While everything was prepared to make BAUMA 2010 the visible proof that the construction equipment industry was on its way to recover, the transport break-down caused by the volcano ashes partly spoiled the mood. However, the final overall résumé is positive.

CECE outlines the slow recovery of the European construction equipment industry and offers concrete solutions for the enforcement of market surveillance.

Three brief guidelines for identification of non-compliant excavators, compact excavators and wheel loaders, have been published by CECE on April 2010. They represent some concrete hands-on solutions for market surveillance authorities.

During BAUMA many CECE internal groups held their meetings. Among them, members of the TPC had a short meeting to exchange relevant information on the results of the checks on machines they have been undertaking during the exhibition.

While still the majority of participants regards the current situation as not satisfying, the next 6 months are expected to show an improvement. On average companies expect an increase in their turnover of 7% for 2010. This would bring up the sales to about 65% of the pre-crisis period.

After a difficult period the currently empty distribution pipeline and improving customer demand have led to a considerable increase in ex-factory shipments of earthmoving equipment during the first quarter of 2010. In Europe the situation differs strongly by individual markets.

The 20th Joint Technical Liaison Meeting (JTLM) took place in Salzburg on 22-23 April 2010, with 14 experts for technical regulations and standardisation in the field of construction equipment coming from EU, Japan (CEMA), USA (AEM) and Korea (KOCEMA).

During BAUMA members of Section III agreed on the transfer of responsibilities on the coordination of Section III to CECE secretariat in Brussels.

The EU rules on supply and distribution agreements have been revised. These rules, the so-called block-exemption on vertical restraints, define which contracts between e.g manufacturers and dealers are regarded as having no anticompetitive effect.

Though affected by the severe impediments in European air traffic, CECE’s Statistical Commission meeting was successfully held during BAUMA 2010 on Thursday, 22 April

Ms Valentina Mauri is now part of CECE’s staff.

A standard (French: Norme, German: Norm) is a technical document to be used as a rule, guideline or definition. It is a consensus-built, repeatable way of doing something.