NewslineVolume V, Issue 23 - November 5, 2004The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In This Issue: NASA to Participate in CRI Annual Meeting The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has accepted an invitation
to participate in the CRI Annual Meeting on December 1. Fred Schramm, Director
of NASA's Technology Transfer Department, will speak about CRI's use of a NASA
/ KeyMaster Technologies co-developed vacuum enhanced X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
technology in the new Seal of Approval Cleaning Testing Program. The use of
XRF to quantify soil removal efficacy of carpet cleaning systems is the latest
example of the application of NASA space mission technology in the commercial
sector. CRI's new Seal of Approval cleaning testing program will be officially
launched this month. If you have not already registered to attend CRI's Annual Meeting, you can do so by visiting the CRI website. There is no charge to attend the meeting and lunch, however, registration is necessary. If you have questions or need any additional information, contact Sally Fortenberry at 706.428.2108. Misinformation Circulating Regarding Carpet In an article in HealthDay, New York Presbyterian Hospital offered
some "tips" on how to make fall and winter more bearable for children
suffering from allergies and asthma. Among those tips was this little tidbit:
"Don't put rugs or carpeting -- which provide ideal places for dust mites
to proliferate -- in your children's rooms." Just another reminder of the
kind of misinformation being circulated into the mainstream by otherwise reputable
sources. CRI is in the process of contacting the hospital in an effort to pass
along the updated science and data that contradicts their recommendation. European Manufacturers Unite Against REACHTwelve major industry groups from Europe's manufacturing sector have joined
forces to challenge the proposed REACH program. Members of the "REACH Alliance"
include the Confederation of European Paper Industries, the European Association
of Mining Industries and the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries.
The Alliance says REACH would have "significant consequences" for
their industries as the raw materials they use would be subject to registration
under the draft regulation. As a consequence, their products and preparations
would also fall under the regulation, which the alliance said would "seriously
affect their competitiveness." According to the Web site EurActiv, Alliance
members want certain raw materials and products excluded from REACH regulations.
REACH Impact on Retail SectorSeparately, EurActiv reported on a study recently published by the journal EuroCommerce suggesting that the total direct costs of REACH for the retail, wholesale and trade sectors could be more than $1 billion. The study indicates that the most significant impacts of REACH for commerce sectors would be the requirements for registration or notification of substances imported from outside the EU. EuroCommerce argues that as it stands, REACH "might constitute discriminatory treatment" because the importer has to register all the different substances contained in preparations, which could de facto constitute a barrier to trade. A working group set up by the European Commission is expected to submit its own impact assessment study by the end of the year.Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428.2136. CRI Has Presence at Carpet Cushion Council Annual MeetingCRI President Werner Braun was one of the featured presenters at the recent Carpet Cushion Council (CCC) annual meeting in Los Angeles, California, and updated the CCC membership on CRI programs and marketing efforts. If anyone has an interest in Mr. Braun speaking to their association, please contact James Beach at 706.428.2116. Kyoto Treaty Likely to Enter Into ForceWith the final approval from the Russian Parliament in place, President Vladimir
Putin is expected to sign a bill that would authorize Russia to ratify the Kyoto
Protocol. Russia's adoption will put the climate pact into force early next
year. According to the Associated Press, once the treaty takes effect, industrialized
countries that have ratified the treaty will have until 2012 to cut collective
emissions of six key greenhouse gases to 5.2 percent below 1990 levels. The
next round of international climate talks is scheduled for December in Buenos
Aires, Argentina, and negotiations on greenhouse-gas emissions after 2012 are
expected to be part of these talks. While the United States has not approved
the Kyoto treaty, the move could have an impact on U.S. businesses with multinational
operations. 2003 CRI Industry Statistics PublicationThe 2003 CRI Industry Statistics publication is now available. Included are:
total industry shipments/dollars, primary backing stats, fiber shipments, imports/exports
including hand made oriental imports, pricing/average per person in square yards,
producer price index, industry breakdown by yards/dollars. To order, call 706.428.2114.
CRI Meetings* Market Issues Committee (special session to review results from consumer
survey research), November 30, noon - 1:30 p.m., CRI Boardroom CRI Participation in Upcoming Events* Connections Convention and Trade Show, November 4-6, Las Vegas, Nevada 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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