LEIA is the trade association and advisory body for the lift and escalator industry, formed in 1997 by the merging of two long-standing associations with a history dating back to 1932. With a membership covering some 95% of the lift and escalator industry, LEIA represents a single voice for the sector.
LEIA members supply passenger and goods/service lifts, stair lifts, home lifts, lifting platforms, escalators, passenger conveyors and a range of component parts for such products. LEIA members also undertake the maintenance of over 250,000 products falling within the scope of the Association.
The objectives of LEIA include:
- • Provision of advice on health, safety and standards matters.
- • Determination of skills requirements and the promotion of education and training.
- • Co-operation within the sector and between the sector and its customers and suppliers.
- • Development of the commercial environment.
- • Maintaining the best standards of quality and workmanship.
- • Commitment to high standards
LEIA is proud to hold ISO 9001 certification and, unusually for a trade association, has established such certification as criterion for membership of the association. Certification to ISO 9001 demonstrates that LEIA member companies have the people, the facilities, technical expertise, management systems and track record to undertake work professionally and competently.
Because LEIA requires that certification is achieved through a UKAS accredited body, ISO 9001 assists member companies in satisfying conformity assessment procedures under the Lift Regulations 1997 for the evaluation of technical competence, procedures which are subject to third party annual audits.
Other requirements for membership include: a minimum of three years registration under the Companies Act; provision of three consecutive years of accounts; submission of a written Company Safety Policy; product and third party insurance cover of £5m (minimum) and three sponsors.
LEIA provides information and advice on all industry related statutory requirements and health and safety matters, as well as European and international technical standards. This information is provided through workshops, seminars, reports and other documentation, much of which can be downloaded from the organisation’s website.
The organisation also provides a distance learning course which aims to extend knowledge of lift and escalator engineering. It has been designed by, and for, the lift and escalator industry, growing over many years to include not only general lift technology, but also specialist units covering hydraulic lifts, escalators, electronic control, safety and contract management.
The course was set up in 1983 to address the difficulties created by a lack of lift technology courses, a highly mobile workforce and the demands of changing British and European standards requirements.
LEIA has also worked in collaboration with the British Standards Institution (BSI) to produce recommendations for best practice in the sales, installation and aftercare of personal lifting products. The Code of Practice for Personal Lifting Equipment includes measures directed at the removal or easing of consumer concerns and undesirable trade practices arising within the personal lifting equipment sectors of the lift and escalator business
For more information tel: 020 7935 3013 or visit their website: www.leia.co.uk.
