NewslineVolume V, Issue 7 - April 2, 2004The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In This Issue: Georgia Delegation Sends Letter to Secretary Evans over Chinese Pirating PracticesThe Georgia Congressional delegation is going to the mat for its carpet and rug makers. "In some instances, Chinese manufacturers engaged in pirating activities have produced architecture and design brochures that contain the exact photographs included in similar advertising material used by the American manufacturer," nine of the state's 13 representatives in the House wrote in a letter to Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans. The focus of the textile piracy appears to have been designs in the commercial and hospitality sectors, the March 26 letter said. Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., who signed the letter, said domestic carpet manufacturers have a right to know that "the very rug they're producing isn't being pulled out from underneath them globally." The letter is intended to influence the U.S. position in future trade talks. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. Economic Review of REACH BroadensThe European Commission and industry officials have come to an agreement to broaden a previous economic impact assessment of the controversial chemicals control legislation, known as the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH). The review comes in response to industry concerns and will focus on the potential impacts of REACH on businesses throughout the supply chain; the potential impacts on innovation; and the potential impacts on Accession countries joining the EU this year. The review should take six to nine months to complete, according to Chemical Policy Alert. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. Civil Justice Reform Passes SenateAfter its debate and consideration of almost 30 separate amendments, the Georgia Senate, by a vote of 36-17, passed meaningful civil justice reforms on March 31, 2004. Through the efforts of a strong grass roots initiative, including monitoring and contact made to local legislators by CRI, the favorable result was accomplished. The legislation includes heightened requirements for expert witness testimony in medical malpractice cases and requires juries to more accurately apportion liability in multi-defendant cases. The Bill now goes to the House where a compromise could be negotiated between differing House and Senate versions. Rome Senator Preston Smith was a leader in the debate for reform on the Senate Floor. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. China's Rising Economic PowerChina's economic power continues to rise due to its cheaper labor rates and growing preference as the location of choice for back-office and information technology operations. Economic experts recommend that, instead of fearing China's growth, other nations should embrace it and welcome the country as a top-contributing member of the global economic village. This approach could make China's growth beneficial for everyone. Economists predict that trade tensions will increase in the coming years, but will ultimately be tempered as China is accepted as a global player. The Chinese market also will become a major source of sales growth in the next five years, according to Trend Letter. U.S. textile, retail and apparel manufacturing representatives, including CRI, met with high level Chinese government officials and representatives of six Chinese trade associations last week to find solutions to the issues of "unfair competition," including intellectual property violations, and U.S. job loss to Chinese competition. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. IDEC Members Enthusiastic About CRIOver 235 members of the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) attended the IDEC annual conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. IDEC members are interior design educators, practitioners, researchers, scholars, and administrators in institutions of higher education. These design educators were enthusiastic about and complimentary of CRI's materials and web information and are interested in CRI as a resource for their institutions. Contact Barbara Day at 706.428.2138. Consumer Wins with CRI Green Label Vacuum Cleaner ProgramAt the recent meeting of the Vacuum Cleaner Dealers Trade Association, CRI's Technical Service Manager, Carroll Turner, made a presentation entitled "Things Learned in Three Years of Testing for the CRI Green Label Vacuum Cleaner program." The presentation pointed out that the success of the program had been a Win-Win for vacuum cleaner dealers, vacuum cleaner manufacturers, carpet manufacturers, and most importantly, the consumer. Details of the CRI program are on the CRI website along with an extensive list of vacuum units that have met the strict requirements of this very helpful test program. Contact Carroll Turner at 706.428.2106. See program details and view list of approved vacuum cleaners Designers Learn about Sustainability Efforts in the Carpet IndustryIn Dallas on March 30 approximately 25 designers attended CRI's CEU course entitled, "Carpet for a Better Environment," presented by CRI's Joan Seelaus. The course, approved by the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC), reviews the sustainability efforts of the carpet industry. The event was held as part of "Designer Education Appreciation Day" sponsored by ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings. Contact Barbara Day at 706.428.2138. Carpet and Rug Care Guide Gains ExposureMary Hunt, creator of The Cheapskate Monthly newsletter, recently passed on to her readers information on how they could receive a free carpet spot care guide listing the 300 most common stains and the appropriate spot removal procedure. As a result, CRI received more than 375 calls in a two week period asking for the publication. The guide, Carpet and Rug Care Guide, is also available for download from the CRI website. Contact Barbra Wilson at 706.428.2125. Visit the CRI website for other free publications CRI in MaineJenn Mendez recently attended and exhibited at the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council's Annual Meeting. The topic addressed this year was "New Approaches for IAQ Healthy Homes." CRI's message "clean and dry" was prevelant throughout the speakers' messages as well as in the literature distributed to attendees. Attendees included architects, designers, home inspectors, realtors, physicians, public sector agency representatives and others. Nearly 200 people attended from the New England area. Contact Jenn Mendez at 703.875.0634. E-Journal Features Article on Flammability Testing RequirementsThe current e-journal, Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, sponsored by North Carolina State University College of Textiles, contains an article entitled Carpets for US Transportation Markets: Flammability Testing Requirements written by Carroll Turner of the CRI staff. Contact Carroll Turner at 706.428.2106. CRI Meetings* CRI Visibility Development Team, April 12, 12 noon - 3 p.m., CRI Boardroom CRI Participation in Upcoming Events* EnvironDesign8, April 21-23, Minneapolis, Minnesota 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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