Trade body urges members to “brace themselves for change”

"Sweeping changes" were focal point of of the IAAF industry briefing

Trade body urges members to “brace themselves for change”
IAAF industry briefing, Coventry.

The latest industry briefing, hosted by the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), took place at Phocas Business Intelligence Software, in Coventry on Thursday, 15 March with ‘sweeping change’ very much at the heart of its agenda.

Members were brought up to speed with all the latest industry developments by IAAF membership development manager Mike Smallbone, who updated attendees on recent lobbying successes regarding the scrapped MOT proposals and Type Approval legislation, highlighting IAAF’s influence in both outcomes.

He also touched upon recent developments across the UK and Europe, where pressure continues to mount on the European Commission to begin work on legislation that introduces an inter-operable, standardised, secure and safe, in-vehicle open telematics platform (OTP).

There was also mention of the YourCarYouChoice campaign, urging delegates to give support and raise awareness to Block Exemption regulations, providing consumers with the freedom to choose where to service their vehicle.

Smallbone then welcomed guest speakers Nona Bowkis from Lawgistics discussing General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which comes into effect on 25 May, and Steve Carter from Train4auto Consultancy, addressing how hybrid electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell technology will revolutionise the future.

Bowkis explained the basic principles of GDPR and some of the consequences that business owners could face if they failed to be GDPR compliant, affirming that although the topic of GDPR was vast and complicated, a fundamental grasp of the process could assist businesses in avoiding falling foul of the law.

This was followed by Carter’s compelling talk on hybrid electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell technology, signalling that the adoption of EVs is closer than most are anticipating, supported by some weighty statistics that powerfully conveyed the monumental changes around the corner for both the aftermarket and motorists alike.

Huge benefits

Smallbone said: “The briefing was extremely well-received and we anticipated the presentation topics would prove incredibly popular, reflected in the fact that all the spaces had been booked up weeks in advance of the event.

“It was clear our members hugely benefited from learning more about GDPR and electric vehicle technology, and the impact both will have on them personally and as part of the aftermarket.

“These briefings are gathering more momentum as we go on; they’re providing real value to members in terms of industry insight.

“We are expecting another highly engaging session and large turnout at the next briefing.”

The next meeting will be hosted by The Turbo Guy in Glasgow on Thursday, 17 May.

Book tickets early by contacting Ann Silvester.

For more information about the IAAF, please contact Mark Field on 07825 410 998, email [email protected], or click “more details” below.

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