BSN Ezine March 2006

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has launched four new brands for its Business Support Network as a direct result of increases in membership and service offerings.

The Business Support Network consists of companies working to support the Plastics Industry. The Network aims to give executive decision-makers from the plastics industry a competitive advantage by highlighting 'best-in-class' suppliers.

The launch of the new brands will increase both accessibility and visibility of the Business Support Network, assisted by the BPF website which is number one on google.co.uk, under the term "plastics" out of a possible 65 million.

The Business Support Network's four branded segments are:

	Commercial: Risk Management, Finance, Credit Management, Legal, Energy Procurement, Insurance
	Training and Recruitment: Personnel Management, Training, Recruitment
	Research: Innovation, R&D
	Technical and Operations: Process Management, Environmental and Quality Management, Health and Safety

IMSM has opened a new office in Delhi to develop business in one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and the UK's 15th largest export market. Starting with a presence at the PlastIndia Show in February, IMSM will be promoting the benefits of internationally recognised certification systems for ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO27001.

Click here to read more.

From 6 April this year, employers will be required to consult prospective and active scheme members before making certain changes to occupational pension schemes, or to personal pension schemes to which the employer contributes.  The types of changes that must be consulted on include:
- increasing the age at which benefits become payable
- preventing new members joining the scheme
- stopping or reducing employer contributions
- introducing or increasing member contributions

Consultation must last for at least 60 days and must be with trade union or existing employee representatives, if the employer has them, or otherwise with specially elected representatives or, if none are elected, directly with employees.

The rules will come into force gradually, applying to employers with 150 or more employees from 6 April 2006, 100 or more employees from 6 April 2007 and 50 or more employees from 6 April 2008. Employees can complain to the Pensions Regulator about a breach, and the Regulator can issue an improvement notice for the employer to remedy the position.  If the employer fails to do so, the Regulator has power to issue a penalty (to a maximum of GBP 50,000).

Read more from Travers Smith.

According to preliminary data from Eurogas, total natural gas consumption in the EU25 amounted to 492.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) in 2005, an increase of 1.9% compared to 2004.  Eurogas notes that over the last few years natural gas consumption in the EU25 is rising at a steady pace, adding that the latest 1.9% increase is despite the economic slowdown in some countries, increasing oil prices reflected in natural gas prices, and milder weather conditions in North West Europe.  Eurogas attributes the rise in natural gas usage to its environmental benefits, with the main factor cited as the strong increase in power plant demand registered in some countries.

Click here to read more from John Hall Associates.