24th February 2012, 09:39 AM
The consultation period is now over, although if the standard is adopted at the EGM it will be 'under probation' so to speak, for 12 months and I guess this will allow further amendment if necessary.....
I have to say the more that I hear of the IfA legal opinion on whether archaeological provision can be 'restricted' to RAO or IfA members only, the more I worry. I note already that this proposal has thrown in a line adding 'equivalent EU standards' to the list of professional competence. I presume because some legal bod has pointed out that they may be breaking EU law if the guidance appears to restrict competition solely to UK 'licensed' practitioners. That suggests to me that that whole basis for this legal advice is on unsteady foundation, because as all of us archaeologists who work outside of the UK and Ireland know, there is no EU 'competence' assessment scheme that could possibly be used to assess whether individuals or organisations are capable both ethically and technically of undertaking archaeological work. To my mind section 10 of this proposal is flawed being based on a false premise and should be dropped, at least as it is currently formulated.
I have to say the more that I hear of the IfA legal opinion on whether archaeological provision can be 'restricted' to RAO or IfA members only, the more I worry. I note already that this proposal has thrown in a line adding 'equivalent EU standards' to the list of professional competence. I presume because some legal bod has pointed out that they may be breaking EU law if the guidance appears to restrict competition solely to UK 'licensed' practitioners. That suggests to me that that whole basis for this legal advice is on unsteady foundation, because as all of us archaeologists who work outside of the UK and Ireland know, there is no EU 'competence' assessment scheme that could possibly be used to assess whether individuals or organisations are capable both ethically and technically of undertaking archaeological work. To my mind section 10 of this proposal is flawed being based on a false premise and should be dropped, at least as it is currently formulated.
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...