Laminates
Decorative materials
Design
Pressure
Sheet materials
Link: BS ISO 4586-7:2018 High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL, HPDL) — Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) Part 7: Classification and specifications for design laminates
Source: BSI Standards
Link: IEC Guide 120:2018 Security aspects. Guidelines for their inclusion in publications
Source: BSI Standards
A Downing Street spokesperson said:
During the Prime Minister’s meeting with Chancellor Merkel in Berlin today, the two leaders held productive and positive talks across a range of topics.
Their talks began with a constructive discussion about the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. The Prime Minister confirmed that the Cabinet would tomorrow consider and decide a substantial way forward, which would enable the pace and intensity of negotiations to increase.
The Prime Minister updated Chancellor Merkel on the latest situation in Amesbury. The two also discussed the upcoming NATO summit, where the Prime Minister said it was vital for all countries to display solidarity and unity.
The Prime Minister also looked forward to welcoming Chancellor Merkel to next week’s Western Balkans summit in London and said the event would send a strong signal of our shared commitment to the region.
Link: Press release: PM meets Chancellor Merkel: 5 July 2018
Source: Gov Press Releases
The Bayeux Tapestry is a step closer to returning to the UK for the first time in almost a thousand years after the Government signed a landmark agreement today.
Following his attendance at the Digital Colloque in Paris, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Matt Hancock signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French Minister of Culture Françoise Nyssen. The agreement is a key milestone in securing the Tapestry’s loan in 2022.
Both countries have agreed to collaborate to broaden international and public understanding of the Tapestry and work towards its full English translation.
The deal sets out a period of cross-Channel cooperation between universities and research institutes, who will consider how to use digital technology to make the Tapestry more accessible to future generations. They will also prepare for its conservation and safe transportation to the UK.
The move will ensure the British public will be able to see one of the world’s major historical artefacts for the first time in more than 900 years.
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Matt Hancock said:
The Bayeux Tapestry is a world treasure and a symbol of the deep ties between Britain and France.
This agreement takes us a step closer to bringing the Tapestry to our shores for the first time in almost a millennium. It also underlines the ongoing commitment from both nations for greater cultural, digital and scientific collaboration now and into the future.
We are incredibly excited about the potential of the loan, to enhance further the bonds that tie us to our neighbours across the water.
The unique 70 metre long tapestry depicts the 1066 Norman Conquest of Britain. It was created in England in the eleventh century, shortly after the Battle of Hastings and has been on display in various locations in France since its completion.
The Tapestry is now part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register and depicts the Battle which saw William the Conqueror take the English throne in 1066.
Its loan forms part of a wider cultural exchange taking place between Britain and France over the next four years and marks a key milestone in the celebration of our shared history.
The Tapestry will come to the UK while its current home, the Bayeux Museum, undergoes refurbishment in 2022. Further details of the exhibition, including exact dates and locations, will be released in due course.
For more information call the DCMS press office: 0207 2112210
Link: Press release: Culture Secretary Matt Hancock confirms next steps for return of Bayeaux Tapestry to the UK
Source: Gov Press Releases
Pharmacies in the UK are being advised to recall all batches of valsartan containing medicines made by Dexcel Pharma Ltd and Accord Healthcare (previously known as Actavis Group) as a precaution, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) has warned today. This follows an urgent investigation in to medicines containing valsartan used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions.
A recall is underway across Europe following recent and emerging information that an impurity has been identified as part of the manufacturing process in a valsartan active substance manufactured at one facility based in China. This facility has supplied the manufacturers with the valsartan active substance. The impurity (N-nitrosodimethylamine), which may have carcinogenic potential, is a result of a change in the manufacturing process. This active substance is used in a number of medicines marketed in Europe.
The European Medicines Agency and other EU regulators are working together to investigate the extent of the issue and any possible impact for patients.
If you are taking any of the affected valsartan products, it is vital that you do not stop taking your medication but you should get in touch with a doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible. Alternative valsartan containing products, that are unaffected by this issue, are available in the UK.
Patient safety is our top priority and we will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
Dr Sam Atkinson, MHRA’s Director of the Inspection, Enforcement and Standards Division said:
People taking valsartan medication affected by this recall are advised to not stop taking their medication, but to speak to their doctor or healthcare professional who can advise on alternative treatment.
We continue to undertake an urgent review of all these products that may pose a low risk to public health.
