A new trade body is entering the fray of the industrial gas and equipment industry, gasworld can reveal, with the launch of the Gas Valves and Regulators Association (GVARA).
GVARA was formed in Spring 2024, incorporated as GVARA Ltd in the UK as a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee.
“After several exploratory meetings, it was clear that there was sufficient appetite to form a new trade association, to represent the interests of gas valve and regulator manufacturers globally (and other interested parties),” explained Doug Thornton, retired former CEO of the British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) and inaugural President of GVARA.
Thornton will work alongside former GCE executive Tony Peers, who serves as GVARA’s CEO.
Founding members include GCE (UK), Cavagna (Italy), Muller (Denmark), Sherwood Valve (US), VTi (Germany), GASIQ (Sweden) and Harris (Italy).
Thornton told gasworld it is envisaged that ‘several others are ready to join’ and spoke of the objective of the new organisation.
“As with most trade associations, the prime purpose in coming together is to establish a clear and aligned ‘one-voice’ and good rapport with regulatory authorities, Government departments and agencies, as well as other trade bodies and others,” he said, “in order to be in a position to anticipate, interpret and influence potential regulatory and convention changes which may be ‘coming down the track’ towards our industry sector.”
A prime example of such change is ADR, the Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road. ADR is a UN international agreement, which also lays down specifications and test procedures for gas cylinder and their attached equipment.
Other agreements cover Rail (RID) and Air Carriage, with the contents of ADR embodied in many National Carriage of Dangerous Goods regulations.
“In short, GVARA seeks to become the ‘go to place’ for information and advice on our product areas. As a part of becoming that, we will come together to have one voice and agree the key objectives of GVARA, some of which we may publish as guidance,” Thornton added.
The association’s website is currently under construction and should soon be available at www.gvara.org for those seeking further information.
