This year the British Measurement and Testing Association (BMTA) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Established as an independent representative of the needs of a wide range of testing and measurement equipment and service providers, today the association comprises nearly 100 member companies representing around 500 UKAS accredited laboratories.
Acting as a conduit between Government departments such as BIS and national bodies like UKAS, BSI and the membership, the BMTA provides a vital link between governance and practicality. The association’s president and chief executive, Dr Jeff Llewellyn, is a member of the UKAS Policy Advisory Council, helping to define new and amended policies. This helps BMTA’s aim of disseminating up-to-date information on measurement methods and techniques.
Every few years BMTA carries out a survey to establish what its members’ thoughts are on UKAS’ services, with constructive feedback providing an opportunity for the two bodies to work positively together. For the BIS the association provides guidance on training for the industry. BMTA is also the UK representative of EUROLAB, the umbrella body for ‘like-minded’ associations across Europe. Based in Brussels, EUROLAB has a number of committees focusing on quality, testing and measurement, making decisions and commenting on European legislation that might affect the BMTA membership.
Recognising the importance of being a part of the big picture and having a strong voice, BMTA’s Jeff Llewellyn is also currently vice president of EUROLAB. In fact, the association has organised two key events for EUROLAB, at the Airbus facility in Filton and on the NPL site in Teddington.
“Members range from one man consultancy services to multisite companies such as Airbus, explains the association’s technical secretary, Peter Russell.
“Many industry sectors are represented within the association, from food and beverage, environmental testing to civil and mechanical engineering, so their needs are diverse and often challenging.”
One of the strengths of the BMTA is its ability to efficiently organise events for members and guests. It brings together like minded individuals from laboratories or testing facilities across the country, providing them with the opportunity to discuss concerns and activities. Although often held purely as association events, there is also an element of collaboration with other leading trade associations, such as GAMBICA representing the automation industry and the GTMA.
One such example is a metrology event focusing on how laboratory staff are trained that is planned to run in Kettering, on 14th October, the day before the GTMA’s Make Measurement Matter 2015 roadshow. Of course the collaboration extends to acting as a stronger single voice to the Government suggesting better training and facilities for those people going in to the measurement business.
Peter Russell concludes: “The regular contact we have with the membership, governing bodies and industry has increased the profile of the BMTA. One of our goals is to promote education and training in the fields of measurement and testing, supporting the future of the membership and we are very much looking forward to the next 25 years.”
BTMA
Tel: 01732 897452
Email: enquiries@bmta.co.uk
www.bmta.co.uk