Industry welcomes extension of dual running for British and Euro standards

Jim Preece from Alarmline Security Systems in Boston said the plan to extend the dual running of PD 6662 and British Standards until 1 October 2005 was a good idea.

“At least it’s giving us a bit more time, rather than hitting us straight away,” he said.

“The problem for us has been that the European standard has been bandied about for so long – at least now we know when it’s going to happen. It gives us time to study the paperwork and be prepared.”

The decision came as a result of talks between the British Security Industry Association, the Association of British Insurers, the National Security Inspectorate and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board, and has been approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

BSIA technical director Alex Carmichael said security companies had valid concerns about introducing EN 50131-1 without allowing them enough time to prepare.

“The European standard was incomplete, as it relied too heavily upon other standards, which are yet to be published. It was estimated that the premature introduction of the standard would cost large manufacturers £1.5 million, and even the smaller manufacturers £100,000 – costs which might have had to be passed on to the customer.

“The idea of dual running seemed the only logical solution to the problem. The efforts made to ensure a sensible implementation of this standard should enable a much smoother conversion.

“This, in turn, will benefit end-users, as they will be assured that they are buying goods that are manufactured and installed to recognised standards throughout the transitional period.”

The British Standards Institution published PD 6662 at the end of August to integrate the British and European standards.