.K., has appointed Colin Craney to its lift and escalator consultancy team. In this role, he supports SVMA’s existing client base and develops new business across the U.K. Specializing in dispute resolution, Craney has 41 years’ industry experience. Prior to joining SVMA, he held field and management positions at Otis, followed by 15 years in consulting and dispute resolution. Craney holds a master’s degree in Lift Engineering from the University of Northampton, together with additional academic and professional qualifications in engineering, law and management. He may be reached at phone 44(0)121 4550868 and email conlin.craney@svma.co.uk.

Seoul OKs Taller Buildings in Redevelopment Plan

The Seoul metropolitan government has approved a revision to a four-year-old redevelopment plan for the Yongsan District that will allow larger, taller buildings than earlier planned, Korea JoongAng Daily reported in January. “The city planning committee passed a plan to build high-rise office and residential buildings in the area north of Sinyongsan Station,” the city government said in a statement. A working blueprint shows two 21-floor residential and commercial complexes, one 32-floor residential and commercial complex, and two office buildings of 26 and 14 floors.

The Yongsan District is a neighborhood in the central part of the South Korean capital. The area poised for development is a 22,277-m2 space near Yongsan Station made up mostly of buildings lower than five stories that are more than 20 years old.

“The plan has been slightly changed in terms of the volume of the buildings, but the plan stands as it was drafted in 2015, which was to include at least 26 public housings,” the city said.

The government released a rendering of the proposed project but noted that a design had not yet been finalized. A firm construction timeline was not given, but the city said that construction “projects of this type” typically take three to four years.