We have today received a letter from the DFT regarding the timescales for implementation of the proposed cat legislation. As you can appreciate, we are unable to offer any firm dates for implementation until the Minister has signed the legislation off. The text contained in the letter is shown below and if you would like a copy of the letter emailing to you, please contact our Marketing Department.

"We are currently considering the comments received from the public consultation exercise and conducting legal checks on the draft regulations. When this is completed the regulations will be submitted to Ministers for consideration. As part of this process we will set out the views of all consultees and options for Ministers to consider as to how to respond to the views expressed and the impact of any changes on other stakeholders. It will then be for the Minister to make a decision.

Unfortunately it is not possible to put a firm timescale on this. If Ministers reach a view relatively quickly, as is usually the case, the regulations could be laid before Parliament in early June and enter onto the statue book before the end of June." Tony Baker, Policy Advisor, DfT

Statement released by Mark Blinston, Sales and Marketing Director

The Government has now confirmed that the proposed legislation will not be implemented on June 1^st despite information being distributed by other manufacturers. The Government has once again confirmed that the consultation recommendations have not yet been passed to the Minister for assessment. The consultation recommendations will include feedback from the market on a sell through period for old stock and the proposal regarding the move from 1/1/01 to 1/3/01 (vehicle registration date that the legislation applies to). 

As soon as an implementation date is announced, BM will inform the market place. It is likely that at least 1 months notification will be given before the legislation comes into force. In the meantime, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Marketing department. 

Statement released by Mark Blinston, Sales and Marketing Director 

Please read below as unless the manufacturers and distributors take action now, it is going to cost the industry huge amounts of resources both logistically and financially. 

As you are all aware, the legislation requiring the Type Approval of all catalytic converters fitted to vehicles first registered from Jan 1st 2001 will shortly be implemented into the UK aftermarket. BM are 100% behind this legislation and have been investing heavily in the approvals for the past 18 months, both for the UK and European markets. Whilst we are supportive of the legislation, currently the UK government and VCA are proposing that no sell through period be accommodated.  We  believe that distributors should be allowed to sell through any stock on their shelves that was purchased prior to the legislation being implemented. Without a sell through period, distributors will be put under financial and logistical pressures at a time when economic uncertainty is already causing difficulties in the UK aftermarket. We, along with the ADF, a number of our customers and other manufacturers are lobbying strongly for a sell through period which would enable distributors to navigate their way through these problems.  

Without a sell through period you can expect to have to retrieve all affected stock from your branches and return them to the manufacturer, if indeed your manufacturer allows you to return them. You will then need to replace this stock with approved products overnight which will be at a significantly higher cost to that you have returned, due to the higher specification that is required for approved cats. We believe that a sell through period will spread the cost by simply replacing a non approved product with an approved version once a sale has been completed. This minimizes the initial outlay at the implementation stage and also prevents the logistical pressures of returning the stock to your supplier, while achieving the aims of the legislation.

It appears that a number of manufacturers and importers are not supporting the idea of a sell through period and are actively opposing the concept. This will absolutely be detrimental to your business in terms of cost and logistics. BM urge you to contact your cat suppliers to ask them if they are supporting your need for a sell through period. Whilst manufacturers may be prepared to take your old stock back, it will still leave you with a significant cost and logistical problem from day one which could be prevented. 

If you would like more information on a sell through period, please feel free to contact us or send your views to us so we can pass them to the ADF, VCA and DFT.  Alternatively you can contact the Department for Transport directly to lodge your concerns about the lack of sell through period.  Contact details are available by clicking on the link below.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/devices/coveringletter

Statement released by Mark Blinston, Sales and Marketing Director

BM have been in regular dialogue with both the DFT and VCA and spoke to both bodies last week. It is still very unclear as to when the legislation is going to be implemented. Whilst the DFT are continuing to work towards a mid June deadline, this is looking less likely all the time. BM have been advised that we will have some news from Lord Adonis in around 2-3 weeks time. It must also be said that the consultation notes have still not been published and the industry is awaiting further information as to whether the legislation will affect all 1/1/01 - fitments or 1/3/01 - vehicle applications. BM appreciate that this is frustrating for all concerned but as soon as there is any further news, you will be informed. In the meantime, BM will continue to work closely with you to ensure that you are ready for any implementation date that is decided.

Statement released by Mark Blinston, Sales & Marketing Director