European flexo-technical players have a new umbrella association that will in future address their common needs. FTA Europe (Brussels / Belgium) was established in February by EFTA Benelux (The Hague / The Netherlands; www.efta.nl), ATF Flexo (Paris / France; www.atf-flexo.com), ATIF (Milan / Italy; www.atif.it), ATEF (Barcelona / Spain; www.graphispack.org) and EFIA (Leeds / UK; www.efia.uk.com).

The main objectives of the new association will be to encourage technical standardisation and the dissemination of standards of practice across European borders, the development of a European curriculum and a certificate for flexo-technical professionals, as well as supporting its member associations by means of advocacy, the collaboration of promotional materials and the development of a technical knowledge resource.

At its inaugural meeting in early February at the offices of Intergraf – the European federation for print and digital communication (Brussels / Belgium; www.intergraf.eu), the founding members elected their first board. ATIF president Sante Conselvan will serve as FTA Europe president, while EFTA Benelux board member Wim Buyle will act as vice president.

In the coming year, the new umbrella group has set itself the goal of developing a website, expanding membership, setting up a volunteer framework and developing an action plan for the next three years.