Manufacturers’ Committee hears keynote presentation by Jane Gardner of ERFMI
With almost forty attendees, the recent very well-supported meeting of the CFA Manufacturers’ Committee heard a presentation from Jane Gardner, CEO of ERFMI, the European Resilient Flooring Manufacturers’ Association, which includes in its membership a number of companies which are also members of the CFA.
Jane reminded all that resilient flooring accounts for 29% of the European floorcoverings sector, covered by EN14041 and that the UK is the largest market in Europe for PVC-based resilient floorcoverings and the second-largest market for all types of resilient floorcoverings.
Working towards a circular economy has been a very important focus, since the launch of the European Green Deal in December 2019. This aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990. It also aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, which is aligned with the plan of the UK Government.
There have been a vast number of initiatives which have come out of the Green Deal. The ones that ERFMI has been focusing on are: the revision of the Construction Products regulations to include environmental aspects (this might be different from the UK because of the adoption of the separate UKCA mark), the introduction of Eco Design for Sustainable Products Regulations (ESPR), Minimum Recycled Content, Product Passports and a Chemical Strategy for Sustainability, which will include a revision of the REACH regulations.
Jane talked about the move towards Extended Producer Responsibility in various European countries and also how the adoption of the UKCA mark is presenting a complication in the market and how a divergence between EU and UK regulations will affect the market, necessitating the need for greater cooperation between the CFA and European organisations such as ERFMI.
A big challenge at the moment is the fact that the European Commission has placed PVC under investigation, following a controversial report regarding the hazards posed by PVC and its additives to human health and the environment. The most likely outcome from the investigation report is that certain additives may be restricted.
Meanwhile the development of a circular economy in floorcoverings is continuing and ERFMI hopes that we can develop a blueprint which can inspire others within the construction industry. Projects such as CISUFLO, of which the CFA is also a member, are very important as well, and Jane provided an introduction to its work of trying to set up a framework for circular and sustainable floorcoverings. She also outlined the four work packages in which the CFA is most heavily involved – socio-economic aspects, pilot projects, industrial uptake and dissemination.
Jane talked about the importance of standardisation across Europe as an important way to achieve this, as well as the challenges of recycling post-consumer waste, where there remains much work to do, mainly on account of the presence of legacy materials within the waste, that is chemicals which were permissible at the time of manufacture, but not any longer.
Jane’s full presentation can be viewed within the Webinars section of the Members’ Area on the CFA website.
The meeting also heard an industry report from CEO Richard Catt, who gave an update on current projects, specifically some work on underfloor heating. A working group has been formed that will consider developments in underfloor heating and ensure that the general guidance offered for resilient, timber and textile markets continue to develop in this fast-changing area. Work is likely to include a more detailed examination of changes to Part L of the building regulations, and consider recommendations offered by other leading groups such as BEAMA (the trade body who represents the underfloor heating sector).
The next CFA manufacturers committee meeting is on Wednesday 7 December and will be a hybrid event. Details will be circulated to members nearer the date.
