In a win for members of the Construction and Mining Equipment Industry Group (CMEIG), new labelling regulatory exemptions advocated for by the CMEIG Engineering Working Group, are expected to collectively save businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars by removing red tape.

Before the change, CMEIG members were required to affix labels to certain equipment fitted to construction and mining equipment that involved wireless data collection and transmission. Devices included machine entertainment radios, keyless entry systems, wireless datalink and telematics devices, remote control systems, proximity detection systems and more. Led by Convenor Osama (Oz) Ali, the CMEIG Engineering Working Group advocated for members to obtain a labelling requirement exemption.

“Our members were being burdened by this regulation, when the automotive industry, which faced some similar challenges, had been granted an exemption,” Oz said.

As a result of the work undertaken by the Engineering Working Group, together with the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia (TMA) and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Australian OEMs and dealers of most construction and mining equipment who are members of CMEIG are no longer required to label radio equipment to indicate regulatory compliance (to the extent that these requirements and exemptions applied). This is provided they comply with a Code of Practice developed by the CMEIG Engineering Working Group, in conjunction with the TMA. This is a win in CMEIG’s effort to reduce regulatory red tape for members, removing a significant cost burden that had little value to overall safety standards.

This change will save CMEIG members costs associated with the following activities:

  1. One-off drawing and part process changes for each product type/batch
  2. Tooling and process variations to accommodate unique labelling requirements
  3. Software changes where digital labelling is used
  4. Unique requirements in manuals and service literature for Australia
  5. Unique requirements for Australia contributing to mass-manufacturing process inefficiency
  6. Unique record-keeping requirements which may duplicate existing processes
  7. Ongoing and potentially increasing costs, due to the general trend towards connected equipment and technology applications.

“The effort on this issue by the CMEIG Engineering Working Group and the TMA, in consultation with the ACMA has clearly demonstrated the ability of industry to come together with a great outcome,” Oz said.

“We have had other industry groups enquire about how we achieved this and seek advice on how they can replicate our effort – the topic came up at a recent international meeting in South Korea we presented at. Questions came from global industry groups that had found similar labelling requirements in other parts of the world. In Europe, for example, the CECE (Committee for European Construction Equipment) are also engaged with their respective regulators to try and resolve similar issues”.

Oz represented CMEIG at the 28th Annual Construction Equipment Joint Technical Liaison Meeting (JTLM) which brought together more than 60 product safety and compliance specialists from around the globe. Held in Incheon, South Korea in March 2018 and hosted by the Korean Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (KOCEMA), this year’s meeting drew representatives from seven construction equipment trade associations from across the world.

CMEIG was represented in person for the first time where previously papers had been sent. As well as the recent regulatory win, Oz presented on the regulation surrounding Australia and New Zealand’s unique health and safety environment, recognised as amongst the most effective in the world.

The CMEIG Engineering Working Group continues to work behind the scenes for the benefit of CMEIG members. The Engineering Working Group is currently focusing on a number of industry issues and topics. These include:

  • Working with equipment users, manufacturers, importers and suppliers, regional regulators and Standards Australia to harmonise Australian requirements for access systems (ladders, handrails, guardrails, steps, walkways etc.) with the standards used around the world
  • Addressing braking requirements for rubber-tyred earthmoving machinery including requirements for dynamic brake testing
  • Addressing requirements for the use of earthmoving machinery to lift freely suspended loads, as a secondary function associated with the normal application of the equipment
  • Reviewing and updating existing guidance produced by CMEIG for industry
  • Enhancing the lines of communication between the Australian approach and that of the rest of the world to construction and earthmoving machinery technical issues, safety and compliance.

“We are seeing a lot of engagement and interest both within and outside of CMEIG in the activities of the CMEIG Engineering Working Group. We want to continue these efforts to add real value for our CMEIG members, and to industry as a whole on common-industry issues. We intend to share the positive results of these activities going forward. As always, we encourage industry to engage and communicate with us – we are here to help,” said Oz.

The CMEIG Engineering Working Group maintains a repository of position papers, codes of practice and guidance which can be viewed here.

-ENDS-

Further information:
David Birrell – CEO, CMEIG
Ph: 0426 268 432