BCF’s Essential Coatings Campaign Returns to Parliament

On April 23, the British Coatings Federation (BCF) took their Essential Coatings Campaign back to Parliament.

At a drop-in event in Parliament’s Portcullis House over a dozen MPs and their staff came in to learn more about coatings and why they are crucial to the UK economy and society. A number of BCF members were on hand to assist the BCF core team in showing different types of coatings, from decorative to marine and from intumescent coatings to printing inks. Conversations were had covering different benefits of coatings, especially around sustainability, preservation and protection.

Importantly, it was also an opportunity to speak to MPs directly about the key issues affecting the industry. Not the least of these was the need for a proportionate, clear and consistent post-Brexit, UK chemicals regulatory regime, especially vis-à-vis UK REACH, but also how the coatings sector might fit into and benefit a UK industrial strategy.

The Parliamentary room was booked for BCF by Newcastle-under-Lyme MP, Adam Jogee, who also spent time discussing the coatings sector’s needs with BCF members.

Speaking after the event, Tom Bowtell said:

“We launched our Essential Coatings campaign almost 18 months ago in Parliament. Since then, we have met many MPs 1-1 but this is the first time we have been back to make our case to a large number of Parliamentarians at a special event. It was a huge success as we managed to speak to a good number of MPs, many of whom we made contact with for the first time. We hope a number of those MPs will now also visit coatings companies in their constituencies and learn even more about coatings and the vital role they play in the UK economy and wider society.

“We are grateful for Adam Jogee MP for helping us make all the necessary arrangements and to the other MPs who gave up their time to drop-in and speak to us. We will continue to build our Parliamentary profile to ensure more Parliamentarians know about the essential nature of coatings as well as the key issues affecting our sector, such as the need for a resolution to UK REACH.”