University of Wolverhampton academic cuts through European red tape
PROBLEMS overcoming European product legislation prompted a Walsall engineering company to turn to the University of Wolverhampton for help.
Eccles Foundries supplies manhole covers but it said new European testing requirements were virtually impossible to carry out and therefore threatened its business.
Roger Eccles, managing director of Eccles Foundries, said: “We are affected by a new standard EN124 for manhole covers and were faced with product tests that appear to be practically impossible to carry out on some of our products made from composite materials.”
It turned to the university and Prof Andrew Pollard, from the Faculty of Science & Engineering, reviewed the proposed new testing and supported the firm’s case for an objection to the new procedures.
As a result of his work, Prof Pollard has now been drafted to serve on a new European Technical Committee responsible for setting EN Standards for Construction Products.
“Prof Pollard had a look at the proposed tests, and his review helped make the case for the UK Government to raise formal objections to the new standard. When the opportunity came up, we had no hesitation in recommending that Prof Pollard should have a place on this European Committee,” added Mr Eccles.
Prof Pollard leads the Caparo Innovation Centre at the university, working with a large number of local companies, helping them to innovate new products.
He said: “The university is fully committed to supporting innovative manufacturers in the region, and the work we did for Eccles shows one of the ways we can help local companies.
“Being appointed to the European committee is a great accolade, both personally and for the University of Wolverhampton. I am very pleased to be part of such an influential group.”
The initial review of the standard was paid for through a business support project called IPSS – Innovative Product Support Service. This was part funded by the university and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. With Local Enterprise Partnership support, the IPSS service is set to continue to be offered through to 2018.
