1. The British Coatings
Federation
The British Coatings Federation is the sole Trade Association representing the interests of the decorative, industrial,
powder, printing ink and wallcovering industries - Britain's most visible industry !
The BCF's prime functions are:
•to promote and to protect the interests of its members.
•to encourage the prosperity of the industry.
•to improve the business climate in which the industry operate.
•to provide an interface between the industry and the Government, other industry and non-industry organisations,
the media and the general public.
The BCF:
•provides a forum for coatings and wallcovering manufacturers to discuss issues.
•agrees industry priorities and positions on commercial and regulatory matters.
•encourages industry best practice through the establishment of voluntary standards.
•monitors and anticipates legislative developments and other focuses on the coatings and wallcoverings industry.
•lobbies UK, EC and international authorities to influence legislation and other controls.
•develops and provides guidance and information to manufacturers and to their suppliers and customers on
legislation and other requirements.
•provides industry training programmes and materials and awards qualifications.
•promotes the benefits of the use of coatings and wallcoverings.
•ensures value for money for its entire membership.
Activities are carried out by a team of professional, permanent staff well experienced in the industry. This is
complemented by the enthusiastic and voluntary support and contribution of individuals and companies in
membership, through the BCF’s extensive committee and communication networks.

2. Benefits of membership for Coatings
manufacturers
Regulatory affairs
 Update seminars and early alerts on legislation affecting both your own and your customers’ businesses, with a quarterly technical digest and quarterly newsletter.
 Opportunity to directly input to industry policies and lobbying positions to influence the outcome of legislative proposals. Access to senior government officials at
business functions gives the ability to influence their policies.
 Advice and guidance on regulatory affairs for improved legal compliance, including labelling, health, safety, environment and transport. A ‘Help-Line’ is available for
individual problems.
 Participation in CEPE and EuPIA, the paint, powder and printing ink European Federations, which represent members’ interests opposite EU legislation.
Media representation
 Front-line media contact and representation on industry issues in the UK
Business Improvement
 Regular seminars and workshops designed to enhance the competiveness of the UK coatings sector through the sharing of functional management best practice.
 Buyer Group for indirect spend items
 Insurance services
 Source of legal advice
 Showcase area on BCF’s website for your press releases and other news
 Product listing on BCF’s website
 Directory Entry in BCF’s Annual Handbook
 Links to sources of industry training including the Federation’s own distance learning module programme together with guidance on funding programmes and the
Coatings Operations Apprenticeship training programme in England
 Building a sustainable supply chain
 Coatings Care, a worldwide sustainability programme for improving health, safety and environmental performance. A tool to assist in site auditing is also available.
 Trade opportunity alerts
Performance measurement
 Timely and accurate statistics to improve your market awareness and regular industry sales reports for different market sectors and monthly raw material cost data.
 Annual profitability studies and benchmarking surveys, allowing you to compare your business performance with other similar companies.
 Access to a comprehensive database of information on the members-only section of our website www.coatings.org.uk, including access to Coatings Care Guidance
Online, a portal to all relevant safety, health and environmental legislation and guidance.
Industry and issue management
 Over 40 committees designed to address the impact of regulatory and technology change on industry sectors.
 Networking opportunities through conferences, seminars and committees devoted to market sectors and key issues of common interest.

3. Benefits of membership for suppliers
to the coatings industry
Business Improvement
 Networking opportunities through conferences, seminars and committees devoted to market sectors and key issues of common interest.
 Showcase area on new BCF website for your Press Releases and other news NEW !
 Your Products and Services added to our Product Finder
 An individual annual mailing on your behalf to our Members
 Directory entry in BCF’s Annual Handbook
 Attendance at certain Sector Council meetings
 Insurance services
 A welcome paragraph and contact details in BCF’s newsletter “Covered”, sent to 1,000 contacts in the industry.
 Regular seminars and workshops designed to enhance the competitiveness of the UK coatings sector through the sharing of functional management best practice.
 Source of legal advice
 Links to sources of industry training including the Federation’s own distance learning module programme together with guidance on funding programmes and the
Coatings Operations Apprenticeship training programme in England
 Coatings Care, a worldwide sustainability programme for improving health, safety and environmental performance. A tool to assist in site auditing is also available.
 Trade opportunity alerts
Regulatory affairs
 Update seminars and early alerts on legislation, with a quarterly technical digest and quarterly newsletter.
 Opportunity to directly input to industry policies and lobbying positions to influence the outcome of legislative proposals. Access to senior government officials at
business functions gives the ability to influence their policies.
 Advice and guidance on sustainability for improved legal compliance, including labelling, health, safety, environment and transport. A ‘Help-Line’ is available for
individual problems.
Media representation
 Front-line media contact and main response body for industry issues in the UK
Performance measurement
 Timely and accurate statistics to improve your market awareness and regular industry sales reports for different market sectors and monthly raw material cost data.
 Access to a comprehensive database of information on the members-only section of our website www.coatings.org.uk, including access to Coatings Care Guidance
Online, a portal to all relevant safety, health and environmental legislation and guidance.
Industry and issue management
 Over 40 committees designed to address the impact of regulatory and technology change on industry sectors.