NewslineVolume IV, Issue 15 - June 13, 2003The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In This Issue: New IAQ Recommendations in CaliforniaCalifornia officials are now pushing architect and design firms to specify building products which have been tested and approved under Section 01350 for use in California State office facilities and public schools. An additional Section 013250 contains specification language related to environmental and public health considerations for sustainable building projects. California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) staff worked with the California Department of Health Services (DHS), California Air Resources Board, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Hal Levin of Building Ecology Research Group, and Anthony Bernheim FAIA, principal in charge of green design at Simon Martin-Vegue Winkelstein Morris, to develop Section 01350. The result of testing on 17 different products was released in California last week. Carpet was one of those products. Indoor air quality guidelines to protect human health are a key element of Section 01350. These guidelines contain an indoor air quality testing protocol for manufacturers to then have performed on their products by independent laboratories. Selected materials are tested for chemical emissions and must conform to allowable levels identified in Section 01350 in order to qualify for use in a State facility or public school. Contact Ken McIntosh at 706.428.2105. National Fox News InterviewCRI President, Werner Braun, recently did a national Fox News interview. Mr. Braun was interviewed for the telecast in Chattanooga's Fox affiliate, but was connected to the Fox affiliate in Washington D.C. via satellite. The show is scheduled to air in the next week or so and was based on the topic of carpet's role in indoor air quality and health issues. Contact James Beach at 706.428.2116. Canadian Carpet Institute Has New President Mr. Franois Bdard, President of Beaulieu Canada, has been named President of The Canadian Carpet Institute. Mr. Bdard joined Coronet Carpets in 1995 as Vice-President, Finance, until the merger of the company with Peerless Carpet. He then became Chief Financial Officer and, in 2001, President of Beaulieu Canada. Mr. Bdard has an excellent understanding of the changing needs of an industry serving the North American market. He states he will be pro-active in "getting the real carpet story" across to Canadian floor covering consumers, both residential and commercial. The Canadian Carpet Institute represents Canadian carpet manufacturers who produce over 95% of the carpet made in Canada. The Fundamentals of Carpet - The Carpet PrimerThe Carpet Primer is CRI's comprehensive resource guide on carpet construction, specification, installation, maintenance, indoor air quality and sustainability initiatives. This 80-page document is ideal for use by designers, specifiers, facility managers, end-users, retailers, or anyone interested in making informed carpet decisions to create a visually pleasing and long-lasting environment. Get your copy today! The Carpet Primer is available on the CRI website or in a loose-leaf, 3-ring binder. To order the print edition, call the CRI publications department at 706.428.2114 or 800.882.8846 x2114. View the Carpet Primer on the CRI website CRI at RAGACRI attended the summer annual meeting of the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) last week in Las Vegas. The meeting was attended by 18 of the 20 Republican Attorneys General and staff members as well as Attorney General candidates from Louisiana and Mississippi. The group focused on corporate responsibility issues and energy issues at the state level. Many important issues arise through a state's Attorney General's office and it is critical for CRI to establish and maintain relationships with this group of government officials. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. European Chemical StrategyA teleconference with representatives of the U.S. Department of Commerce was held on June 5 among a wide variety of interested industries and trade associations including CRI to discuss the status of the proposed European Union Chemical Strategy called REACH - Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals. This chemical legislation could affect thousands of chemicals and ultimate downstream users. The European Commission is providing an eight week commentary period ending on July 10, 2003. The U.S. Government will be making comments directed mainly at the process of the proposal. CRI will make comments directly to the E.C. Individual companies can make comments directly to the E.C. on their website (see link below). Comments can also be made to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Informational Questions and Answers About REACH: ** What types of textiles will be affected? REACH would potentially affect all textile products from intermediate to finished products. Any products that contain or have been treated with chemical substances (e.g., dyes, finishes, coatings) could be affected. REACH covers some 30,000 chemical substances and will affect all products that use those chemicals. Each chemical for each individual use will need to be registered. ** What is the trigger level? An exporter must supply information all through the supply chain. It will be necessary for companies to build a dossier with this information. Chemicals and products over one ton will be tested, but all products with chemicals, regardless of volume, will need to be registered. ** How will the program be implemented/Who will analyze the paperwork? A new chemical agency will be created. Details of how each EU member state will implement the regulations are still unknown. The EU is hoping to form a consortium which will help determine which chemicals have been registered and where. Right now, there is no way for one member state to determine that another member state has registered the chemical. There is a major concern that suppliers may not be registered in all the EU member states and that shipments may be held up. If products arrive and there is not sufficient documentation, it is likely that the local Customs will request that additional information be supplied before entry. It will be the responsibility of the chemical suppliers to register the chemical substances and all downstream uses. Therefore you will need to make sure that your suppliers have registered and have listed the appropriate end uses. ** When is REACH supposed to be implemented? In 2007. ** Has the EU formally put together test criteria? Not yet. That will come along at a later date. There is concern about what testing methods will be used. Will current European test methods be used, or will new ones be developed? In many cases, European testing methods and standards are different from those of the U.S. ** Cost of testing? $2,500-$5,000 for basic test. For more advanced tests, up to $10,000-$12,000. Also, there will be a charge of 5,000 Euros per registration. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. Visit The European Commission Website AIA Accreditation for IAQ ProgramThe American Institute of Architects (AIA) has granted CRI accreditation for the program on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) that has been presented as part of the Trends & Truths seminars being offered nationwide. Now architects who wish to receive continuing education credits when attending the seminar will receive credit for the IAQ portion of the program. Contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875.0634. CRI Meetings* CRI Annual Meeting, October 24, 2003 CRI Participation in Upcoming Events* International Society of Cleaning Technicians Annual Conference, June 17-21, High Point, North Carolina If you are aware of other events that present significant opportunities to deliver our messages to our critical audiences, please contact Louise Dobbs at 706.428.2104. Check our website calendar for other industry related events |
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