Professional pest management companies, and any business using the services of one, are urged to put pen to paper and sign the CEPA Memorandum of Understanding.
As co-Chair of the CEPA Professionalisation Working Group, BPCA Chief Executive Ian Andrew has been working hard behind the scenes to help produce a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), available in English here .
An MoU is a statement of intent. It’s not legally binding, it’s more about getting one voice heard more effectively.
The aim is to get as many pest control companies and their clients to sign the MoU to say that professional pest management is vital.
"Currently, people or businesses procuring pest control services don't always know what to look for and can end up with a trader with a ladder, unqualified and without the proper insurances if something goes wrong," says Ian.
"We need as many signatures as we can, to build a consensus on what a professional pest management company or technician looks like."
The MoU has already been translated into six different languages and the official signatures will be presented at the CEPA AGM on Friday 11 December 2020.
A section is being created on the CEPA website, where the MoU and a list of signatories will be available.
As well as service providers and service users we will be approaching UK government, the devolved governments and their agencies, seeking support for the MoU.
We make no apology stating that the mark of a professional pest management company is CEPA Certified BS EN 16636.
All our members are audited against the standard and nearly a third of those have sought external validation by Bureau Veritas.
A copy of the MoU will be sent to BPCA members in coming weeks. It would be great to get members and their clients to sign up to this. Tesco already have!
As well as the MoU, the Professionalism Working Group is looking to define what the European standard for a professional pest controller should be.
This will include training, qualifications, CPD and competence. More on this as the work develops.
Despite Brexit, BPCA need to continue to be at the heart of these discussions within the EU, to ensure the UK point of view is heard and influence applied to move things in the right direction.
Ian added: "The BPCA has been instrumental in getting the sector better trained and better qualified but we cannot stand still.
"Professional recognition is a journey not a destination."
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?
If you'd like more information about the Memorandum of Understanding, get in touch.
hello@bpca.org.uk