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 REGULATORY NEWS
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OSHA Delays Reporting - Indefinitely
The Labor Department has delayed the July 1 phase-in deadline for electronic reporting of workplace injury and illness logs, indefinitely. OSHA has not yet created a website for employers to submit the mandated information. The final rule includes anti-retaliation provisions which may increase employers' exposure to criminal penalties for false statements to the government. This raised concerns about meeting the reporting obligations on time.
Source: Beveridge & Diamond PC, May 24, 2017. Photo © U.S. Department of Labor.
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One Unified Green Building Code
An alliance of industry groups is working to unify ASHRAE's Standard for High-Performance Green Building Standard 189.1 and ICC's International Green Construction Code into a single code. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the International Code Council (ICC), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Illuminating Engineering Society, and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) are working together on the project.
Source: Building Design+Construction, May 30, 2017.
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USC Flooring Fined For Formaldehyde
USC Flooring Products paid a $60,000 settlement to CARB for importing, distributing, and offering for sale laminate flooring that exceeded CARB's formaldehyde emission standards. The fine was levied for laminate flooring sold from January 2014 to August 2015. USC Flooring Products has committed to full compliance with CARB's Composite Wood Regulation.
Source: Woodworking Network, June 1, 2017.
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
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Climate Change Accelerates Disease
New research shows that climate change has an alarming potential to increase the damage to trees from disease. In this case, experts studied damage to Norway spruce trees caused by a naturally circulating, disease-spreading fungus. A similar theme has been reported in An Overview of Climate, Climate Change and Forest Insects and Pathogens, by USDA’s Susan Frankel, Sudden Oak Death Research Program Manager.
Source: Science Daily, May 30, 2017. See photos, data, and more: Pacific Southwest Research Station. Photo © Riikka Linnakoski.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
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Get The Latest News On Chinese Hardwood Plywood Antidumping
See the HPVA® website for the latest information and updates on antidumping duties on Chinese hardwood plywood as well as news on trade, policy, and regulations that impact manufacturers, distributors, and users of hardwood plywood.
Source: HPVA®.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
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American OEM, States Industries Awarded Certification
HPVA Laboratories® awarded ANSI/HPVA EF Engineered Wood Flooring certification to the American OEM Wood Floors plant in Only, TN, as the plant demonstrated that its processes and controls meet the standard's rigorous requirements. States Industries' Eugene, OR plant received ANSI/HPVA HP-1-2016 Hardwood Plywood certification, confirming that its quality management systems and production meet or exceed every condition of the national consensus standard. Congratulations!
Source: HPVA Laboratories®; States Industries.
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NEWS BRIEFS
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80-Story Timber High-Rise Planned
Perkins+Will, who designed the massive structure, believe that large timber buildings can perform as well as steel or concrete in a fire.
Source: Construction Dive, May 24, 2017. Photo of Chicago River Beech atrium © Perkins+Will.
Reducing Bat Mortality
A Canadian wind turbine company has funded research intended to reduce bat mortality from wind turbines by 60%.
Source: Exploring Green Technology.
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Ghana Lifts Rosewood Ban
The Ghana Forestry Commission states that they have created mechanisms to regulate the harvesting, processing, and export of rosewood.
Source: Fordaq, May 22, 2017. See also Illegal logging: how wood is the new ivory.
Sales Of New Homes Drop In April
In April, sales of new homes fell by 11.4% across all 4 regions of the U.S., led by a 26.3% drop in the West.
Source: Builder, May 23, 2017.
Household Debt Hits New Peak
Household debt reached $12.7 trillion during the first quarter, raising fears of a new wave of defaults accompanied by a mortgage meltdown.
Source: Builder, May 23, 2017.
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Census Releases Housing Report
The latest housing characteristic report includes the number of bedrooms and baths, square footage, and the source of buyer financing.
Source: Builder, June 1, 2017.
Lowering A Home’s Energy Footprint
Experts show how to retrofit a house to use almost no energy. Compare your carbon footprint with this online calculator.
Source: Builder, May 25, 2017.
Builders Struggle To Find Workers
The competition to find qualified workers has caused an increase in the price of homes and longer project timelines.
Source: Builder, May 22, 2017.
AHEC SE Asia & China Convention
The AHEC 22nd Southeast Asia & Greater China Convention, June 22-23 in Qingdao, China, will attract more than 400 delegates.
Source: Fordaq, May 24, 2017.
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Send Us Your Company News, Ideas For Articles, And More
We are always looking for great stories, news about your company, and interesting multimedia. We also welcome feedback on this week's content and suggestions for topics you would like to see in upcoming HPVA® eNews. Email us at innovate@hpva.org.
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