Industry News & Announcements

Source: huntsman.com 
Huntsman Corporation’s Polyurethanes division is one of the first companies in the industry to sign the new Spray Foam Coalition (SFC) Code of Conduct from the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI). The SFC Code of Conduct serves as a framework for Coalition members to further demonstrate their dedication to the health, safety and product stewardship of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) products. 

"The Code of Conduct shows an important and continuous commitment to product stewardship that benefits the entire SPF value chain, as well as everyone in the built environment," said Lee Salamone, Senior Director, Center for Polyurethanes. The use of SPF continues to grow, and is one of the most effective tools to efficiently air seal and insulate residential and commercial buildings. The signatories, SFC members that manufacture SPF systems, promote worker and public health and safety with respect to their SPF products, which include the chemicals that react to make SPF and the final SPF materials."  

The SFC Code of Conduct is the first of its kind and includes commitments to leadership, hazard communication, applicator training, education and research. 

"Internally, as well as externally, Huntsman Polyurethanes strives to maintain a culture of product safety and product stewardship," said Steve Burns, Vice President, Americas, Huntsman Polyurethanes. "This shows in the way we manage the manufacture, sale and handling of our products for the SPF industry. Supporting the new SFC Code of Conduct is a natural extension of our strong commitment to the market and to our product  stewardship principles."

Examples of best practices outlined in the SFC Code of Conduct include:
  • Providing customers with appropriate health and safety information specific to each product;
  • Supporting and encouraging professional SPF contractors to seek professional certification; and
  • Encouraging innovation through research in building sciences, new products and technologies.
The SFC Code of Conduct will be reviewed at least annually to ensure the code remains an up-to-date reference for members. 

Source: bpi.org 
BPI understands that educating homeowners is critical to the future of the home performance industry. That's why consumer outreach has become one of BPI's most important efforts this year.

In April, BPI will participate in the 3rd USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo and Book Fair in Washington, D.C. BPI will showcase the science involved in using infrared camera equipment to understand house as a system building science. BPI will educate visitors on the value of BPI credentialed contractors and the quality of the BPI brand.
 
>>House GOP Pushes Toxic Chemicals Reform 
Source: thehill.com / Megan R. Wilson and Tim Devaney 
House Republicans are moving forward with a plan to reform decades-old chemical laws. Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) introduced a discussion draft that he says would strengthen chemical protections by, among other provisions, requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to focus on high-priority chemicals that pose the greatest risk to the public.

"The vast majority of chemicals are low priority, and we really want to free up the time and energy to focus on the more important chemicals," said Shimkus, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee that is working to update chemical standards.  

It is part of a longtime effort to reform the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TSCA) from 1976, initially spearheaded by the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.).
  • ACC Welcomes Draft House Legislation to Update TSCA: American Chemistry Council (ACC) President & CEO Cal Dooley issued the following statement in response to Congressman John Shimkus’ release of a discussion draft of the Chemicals in Commerce Act of 2014, a bill to update the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Source: nahb.org
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released the results of a new study, What Home Buyers Really Want: Ethnic Preferences. The latest release from NAHB’s publishing arm, BuilderBooks is a further analysis of the 2013 study, What Home Buyers Really Want, which presented preferences of all home buyers combined. This new study compares and contrasts how housing preferences are affected by the racial or ethnic background of a home buyer, after controlling for factors such as age and income.