NewslineVolume XI, Issue 14 - October 30, 2009
The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In This Issue: New Seal of Approval Products Earn Certification
The Winchester, Virginia-based Rubbermaid Commercial Products, LLC has been granted silver-level certification for their Dolly Vac 9VDVPN4400 w/Power Nozzle. In the cleaning systems category, Windsor Industries is again participating in the Seal of Approval process, earning SOA Silver-level certification for their Dominator Series: Dominator 1.006-669.0, Dominator 1.006-668.0, Dominator 1.006-665.0, and Dominator 1.006-667.0. The company's Century 400 - Ninja 1.007-068.0 also achieved silver label status. Congratulations to all the new Seal of Approval participants! Contact Pat Jennings at 706.428-2123. Search and View Lists of SOA-Approved Products CRI Participates in Review of California Green Chemistry ProposalCRI Government Affairs Director Frank Hurd and Technical Issues Director Ken McIntosh traveled to Sacramento, California for a Green Chemistry workshop held October 21 and sponsored by the CA Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). The purpose of the workshop was to review the draft proposal for implementation of AB 1879 - the so-called Green Chemistry bill that seeks to regulate and eventually ban all chemicals of concern from products offered for sale in California. The Green Chemistry legislation marks a move away from chemical-by-chemical legislation to deal with a broader list of "chemicals of concern". The draft identifies 16 primary chemicals of concern, but also includes any chemical identified on a list of 29 national and international references. "Very few chemicals produced are not affected," Hurd said. The draft regulation requires that any manufacturer of a consumer product that contains one or more of the listed chemicals of concern:
(Exemption: This regulation willl not apply to consumer products that are available in CA for the sole purpose of redistribution, sale or lease outside of CA.) Implementation: DTSC is planning to put final draft guidelines out by the first quarter of 2010 with an implementation date of 2011. "This proposed regulation in response to AB 1879 will significantly add to the cost of doing business in CA. As it is currently outlined, there is no way a manufacturer will be able to comply without incurring significant expense. Manufacturing jobs in California will most likely be lost due to this legislation. While the carpet industry will not be affected as much some other industries, there is no doubt it will affect us," Hurd said. CRI will continue to monitor and work with manufacturers to try and make sure the regulation promulgated is based on reason, sound science and is the least intrusive it can be. Contact Bethany Richmond at 706.428-2125. View a Detailed Transcript of Green Ribbon Panel Workshop California Indoor Air Quality Standard 01350 Being RevisedOn October 23, CRI Government Affairs Director Frank Hurd and Technical Issues Director Ken McIntosh participated in a brainstorming meeting on updating the California Air Quality Standard that references CRI's Green Label Plus standard for VOC emissions from carpet. According to Ken McIntosh, "The California Department of Public Health (CA DPH), Indoor Air Quality division is in the process of revising its Indoor Air Quality program commonly referred to as CA 01350. The program was introduced in the fall of 2004 as a "Standard Practice for the Testing of Volatile Organic Emission from Various Sources Using Small-Scale Environmental Chambers." Since the 2004 introduction as a Standard Practice for the Testing of VOCs, the CA 01350 program is currently recognized as the premiere program for VOC testing against schools, offices, and residential VOC emissions criteria. The revisions made and being considered by CA DPH are intended to bring the Standard 01350 up to date with current criteria, adding a testing method for furniture and establishing modeling parameters for residential applications. Of primary concern for CRI is ensuring that CRI's Green Label Plus program continues to be considered equivalent to CA 01350. While the direct reference to CRI's program will no longer be included, there is language that will ensure CRI's continued position as equivalent to CA 01350." Contact Bethany Richmond at 706.428-2125. Brochure Available on CRI's TARR System for Commercial CarpetAs part of its ongoing efforts to simplify the process of choosing and specifying carpet, CRI has added another easy-to-use tool to its collection: the Texture Appearance Retention Rating System, or TARR, which functions as a model specification that arms design and construction professionals with the correct information for choosing the best carpet for the job at hand. The idea behind TARR is that carpet performs best when the carpet used is suited to the environment in which it is installed. In the brochure, a moderate, heavy, severe, or special end- use classification is established for each installation environment based on the level of expected foot traffic in the specific area. For example, private offices or conference areas are classified as moderate use, while corridors or common areas are classified as heavy or severe use. Special end-use involves carpet in transportation settings such as buses, elevators or airports. For moderate traffic, carpet should carry a TARR rating of no less than 2.5, heavy traffic requires a TARR of 3 or better, and severe traffic calls for a TARR of 3.5 or more. There's also a "special" classification for other uses not included in the first three. The brochure also includes information on choosing backing types and recommended cleaning and maintenance schedules. Contact Bethany Richmond at 706.428-2125. View the CRI Blog Post on this Subject View the New CRI TARR Fact Sheet Brochure CRI Meetings
* CEU Workgroup, November 5, 8:30 - 10:30 am CRI Participation in Upcoming Events
* American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, November 5 - 11, Miami, FL If you are aware of other events that present significant opportunities to deliver our messages to our critical audiences, please contact Bethany Richmond at 706.428-2125. Check our website calendar for other industry related events
|
 |
|
|
