Motion Control editor, Andrew Ashton, was invited to meet with the SAFPA council to get an update on the association’s activities – achievements of 2008 and goals for 2009.
Education and training
The outstanding unit standard for Fluid Power Qualification at National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 2 was registered towards the end of 2008. SAFPA’s education and training working group, which comprises six SAFPA corporate members, is busy drawing up training materials for all the registered unit standards with the assistance of MERSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority). The goal is to have these materials written and approved by mid 2009. Russell Gill of Hydrocraft is driving this initiative.
Members of SAFPA would like to see the development of a Fluid Power Academy, with the goal of producing graduates with a formal fluid power qualification. The idea is in concept phase at the moment and requires end-user industry support.
The US National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) has produced a 30-minute DVD 'Fluid Power: A Force for Change' and has granted SAFPA permission to make copies of this for each member. The programme is a fascinating exploration of the fluid power industry and its positive effects on current and future society, as well as the promise fluid power holds for a rising generation of young engineers looking for exciting and socially-responsible careers. SAFPA is hoping to make this available to tertiary educational institutions.
Hose assembly accreditation scheme
SAFPA believes that there may be as many as 1800 hose assembly machines being operated in South Africa. But there is no common standard of training on the manufacture of these assemblies. To address this problem and improve the quality of locally made hose assemblies, a hose assembly accreditation scheme has been started in the form of a hose assembly certification programme.
ECSA registration
SAFPA has been registered by ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) as a Category C association. ECSA defines a Category C association as one whose membership consists of juristic persons, including sole proprietors, who, subject to the applicable provisions of rule 6, are engaged in carrying out work of an engineering nature. One of the implications of this registration is that members will be eligible for CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points for attendance at suitably structured SAFPA meetings.
Reduction of customs duty
Alfagomma, a SAFPA member, has initiated an application for relief of customs duty on hydraulic hose. Currently, duty of 15% is levied on hydraulic hose imported from all destinations except the European Union, in which case a duty of 5,7% is levied. The rationale for making this application is that there is no hydraulic hose being manufactured in South Africa.
An application for reduction in duty is a complex task since it has to be initiated by a single company. That company then has to make the application to ITAC (International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa), which determines the merit of the application.
The ITAC website (www.itac.org.za/tariff_reduction.htm) describes the ensuing process:
Should the Commission decide that the application justifies further investigation, the application is published in the Government Gazette allowing a period of six weeks for public comments. Comments received are referred to the applicant for his input. If necessary, additional information is also obtained from various sources. A detailed submission containing all information, including comments/objections received, is compiled by the investigating officer and presented to the Commission. The Commission then considers the merit of the application based on customs tariff policy and makes a decision to support or reject the application. A Report containing the findings and recommendations of the Commission is then compiled and submitted to the Minister of Trade and Industry for approval. If the Minister approves, the Minister of Finance is requested to implement the Commission’s recommendations by amending the Customs and Excise Act, 1964.
A consultant has been engaged to assist in this process.
CETOP International Fluid Power Summit
Several SAFPA member companies visited Hannover Faire in April and attended the CETOP (Comité Européen des Transmissions Oléohydrauliques et Pneumatiques – aka European Fluid Power Committee) International Fluid Power Summit meeting on 21 April. We look forward to reporting on the Faire and Summit in a future issue.
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