NewslineVolume VII, Issue 1 - January 13, 2006The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In This Issue: Bill to Amend Toxic Substances and Control Act Introduced in HouseRep. Paul Gillmor (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Environment and Hazardous Materials subcommittee, recently introduced legislation to amend the Toxic Substances and Control Act (TSCA), to make it consistent with three international treaties controlling hazardous chemicals. The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish Federal Register notices updating interested parties on key actions taken under the treaties, such as proposals to add new chemicals to the lists of compounds covered by the agreements. The three treaties, which have entered into force, and which the United States has signed but not yet ratified, are: (i) the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs); (ii) the POPs Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP); and (iii) the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. While giving EPA the authority to regulate chemicals added to either of the POPs treaties, the bill does not require the agency to take such action. Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428-2136. Environmentalists Sue EPA Over New Waste Incinerator RulesA coalition of environmentalists recently filed suit in federal court, challenging the EPA's approval of a rule that regulates waste incinerators as boilers, rather than incinerators. The lawsuit alleges that the EPA approved a rule last September that redefined many of these incinerators as boilers, saying that because they recapture heat they should be exempt from the stronger pollution reduction requirements under federal law. Conservation groups are calling on the EPA to reconsider its decision to exempt waste incinerators from the more stringent air pollution reduction requirements of the Clean Air Act. Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428-2136. Shaw Industries Wins 2005 GSA Evergreen AwardShaw Industries' Commercial Division received the 2005 GSA Evergreen Award in the Furnishings category. The award was presented at the Quality Partnership Council meeting recently. The five categories considered in evaluating nominees are:
Shaw's environmental initiatives provide significant contributions in all five categories considered under the GSA Evergreen Award. Most significantly, its EcoWorx carpet tile backing has been optimized through the MBDC protocol, ensuring its safety for human health and the environment. As a cradle to cradle product, EcoWorx can be recycled in a continuous loop, back into its original state. Contact James Beach at 706.428-2116. CCACTI Technical Forums ScheduledTwo research project review forums have been scheduled to communicate the results of research being conducted under the auspices of the Traditional Industries Program (TIP) and the Consortium on Competitiveness for the Carpet, Apparel, and Textile Industries (CCACTI). During these forums, researchers will report on the progress of their funded projects for fiscal years FY05 and FY06. The carpet sector forum will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at the Dalton State College Library (Conference Room) in Dalton from 8:45 – 2:30, and the textile sector forum will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at Georgia Power Company headquarters (Conference Rooms 5 and 6 – Lobby Level) in Atlanta from 8:45 – 2:30. There is no charge to attend either forum, and lunch will be provided. The forums are open to all industry persons, but an RSVP is requested to help sponsors in planning for lunch. You can your RSVP to Charles Estes or contact him at 404.894-6106, or David Apple at 770.387-4002 for questions. Contact Carroll Turner at 706.428-2106. State Conducting Cancer StudyAs reported in the Dalton Daily Citizen, The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) is investigating whether there is a high cancer incidence in the Northwest Georgia area, and if so, whether something in the environment is contributing to it. The DHR has received reports of an unusual number of cases of glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive brain cancer, in the area and has asked some residents to take part in an educational health education needs assessment survey. The DHR will also do an assessment of local industry, focusing on chemicals and emissions. Contact James Beach at 706.428-2116. Housekeeping Channel Offers Special Deal to CRI MembersThe Housekeeping Channel® is offering a special promotional package for members of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). For a limited time, CRI members can place a full skyscraper banner ad on the Housekeeping Channel for $100 per month (no contract required, cancellation at any time). In addition, each participating CRI member will receive a product listing that will be included in both the wired version of the site and the wireless version soon to be available to 16 million mobile phone users. The Housekeeping Channel is also working with ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to supply cleaning and housekeeping products and services to deserving families. If you wish to take advantage of this opportunity, please respond by email to Allen Rathey, president of the Housekeeping Channel, . Contact James Beach at 706.428-2116. CRI Participates at Prochem Sales Meeting
If your company or organization would like CRI to participate in an upcoming event, contact Joan Seelaus at 706.428-2123. Contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875-0634. See the complete list of certified SOA extractors CRI has New Schools Pamphlet"Carpet Makes the Grade In Schools" is a new pamphlet CRI created for distribution to approximately 50,000 elementary school principals through the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). CRI plans to distribute them at the NAESP annual conference in March/April, as well as in Connecticut this spring, at the IAQ in schools forum which CRI is putting together. Remaining copies will be distributed at upcoming conference and events as appropriate. One of the unique aspects of the new pamphlet is the extensive listing of publications, abstracts, studies, relevant papers and technical bulletins on the back page and available through the CRI website. On another note, the Canadian Carpet Institute has also put out a brochure advocating the use of carpet in schools and is distributing the English and French versions of it throughout the country to school and facility administrators. It cites many of the same studies and scientific data CRI relies on to push the message. Contact Joan Seelaus at 706.428.2123. See CRI's list of publications available for purchase and free download. CRI Meetings* CEU Workgroup, January 18, 12:00 - 3:00 pm CRI Participation in Upcoming Events
* Domotex, January 14 - 17, Hannover, Germany If you are aware of other events that present significant opportunities to deliver our messages to our critical audiences, please contact Joan Seelaus at 706.428.2123. Check our website calendar for other industry related events |
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