19th December 2006
Code of Conduct for Fire Management on Public Land

As Global warming approaches & due to very serious bushfires in Australia, a new Code of Conduct for Fire Management has been implemented from September 1, 2006 and replaces a previous Code of Practice approved in 1995.

The Code of Conduct for Fire Management on Public Land (Revision 1) provides the overall framework for integrated management of fire and the related activities on public land in Victoria, Australia. The Code is designed to ensure that the response to wildfire and the use of prescribed burning are in accordance with sound environmental guidelines, and assist the achievement of other fire management objectives.

This new Code has been prepared in consultation with the community including a Discussion Paper and a series of Regional Information Sessions, as well as contributions from academics, the forest industry, key stakeholders, fire agencies and catchment management authorities.

The Code review has :

• incorporated up to date fire management science, including the effects of fire on biodiversity
• incorporated integration with fire protection on private land
• addressed some of the recommendations from the inquiry into previous bushfires conducted by the Emergency Services Commissioner

For the Code of Conduct, information gathered from individuals, organizations, public meetings, discussion paper and draft submissions as well as comments from scientists and technical experts, has been analysed and considered in development of a revised document.

The Code of Conduct for Fire Management on Public Land (Revision 1) has completed its approval process and is now available for use. This time frame commenced January 2005 and finalised September 2006.

The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has done similar work involving “due process” illustrated above and should be operative in 2007.

19th November 2006
BICC obtains Government support for Procedure

The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has recently obtained valuable support from several Governments & Institutions including that from (down under) Australia.

A letter received by the BICC from the Federal Minister for Trade the Hon. Ian MacFarlane MP, in relation to issues concerning potential illegal trading practices and the inaccurate description of bearings directing the BICC to Government Authorities.

 Furthermore, the Minister in his letter has requested the involvement of the International Standards Organization ISO for technical assistance and accepted standards for product. Since receiving this letter, the Competition and Consumer Commission ACCC has requested this matter to be fully assessed requiring samples of bearing brands retained in their original packaging for investigation. So far the support from certain Bearing Distributors for obtaining product has been slow & difficult, frustrating the authorities in their investigations.

30th October 2006
Report on Florida USA Official Bearing Conference 3-5 October 2006

The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct (BICC) presented to US Government officials & members of the SAE ACBG including Bearing Manufacturers at Jacksonville Naval depot, the basic role on behavior & ethics that are required in current trading conditions. The global Bearing Industry has moved quickly with the times creating outsourcing from country to country with little or no controls to either branding, country of origin or in some cases no testing in relation to measurement or reporting.

The BICC explained that due to many bearing manufacturing plants located in third world countries, some part owned by western corporations, “known” European & USA brands & distributors are buying complete bearings in bulk without any markings, shipping to their country then etching their own brand, part number & country of origin giving the impression that the product is domestically produced. These bearings are then labeled with the “known” brand glossy packaging and sold to the consumer. Furthermore, there are cases where the third world plant will etch & pack with a fake country of origin at a small cost eliminating the need for a re-badge. The obvious advantages in these methods are the cheap supply, utilizing cheap labor and/or materials that is price driven and in most cases deceiving the end user at the point of sale.

The BICC explained how the Code of Conduct can identify & eliminate bad practices, create tighter controls with corporate governance for Safety & Consumer issues that will prevent Counterfeiting, Gray marketing, and present accreditation to both Bearing Manufacturers and Distributors for compliance.

The BICC has posted to their website www.bearingcode.com a “Definition” page explaining a suggested procedure for argument. Comments & feedback from the SAE ACBG meeting were positive & favorable to present at the next AGM.

Further suggestions from SAE members have resulted with the involvement of the “International Standards Organization” (ISO) and Government controlled “Competition & Consumer Commission” with the Trade Practices Act.

Ian McPherson. October 30, 2006
(The content of this report is not classified & can be published in full without permission)

1st October 2006
Code of Conduct for more Industries & Groups

Over the past 12 months, many Industries & Groups have adopted a Code of Conduct to assist in regulation to prevent bad or faulty practices.

For example, this week the Fashion Industry announced in Milano Italy, a new Code of Conduct requiring all models to produce a medical certificate and, if they are minors, they must show a school certificate & be accompanied by an authorized tutor or parent.

