Utility Week - authoritative, impartial and essential reading for senior people within utilities, regulators and government
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/449717
utILIty WEEK | 23rd - 29th January 2015 | 23 Operations & Assets into the burn, which Sepa classi- fied as Class D – seriously polluted. Now, 230,000 cubic metres per year of excess wastewater from around 11,000 customers in the Cowdenbeath area will be stored and treated to a sig- nificantly higher standard – the aim is Class A2 – before it is allowed to flow back into the natural environment. The wetland will also provide a habitat for birds, insects and amphibi- ans. In time it will become a mini-eco- system and will add to the diversity of wildlife in the area. If you have an asset or project you would like to see featured in this slot, please send pictures and details of the project to: paul.newton@fav-house.com Pipe up Fareita Udoh C onflict minerals are elements sourced in areas of terrorism or war, such as tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold. They are used in joining pipes, wires, electrodes, lighting, components of substations as well as computers, electronics and phones. Within weeks, the European Union will launch new legislation on guidelines for conflict minerals – requir- ing companies to voluntarily self-certify that they do not use conflict minerals in their products or services. However, in a market survey commissioned by Achil- les of 300 utility buying organisations across the globe, 75 per cent admitted that they didn't have a conflict min- erals policy for their main suppliers. Of those that did, one in four did not carry out basic checks on the details – such as internet research or telephone calls. The US already has strict rules in this area. The EU legislation differs in that it calls for voluntary participa- tion from importers only, but any business that chooses not to take part will be sub- ject to intense scrutiny from consumers and pressure groups. Complying with these laws is no easy task. Supply chains are increasingly globalised. That makes it difficult to gain vis- ibility of who the suppliers are and how they do busi- ness. The survey found that 75 per cent of utilities don't have so much as a policy for their suppliers. Amid ever-increasing scrutiny of utility companies' operations, smart businesses should act now to address the issue before it affects the industry any further. As a starting point, utilities should educate their sup- ply chain about conflict minerals to get their support. Next, they should consider setting up an online portal of information about their suppliers so they can effectively gather, manage and update their data. With an accurate database in place, they can map the supply chain to identify suppliers through all the tiers – and create a more accurate picture of conflict minerals compliance through the supply chain. Dealing with conflict minerals is a significant undertaking but it's also a real opportunity for utility companies to work even smarter, by educating their procurement teams on these global issues too. Utilities oen share the same suppliers. They could easily work together to collect conflict minerals informa- tion about suppliers for the benefit of everyone in the supply chain. Fareita Udoh, account manager, Achilles UVDB New EU rules will require firms to voluntarily self-certify that they do not use "conflict minerals" in their products. "Supply chains are increasingly globalised. That makes it difficult to gain visibility of who the suppliers are and how they do business."