ICF POLICY COMMITTEES

ICF policy is developed by each of the committees within the organisation’s structure. ICF committees are comprised of representatives of member companies and each committee meets approximately 4 times per year. Each of the committees are chaired by a member representative. The output of each committee is reviewed by the ICF Council.

ICF committees are the engine room of the federation’s work agenda and harness the expertise which exists within the industry for the sector’s benefit. The committees also offer the opportunity for individuals to learn more about their industry and how it interacts with other industries and society in general.

Membership of ICF policy committees is open to employees of ICF members at all levels and ICF actively promotes participation by members on committees. The work of ICF committees enables the organisation to speak authoritatively and professionally represent the industry when engaging with other stakeholder organisations on the industry’s behalf.

The ICF Planning & Environment Committee develops the organisation’s policy on planning and the environment. The committee promotes industry best practice and represents members views on planning and the environment to Government bodies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and local authorities.

The Planning & Environment Committee has produced the ICF Environmental Code of Practice, the Archaeological Code of Practice and Geological Heritage Guidelines for the Extractive Industry in conjunction with various stakeholder bodies. These publications are important reference documents for industry, policy makers and regulators alike.  The Committee oversees the organisation of the ICF Environmental Awards.

Transport is a key operation within all ICF member companies. The ICF Transport Committee was reformed in 2014 to address issues such as road safety, transport costs and transport regulations. Members of the committee have participated in the organisation of road safety seminars in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority, the Health & Safety Authority and An Garda Siochána. The committee produces policy papers in the area of transport for submission to government and agencies.

The Transport Committee has produced a Drivers Handbook for drivers within the industry and has also produced a Transport Cost Management Tool to assist individual members to manage their transport costs.

The principal objective of the ICF’s Health and Safety Committee is to continuously highlight the importance of health and safety to members and to educate members on best practice to protect employees from the dangers which exist on a daily basis in our members’ locations. The committee organises workshops and seminars and produces safety bulletins on relevant topics. The committee regularly meets with the Health & Safety Authority in order to promote best practice in the industry.

The ICF Health & Safety committee represent the sector on advisory committees within the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Solas and monitors and influences legislation in Health & Safety.

The Concrete Development Group is responsible for co-ordinating the promotion of the industry and its products to other stakeholders in the construction sector and the general public. The committee develops initiatives to promote the use of concrete and aggregates in Ireland’s built infrastructure as well as encourage innovation within the industry and amongst members.

The committee comprises representatives from companies involved in the concrete and cement industries. Representatives of ICF and Cement Manufacturers Ireland (CMI) meet quarterly to identify initiatives aimed at promoting awareness of the key benefits of concrete to influencers in industry, professional bodies, academia and the agricultural sector as well as the general public. The committee also monitors initiatives on promoting concrete and concrete products undertaken by organisations across Europe.

The ICF Technical Committee contributes to the development of standards and guidance for aggregate and concrete products produced by the industry. In addition, the committee is responsible for educating ICF members on developments in product standards and associated guidance. Members of the committee sit on the various stakeholder advisory committees within the National Standards Authority of Ireland. Members of the committee also sit on CEN (the European Standards Authority) advisory panels.

The committee produces educational bulletins on standards for ICF members on a periodic basis and has run a number of Technical Seminars for members to ensure that the industry is fully briefed on developments in the Technical area.

The ICF Business Development Committee is responsible for monitoring developments in the area of payments and legislation governing terms and conditions of sale. In addition, the committee prepares advice and best practice in the areas of credit managements to avoid bad debt in the industry. The committee monitors the availability and cost of credit insurance in the industry and has developed a major certification and traceability initiative aimed at improving customer confidence in the supply chain. The committee has also organised training in credit control and credit forums with the assistance of external expert facilitators.

The ICF HR Forum was formed in 2022 and is comprised of HR managers within our member companies. The Forum meets quarterly to discuss developments in employment law and organises briefings for general ICF membership.