This week the Smash Repair Industry announced by Government, adopted by Law a new Code of Conduct for the insurers & smash repairers. Under the new Code, insurers will have to tell customers if their policies provide a choice of repairer. There are further clauses for implementation.

Also this week, Parliament adopted a new ministerial Code of Conduct that will control parliamentary ethics of former ministers, before taking on employment in areas related to their former portfolio responsibilities.

Finally this week, a new Code of Conduct for primary & secondary Schools was announced after cases of ugly parents assaulting principals, stalking students and abusing teachers are on the rise. The alarming trend has led to calls for more government & police support, and a Code of Conduct for parents.

The BICC states every industry or group, have or will, adopt a Code of Conduct.
It is now time the BEARING INDUSTRY ratifies the Code of Conduct in the interests of all Consumers, Manufacturers & Dealers alike.

21^st September 2006
Government makes Code of Conduct LAW
By Michelle Grattan – “The Age”

The Federal government has decided to proceed at once to a Mandatory Code of Conduct to protect Produce & Consumer. The Minister Peter McGauran, yesterday announced the necessary regulations for the Code of Conduct would be introduced as a “matter of urgent” business.

Negotiations for a Voluntary Code of Conduct were strong rebuffed by primary producers to prevent unscrupulous “wholesalers” exploiting the Consumers, the Markets and Producers.

The new LAW for the Code of Conduct will clarify the responsibilities and obligations of Producers & Wholesale traders, and improve transparency of transactions across the Industry. Horticulturalists can now expect the same standards as “every other small business” 

The BICC believes such a Mandatory Code of Conduct could have been prevented if all parties agreed. However unlike other Voluntary Codes, the Government in there wisdom recognized many discrepancies between the various sections of this Industry and took the necessary precautions to make the Code of Conduct, LAW.

20^th September 2006
Counterfeit MICHELIN Tyres as with Bearings
From “The Farmers & Dealers Journal” – August 2006

Sales representatives from Michelin’s truck tyre division say they have detected copies of Michelin truck tyres being sold on Western Markets.

Michelin says the copies are of the tread patterns of certain Michelin tyres, and claims this represents misuse of Michelin’s expertise intended to trick customers into believing that these copied tyres deliver the same performance as Michelin’s product.

Michelin says it will alert all distributors and dealers to fakes in the market and take legal action against the producers of counterfeit tyres.

The BICC has detected many examples of counterfeit items and the general misuse of wording to gloss over inferior or fake product. Bearing brochures and Bearing packaging are important to the Consumer, however this is NO guarantee the Bearing is authentic.  

14^th September 2006
Code of Conduct Voluntary or Government Mandated ?
By MICHELLE GRATTAN - “The Age” newspaper. 

The National Farmers’ Federation has accused Governments of reneging on its promise about the proposed Code of Conduct to protect consumers & horticulturists.

Governments will discuss with the Industry and a working party will hopefully finalise details, the NFF is seeking to include three major issues and has threatened to withdraw from the process if there demands are not met. The Prime Minister said the Government promised a “Voluntary” Code of Conduct, to be “Mandated” only as a last resort if agreement is not reached.

The Central Markets Association the major distribution point for fresh produce welcomed the plan for an enforceable Code of Conduct, saying it was a “fair and flexible outcome” for industry and small business.

The BICC believes a “voluntary” Code of Conduct is far more acceptable than a Government “mandated” Code, as every Industry should be allowed to self regulate without interference. However without an Industry code of conduct, Governments have a right to make it legislation & compulsory.

12th September 2006
BICC introduces DNA for Bearing identification
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has developed a new quick “fool proof” identification analysis for testing the DNA of all types of Bearings.

This DNA data will provide forensic evidence in reporting the true manufacturing of Bearing “Country of Origin” and can eventually, locate the precise Factory in that country.

BICC believes this DNA reporting to be the first of its kind that will provide legal information to resolve the issues on Counterfeiting, Rebadged or Remarked Bearings. There are other services available from this DNA reporting & is designed to clarify any doubt from the Consumer to Manufacturer.

8^th September 2006
Code of Conduct for the Bed & Linen Industry
The Industry relating to Bed Linen including “Down filled quilts & Pillows” has created a standard regarding statements & claims made about “feather and down” is changing. This Code of Conduct, under the new standard it is no longer possible to claim products contain “100% Down” due to the sorting & cleansing processes used to extract “down” always result in minor inclusions of small soft feathers amongst the “down”.

