Tackling issues for food logistics

Its purpose is to ‘Promote excellence in food and drink logistics’ and it does this by providing support and advice on cost efficiencies, environmental impact and sustainability, good business practice and legislation.  It also generates new business and networking opportunities, and through the organisation’s profile with Government and local boroughs, academia and other allied trade bodies, it ensures that the industry's interests are represented at the highest levels.
The Federation covers the whole temperature controlled storage and distribution industry, from frozen to ambient.  With its main members from the food and drink storage and distribution sector, the FSDF also has retail, foodservice and wholesaler membership and Associate members who supply a wide range of equipment, vehicles and support services. 

LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE INDUSTRY 
As the Food Logistics industry is subject to stringent controls and legislation, the FSDF supports its members with professional advice and assistance on Food Safety, Health and Safety, Transport Regulations and a host of other complex legislative areas. This is delivered through specialist advisory groups and established two-way working relationships with relevant academic research institutions and Government Departments such as BEIS (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy), DEFRA and Department for Transport. 

One key management area is Health & Safety and any changes to guidance, rules and regulations. All businesses need not only to be informed, but also have a full understanding of what the changes are, how it will affect their business processes and their employees. The experienced team at FSDF works closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and is a member of the Logistics Strategy Forum. This is the steering group for the Transport and Logistics Sector. With the benefit of close contacts and relationships forged with the HSE, the FSDF team has a clear understanding of the issues, current rules and regulations and impending new obligations. Guides and blogs are produced to disseminate any relevant information and seminars and conferences are organised to ensure its members are educated on any changes. 

FSDF’s Codes of Practice are developed by members of the Federation’s specialist committees, and are made available to members to ensure that they are fully aware of their legal obligations. This enables them to avoid any fines, penalties or enforcement notices which could arise.

Current guidance includes: 
    •    Material Handling Safety Guide
    •    Loading Bay Safety Guide
    •    Fork Lift Truck Training and Supervision 
    •    Accident Management and RIDDOR 
    •    Working at Heights in Cold stores
    •    Manual Handling 
    •    Safe Management of Ammonia Refrigeration Plants
    •    DSEAR 2002 Guide 
    •    Legionnaire’s Disease
    •    Energy Efficiency 
    •    Business Continuity Planning
Currently under development is a new guide for Working at Heights on Mobile Refrigeration in collaboration with the British Frozen Food Association.

PRIMARY AUTHORITY PARTNERSHIP (PAP)
FSDF is one of the first trade associations to have established a Primary Authority Partnership; a Government initiative to simplify the regulation and enforcement processes at local authority level. The FSDF Partnership with Slough Borough Council tackles the key compliance issues concerning members’ businesses. The development of Assured Guidance and Compliance Advice encourages collaboration and reduces associated risks and costs of non-compliance. All FSDF members are automatically enrolled into the PAP agreement, which provides uniformity of regulation across England and Wales and a clear definition of the law, as it should be applied.

AN INFORMED GLOBAL VOICE
FSDF provides expert advice and guidance to its members on issues that affect the industry and their businesses. The Federation is represented on DEFRA and Department for Transport industry committees and the BEIS Regulatory Quality Business Reference Panel. The FSDF CEO interacts with his colleagues in other trade associations, such as the British Frozen Food Federation, the Food and Drink Federation, the British Retail Consortium, and the Fork Lift Truck Association. 

FSDF has global reach, provided by an important affiliate partnership with the Global Cold Chain Alliance, which incorporates the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses, and the World Food Logistics Organisation.  The Federation is also a key member of the European Cold Storage and Logistics Association. If you would like to know more about FSDF and the issues they are currently addressing, please contact the team on 0118 988 4468 or email [email protected]

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