AEPMA is busy working on its new Codes of Practice documents and is pleased to release its updated Code of Practice for Prior to Purchase Specialist Timber Pest Inspections.
Spring has arrived and with the warmer weather, the property market heats up as well. For pest managers this means an increase in pest inspections, for those either looking to buy or sell a property.
AEPMA has worked tirelessly over the winter months on our Codes of Practice to aid both pest managers and consumers in all aspects of termite management. In the first instance we have reviewed our Code of Practice for Prior to Purchase Specialist Timber Pest Inspections and have released a new edition on the AEPMA website.
As you may be aware, AEPMA has also been working on two new Codes of Practice on termite management: one that deals with termite management during construction, the other for termite management of existing buildings. After much consultation with technical experts from across the industry, these Codes are finally completed and are available now on the AEPMA website.
A new feature of these Codes is that AEPMA has sought and recently been granted authorisation by the ACCC. What does this mean for pest managers?
The Codes set out industry standards of conduct. They are guidelines for fair dealing between pest managers and their customers and they outline what a customer can expect from a pest management company when he or she agrees to engage its services.
The ACCC recognised that by abiding by the standards set out in the Codes, pest managers who chose to be bound by the codes were also required to meet specific levels of practical experience and education in termite management practices in order to become signatories to the Codes.
AEPMA has recently written to all members asking if they would be interested in becoming signatories to these new Codes. The Codes are voluntary and any pest manager (member or non-member) who signs up to them will have a valuable point of difference with which to market their business. Unlike Standards Australia, the Codes are freely available to customers and provide a transparent dispute resolution process for both pest managers and their clients, if necessary. Pest Managers who undertake work under the Codes of Practice will also be listed on the AEPMA website.
AEPMA continues to drive this movement forward and is working on other Codes of Practice, specifically a Code of Practice in Rodent Control, which is due for release shortly, and as mentioned in last month’s edition, a Code of Practice for Training in the Pest Management Industry.
As you may be aware, the first FAOPMA-Pest Summit Conference and Exhibition will be held in Chang Mai, Thailand later this year. I encourage you all to attend this special event; registrations can be make via our national office.
Finally, don’t forget to save the date for the AEPMA Conference in 2018. It will be held at the Star Gold Coast between 19-21 September. Formerly Jupiter’s Casino, this newly renovated venue promises to provide a spectacular backdrop for yet another memorable AEPMA event.
As always, I look forward to reporting on the progress of things happening at AEPMA in the next issue.
I wish you all the best and trust all is going well within your business.
Vasili Tsoutouras,
AEPMA President