The Industry is migrating across to the new Code standards that in the short term, requires some changes to PACKAGING and LABELLING so products are no longer represented as “100% Down” to Consumers. The Industry further states - Customers are assured however, in moving across to new Standards that there has been No reduction or change to the quality of the product although some products may not obtain the Codes accreditation.

 A simple message to the Bearing Industry.

25th August 2006
Code of Conduct winner for Investors & Industries
From today's business newspaper "The Age" writes -
Industries & Business around the world complaining about the costs of Codes & headaches of Compliance, are not justified according to Ernst & Young's global chief Mr. Jim Turley and says its turning Investors into winners & Industries into less scandals.
Mr. Turley says "Because regulators around the world had introduced tougher Compliance regimes having come through a cycle where the public outcry over the scandals of four or five years ago drove increases focus on Codes of Conduct."
The Bearing Industry is one International Industry that still ignores Global Compliance sending a message to both Bearing Manufacturer & Distributor alike to fall in line with other Industries & be fully accountable to prevent false & misleading conduct of the post-Enron era

 

21st August 2006
Code of Conduct for Chinese Medics Breached
The Code of Conduct watchdog policing Chinese herbal medicine practitioners & acupuncturists has investigated 100's of complaints over recent years, with dozens been disciplined for fraud, sex offences and other misdeeds.
Poor treatment, misleading or testimonial advertising, infection control, false qualifications, lack of insurance and sexual misconduct were among the claims.
The Code of Conduct Board registrar Debra Gillick stated the Code of Conduct watchdog was committed to protecting the Public and said "Most members were ethical & safe illustrating such a Code of Conduct does work successfully in keeping Practitioners accountable"

 

14th August 2006
BICC make Presentation at SAE USA - Bearing Conference
The "Bearing Industry Code of Conduct" will make a Presentation October 5th 2006 at Jacksonville Florida USA to the public meeting of SAE-ACBG Bearing Conference. Our purpose for this Bearing Conference is to explain to US Officials, how to stop counterfeit bearings, unethical company practices, ensure quality bearings and introduce what the "BICC" can provide to Bearing Manufacturers, Distributors and Customers.
More information about this Conference can be obtained from Ms. Theresa Downing email Theresa.downing@navy.mil or Maureen Lemankiewicz mlemank@sae.org

 

04th August 2006
BOEING recommends vendor marks for BICC
BOEING Aircraft USA has submitted to the BICC for approval, recommendations on how Bearing vendor markings for a Rod End part that is now a Standard procedure at the Boeing Corporation.

 

The two lines are : Manufacturers Name, Cage Code. Manufacturers Part Number, Lot Number. (for Government Standards, the requirements to add a Gov part number inserted somewhere). The BICC approves such a Recommendation by the BOEING Aircraft Corp. Dated : August 4, 2006

 

21st July 2006
Advertising Industry Code of Conduct in public Breach (Click for full article)
Advertising that is simply in bad taste, rather than downright offensive, could be banned when rules governing acceptable standards for commercials are reviewed later this year.

 

21st July 2006
Roche accused of breaching Industry's Code of Conduct (Click for full article)
Swiss drug giant Roche has been accused of breaching the pharmaceutical industry's code of conduct by providing lavish meals to doctors at several of Australia's top restaurants.

11^th July 2006
BICC acknowledges eBearing.com
The BICC has received much support from many organizations in particular that of Mr. Bruce Carr, President of eBearing USA www.ebearing.com

eBearing is the Worlds oldest & most respected News service & general information to the Bearing Industry commanding nearly 200,000 hits per month over the internet. We acknowledge with gratitude eBearings continued efforts in the formation of the Code of Conduct.

10^th July 2006
BICC links with EICC
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct (BICC) has established a link with the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct (EICC) www.eicc.info

The EICC membership includes all major Corporations with the likes of -  Microsoft, hp invent, Intel, IBM, FOXCONN, DELL, Seagate, SOLECTRON, Adobe, CELESTICA, Jabil, SANMINA, SONY,  etc.  

The EICC is regarded a Global leader in Standards & Corporate Governance for the Code of Conduct Guidelines, the BICC is geared the same.