NewslineVolume V, Issue 17 - August 13, 2004The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In This Issue: Carpet Cleaning Product Testing Program Introduced More than 100 people, representing 50 different cleaning chemical manufacturing
companies and over 90 percent of the market segment, attended the introduction
and launch of the CRI Carpet Cleaning Product Testing Program held at the Atlanta
Renaissance Concourse Hotel on August 4. The Carpet Cleaning Product Testing
Program will be divided into three categories: Spot Cleaners, Pre-Spray, and
In- Tank Cleaning Products. USDOC Releases Standards Report In March 2003, the Department of Commerce announced its Standards Initiative
in response to industry concerns that issues related to standards and compliance
with those standards represent some of the greatest barriers to expanding exports.
Standards are a critical issue for manufacturers in global markets as they can
either facilitate international trade or impede access to foreign markets. Technical
standards barriers such as duplicative testing and certification procedures
among differing nations are a growing concern among U.S. Companies. The report
released last week summarizes current DOC Standards related activities and industry
input regarding standards issues prioritites. Recommendations in the report
are intended to improve the environment for manufacturing and enable U.S. manufacturers
to compete more effectively in world markets. The report will be used to improve
coordination between various government agencies on standards issues. WTO Members Raise ConcernsAt a meeting of the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade in July, a
number of WTO member countries raised significant concerns with regard to the
proposed EU REACH (chemicals) regulation. Among those concerned countries are
Singapore, Thailand, U.S., Australia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Peoples Republic
of China, Chile, and Brazil. The U.S. believes that the European Commission
has made limited improvements in its latest proposal, but despite "a number
of welcome modifications" the proposal does not yet offer a realistic solution
for ensuring "robust protection" of the environment and human health.
Among the key sectors that would be affected by REACH are textiles, electronics
and pharmaceuticals. CRI sits on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee for Textiles
and Standards and Technical Barriers and will stay abreast of the latest developments
on the REACH initiative. Your questions and comments with regard to this and
other international trade issues affecting the carpet industry are encouraged
so that the full benefit of our participation in the committees can be realized.
Third Dalton State Workshop SetA workshop entitled "Polymer Science and Engineering for the Carpet Industry''
will be held at Dalton State College on Sept. 10, 2004. Registration begins
at 7:45 a.m. and the workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. The workshop, which benefits
anyone in the industry needing an introduction to polymer science and engineering,
is the third in a series of workshops organized by Dalton State College and
the School of Polymer, Textile and Fiber Engineering (PTFE) at Georgia Tech.
The workshop will feature Dr. Anslem Griffin and Dr. Donald McLemore. Dr. Anslem
is the chair and professor in PTFE at Georgia Tech, and Dr. McLemore is Director
of Polymer Outreach in PTFE at Georgia Tech. Sponsorship and support are being
provided by the PTFE Carpet Endowment Fund. Ohio Health Department Utilizes Carpet In ProgramIn an effort to encourage visitors and employees to use the stairs instead
of elevators, the Cleveland (Ohio) County Health Department has instituted a
"StairWell of Health'' program that utilizes carpet in the stairways. They
are encouraging local business to do so as well, and point to a website for
the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion for
tips to increase physical activity during the workday. The website suggests
that businesses carpet stairwells as a way to entice people to use them comfortably.
Visit the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion website TV News Story In Reno, Nevada Gets It RightA recent Fox TV news story in Reno, Nevada, on indoor air quality talked about
carpet's air quality benefits and its ability to control dust and dirt, keeping
it out of the air and out of the breathing zone. The news story focused on the
importance of cleaning and cited CRI, the CRI website, as well as the Green
Label testing program for vacuum cleaners. Visit the Fox TV website for a look at the complete transcript CRI Featured in TV-12 'Our Town Dalton' Segment CRI is among the businesses featured in Chattanooga's News Channel 12's "Our
Town Dalton'' series which is airing all this week and next. CRI President Werner
Braun talks about carpet and its contribution to a better environment as well
as the community's role in the success of the carpet industry. The segment can
be seen at various times during the week, including on the 5:30-6:30 p.m. newscast.
CRI Meetings* Market Issues Committee, September 13, noon - 2 p.m., CRI Boardroom CRI Participation in Upcoming Events* 2004 Republican National Convention, August 30-September 2, New York, New
York 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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