Flexible foamers launch product certification scheme

By David Reed, UT EditorMilan, Italy-Europur, the association representing most manufacturers of flexible slabstock polyurethane foam in Europe, used the occasion of the prestigious Salone Internazionale del Mobile furniture exhibition in Milan for the official launch of its voluntary scheme underscoring the industry's commitment to the safety, health and environmental (SHE) performance of its products."I am delighted to be here today at the prestigious Salone Internazionale del Mobile, and to see the vast range of superb modern furniture and mattresses, much of which contains our foams" said Europur's president, Edward Dupont, at the 14 April event. "It's not just excellent performance qualities that concern us but that we wish to be proactive in the field of safety, health and environment as part of Responsible Care. CertiPUR expresses our commitment in this regard and will help reinforce long-term confidence in polyurethane flexible foams," he concluded. "We have already received clear expressions of support for the CertiPUR label from a number of major foam suppliers in the furniture and bedding sectors," added Theo Speeleveld, secretary general of Europur; the Brussels-based Europur Secretariat will manage the scheme.CertiPUR, as the scheme is dubbed, restricts or prohibits the use of certain substances that either may be used to make foams or that could be found in the final product. "Among its specific requirements, the scheme sets strict limits for materials such as heavy metals (various levels), tributyl tin (