Hi all,
First post so please go gentle ;)
I've seen a lot of threads on here concerning the need for greater regulation of the below 3.5t goods vehicle sector and have come across a couple of web pages which give a clue as to how things are progressing.
Firstly, this link is a post from the FTA reporting back from the conference back in March 2014, which formed part of the consultation process.
The second link is from a cpc training company so obviously has a VI in further regulation. However, it details the results of a survey carried out by the old DSA which showed that 56% of respondents were in favour of extending regulation to all who drive as part of their job.
I haven't found any more out on how this EU consultation is proceeding, but there does seem to be appetite from the public, if not so much from our own government and certain trade bodies.
My own view is that regulation would be a positive for us, but these things tend to come about as part of a consultation where the biggest players get to shape the new regulation with an eye on keeping newcomers out. Recently, I was involved with the peer2peer finance industry, where they had a consultation exercise over new FCA regulation. All that happened was that Zopa got the biggest voice and shaped things to cause them least disruption. So, the risk is that the DHL's and Geopost/DPD's of this world will shape any regulation and they are the very ones who favour more 'lifestyle' or as I call them 'pauper' couriers.
A more positive view of the outcome could be that CPC becomes a cataloguing or database exercise, which then opens things up for councils or other agencies to get involved with ensuring best compliance.