We will communicate the outcome of our investigations and ensure that any other affected products are recalled.
Our highest priority is to ensure that the medicines you take are safe.
If you are concerned, please speak to your GP, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
We strongly encourage anyone taking Valsartan medicines to report any suspected side effects, to us via our Yellow Card Scheme.
News centre
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Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. For real-time updates including the latest press releases and news statements, see our Twitter channel at https://www.twitter.com/mhrapress
Link: Press release: Blood pressure and heart medication recalled from Pharmacies
Source: Gov Press Releases
Anyone who frequently travels on the A59 between York and Harrogate is likely to have noticed a construction site at Skipbridge, Green Hammerton.
Taking place under the bridge, the Environment Agency is building a new channel to enable river flow meter readings to be taken.
Project manager Oliver Wilson said:
This is one of the Environment Agency’s critical assets for our flood warning service and for managing water resource available for abstraction.
Having an early warning that the Ouse could overtop in York means we can act early to prevent flooding by closing flood gates in the city.
The project involves building a concrete lined channel under the width of the River Nidd.
But building structures in a river channel is no easy feat, so a cofferdam has been built.
One half of the river is dammed off to create a dry working area to enable construction on that side, before the other side is dammed and the new channel structure can be completed.
The construction under the river enables an ultrasonic device attached under the bridge to measure the exact flow of water coming down the Nidd, which joins the Ouse about a mile downstream at Nun Monkton.
There was an existing concrete channel built a number of years ago but due to the design and flow dynamics it created in the river the bed got silted up, causing incorrect flow readings and it not working as an effective gauge station.
The new channel is designed to make sure sediment passes through it and flow readings are accurate.
Mr Wilson added:
Lower river levels have enabled us to make really good progress and we expect the gauge station to be fully functioning this winter.
North Yorkshire County Council’s Highways Department has carried out work on the bridge and road earlier this year and Northern Powergrid also recently installed an electricity line across the bridge.
Link: Press release: ‘Critical asset’ for predicting flooding in York being built
Source: Environment Agency
Select Committee on Intergenerational Fairness and Provision takes evidence on Tuesday 10 July at 11.40am
Link: Resolution Foundation Chair gives evidence to Lords Committee
Source: Parliamentary News
At a speech celebrating the Northern Powerhouse in Newcastle today (Thursday 5 July), the Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark announced a range of measures to place the UK at the forefront of the global shift towards clean growth as part of our Industrial Strategy.
Following a speech by the Prime Minister last month, Greg Clark outlined how the government will deliver the Clean Growth Grand Challenge’s first ‘mission’ to halve the energy use of new buildings by 2030, saving families money.
Building on the momentum of ambitious energy efficiency measures within the public sector, the Secretary of State announced that central government will work towards a more stretching target with a reduction of 43% greenhouse gas emissions by 2019 to 2020 compared to 2009 to 2010 levels, potentially delivering £340 million in savings. We will also be publishing guidance on targets for the wider public and higher education sectors.
Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said:
Our new, ambitious target for reducing emission across our central estate shows how this government is continuing to lead the world and rise to the challenge of tackling climate change. We have made significant progress so far, meeting our previous target 3 years early and saving just over £100 million last financial year as a result.
The potential savings from this can make a big difference across the wider public sector, with the NHS saving £2 billion over the last decade; money that can be put straight back into frontline services where it’s needed most.
We need to revolutionise the way we heat our homes and businesses, to support this, the Business Secretary announced that government will be launching the £18 million Industrial Heat Recovery Support programme with applications invited in the autumn. This is intended to encourage industry to invest in heat recovery technologies, harnessing the power of heat which would otherwise go to waste to help improve the efficiency of industry and reduce costs.
Speaking today, Greg Clark said:
Of the more than £11 trillion investment expected in global power in the next three decades, 86% – is expected to be in low carbon. And by 2040, electric vehicles could make up over half of global car sales, compared to 1% today.
We will be working with businesses to highlight these opportunities during the first ever annual Green GB Week starting on the 15 October.
The Business Secretary also launched the Construction Sector Deal will bring together the construction, manufacturing, energy and digital sectors to deliver innovative approaches that improve productivity in construction and accelerate a shift to building safer, healthier and more affordable places to live and learn that use less energy.
Link: Press release: Government leads energy charge across public sector, saving up to £340 million
Source: Gov Press Releases
