modelbob
04-01-2005, 02:48 PM
MRIA Press Release
EC critical of popular hobby
By Avril Poisson
European affairs reporter
A new report by the European Commission could affect one of the
Britain's more quirky hobbies, model trains.
The EC Enterprise Directorate-General report entitled "Efficiency and
Accountability of European Standardisation under the New Approach"
criticises the UK's use of model train scales which are different to
the rest of Europe.
The EU report accuses UK model train manufacturers of violating
Technical Harmonisation Directives and not conforming to standard
trade descriptions. In one example, the report describes some types of
model train track being marketed as both 'HO' and 'OO' scales
which it says are different sizes.
The report offers a list of 90 recommendations, including passing
legislation if required to bring UK model train manufacturers into
line with Europe.
Another criticism was of small model trains built to 'N' scale.
John Emerson, editor of British Railway Modelling magazine, said
"British 'N' scale is standardised to a scale of 1:148, unlike the
rest of the world which uses a ratio of 1:160, while preserving the
track gauge of 9 mm. The inaccuracy of British 'N' offends some
purists, but that's how it is."
Emerson also said this is why American and European 'HO' scale trains
use a ratio of 1:87 whereas British 'OO' scale trains use a ratio of
1:76, on the same 16.5 mm track gauge.
EC Standardisation Unit spokesman Aout Premier said the situation was
confusing and the UK should meet European standards.
He said that technical harmonisation standards were approved by the
"New Approach" Council Resolution in 1985 and enacted by the European
Commission after consultation with member states.
In Britain, the prominent anti-Europe MP Sir Peter Tapsell called on
the Department of Trade and Industry to reject the European
directives. He said "The nation that invented railways should not
change its unique identity and bow to petty directives which the EU
did not have the power to enforce."
But Premier said the EU can enforce common standards through several
Directives concerning the design, manufacture and marketing of
consumer products.
Premier said that Directive 378/1988 on toy safety and Directive
68/1993 on low-voltage electrical equipment could be applied to model
trains.
If the UK failed to meet standards, Premier said that EU could revoke
the right of UK model manufacturers to display the 'CE' conformity
mark.
The models could then be deemed non-conforming and measures could be
taken to stop their manufacture and make their sale illegal.
Emerson rejected the claims saying "We are not talking about toys. We
are talking about very high quality detailed models."
A spokesman for the Union Européenne des Modélistes Ferroviaires des
Chemins de Fer, a Swiss-based group that represents national
federations of railroad modellers in 18 European countries, said he
hoped the UK would accept the EC standards and adopt European scales.
Model Railroad Industry Association
EC critical of popular hobby
By Avril Poisson
European affairs reporter
A new report by the European Commission could affect one of the
Britain's more quirky hobbies, model trains.
The EC Enterprise Directorate-General report entitled "Efficiency and
Accountability of European Standardisation under the New Approach"
criticises the UK's use of model train scales which are different to
the rest of Europe.
The EU report accuses UK model train manufacturers of violating
Technical Harmonisation Directives and not conforming to standard
trade descriptions. In one example, the report describes some types of
model train track being marketed as both 'HO' and 'OO' scales
which it says are different sizes.
The report offers a list of 90 recommendations, including passing
legislation if required to bring UK model train manufacturers into
line with Europe.
Another criticism was of small model trains built to 'N' scale.
John Emerson, editor of British Railway Modelling magazine, said
"British 'N' scale is standardised to a scale of 1:148, unlike the
rest of the world which uses a ratio of 1:160, while preserving the
track gauge of 9 mm. The inaccuracy of British 'N' offends some
purists, but that's how it is."
Emerson also said this is why American and European 'HO' scale trains
use a ratio of 1:87 whereas British 'OO' scale trains use a ratio of
1:76, on the same 16.5 mm track gauge.
EC Standardisation Unit spokesman Aout Premier said the situation was
confusing and the UK should meet European standards.
He said that technical harmonisation standards were approved by the
"New Approach" Council Resolution in 1985 and enacted by the European
Commission after consultation with member states.
In Britain, the prominent anti-Europe MP Sir Peter Tapsell called on
the Department of Trade and Industry to reject the European
directives. He said "The nation that invented railways should not
change its unique identity and bow to petty directives which the EU
did not have the power to enforce."
But Premier said the EU can enforce common standards through several
Directives concerning the design, manufacture and marketing of
consumer products.
Premier said that Directive 378/1988 on toy safety and Directive
68/1993 on low-voltage electrical equipment could be applied to model
trains.
If the UK failed to meet standards, Premier said that EU could revoke
the right of UK model manufacturers to display the 'CE' conformity
mark.
The models could then be deemed non-conforming and measures could be
taken to stop their manufacture and make their sale illegal.
Emerson rejected the claims saying "We are not talking about toys. We
are talking about very high quality detailed models."
A spokesman for the Union Européenne des Modélistes Ferroviaires des
Chemins de Fer, a Swiss-based group that represents national
federations of railroad modellers in 18 European countries, said he
hoped the UK would accept the EC standards and adopt European scales.
Model Railroad Industry Association