NALFA Gains Stronger Voice In International Standards Arena

ISO Conference Works toward Harmonized Standards

The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) recently hosted the 2004 ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Flooring Conference in Key West, Fla., where attendees discussed updated standards and improved testing methods for laminate flooring. Representatives from eight European countries attended, along with several NALFA representatives.

"NALFA is very pleased to be taking a more active role in the international standards dialogue," said Bill Dearing, president of NALFA. "This meeting provided us with an excellent opportunity to learn what our international counterparts are doing and allowed us to share our latest standards and testing methods with producers around the world."

At the ISO conference, NALFA representatives John Snow and Dennis Bradway presented its new FL-01-2003 ANSI-approved norm for laminate flooring, which provides a three-tiered standard of usage for residential, light commercial and commercial installations. The technical committee discussed how this new standard might provide the framework for a consolidated ISO/ANSI document. A suggested framework will be presented at the next meeting.

Presentations on locking strength, impact strength and thickness swelling were discussed, and it was recommended that these new standards move forward in the ISO approval process while NALFA representative John Snow of (company) presented a study on a new method of measuring abrasion resistance, which is expected to change all existing methods used for laminate flooring.

There was additional dialogue on locking strength in varying international climate conditions with different static loads.

The ISO membership, which includes NALFA, who represents North American laminate flooring interests to the international group, voted to fully support the Environmental Declarations of Building Products, a project analyzing sustainability in building construction.

Formed in 1997, the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) is comprised of US and Canadian manufacturers and importers of laminate flooring, who share a goal to encourage the establishment and maintenance of high standards in laminate flooring throughout North America. NALFA does not require that members submit their products for testing. For more information, visit www.nalfa.com

ISO is a non-governmental network comprised of the national standards institutes of 148 countries, on the basis of one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. ISO is able to act as a bridging organization in which a consensus can be reached on solutions that meet both the requirements of business and the broader needs of society, such as the needs of stakeholder groups like consumers and users. For more information, visit www.iso.org.

The Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) is comprised of more than 20 companies producing and marketing laminate flooring in the European Union. The association only accepts members committed to high standards of quality and those implementing suitable production processes. Among the association's major objectives are the promotion of research, development and standards; validation of the hygienic and environmental properties of laminate flooring products, and explanation of consumer benefits. For more information, visit www.eplf.com.