Consultation meetings with MSA

Last Thursday and Friday week, the Consumer and Industrial Goods Directorate of the Malta Standards Authority (CIGD-MSA) held two consultation meetings for members of the FOI, the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, through the Malta Business Bureau (MBB).

Ing. Anthony Camilleri, CIGD-MSA head, as well as other officials from the same MSA directorate, addressed participants at the meetings.

The focus of the first meeting was to brief participants on new directives being discussed and introduced on Motor Vehicles, Machinery, Containers (ILUs), Pre-packaging, ROHS & Eco-Design.

During this meeting, car importers were urged to insist on the most updated Certificates of Conformance (CoC) and to start reducing their demand for cars having air-conditioning operating with HTC134a, or any other gas of similar global warming potential.

Draft directives related to energy using products, as well as EMAS, were also briefly outlined during the meeting.

On Friday, the MSA officials explained the draft regulations on the Inspection of Lifts, Machinery and Pressure Systems, drawn up by the MSA, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority and the Malta Resources Authority.

These regulations, which will apply to all lifts, machinery and pressure systems used in a workplace as well as lifts, LPG installations and certain machinery installed in a condominium or domestic residence, introduce requirements for upgrading existing lift installations, machinery and pressure systems to reasonable and practicable standards of safety and to carry out periodic inspections and maintenance on lifts, machinery and pressure systems.

Following Mr Camilleri's presentation, participants raised queries and comments relating to notifying Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs); the lack of engineers for required inspections; categories of machinery; and the lack of local competence in specific areas.

Throughout the meeting, although participants agreed to the overall purpose of these regulations in view of safeguarding the interests of consumers (be they households or firms), the authorities were urged not to increase the already high level of bureaucratic procedures; involve private sector when drawing up the guidelines to these regulations; and perform an audit exercise of the current situation of lifts, machinery and pressure systems prior to finalising these regulations.

There was also a general plea not to burden industrialists with any more costs.