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Technology |
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The major tasks of the HDH technical department are:
Environment
Technology
Standadization
Research
The HDH Technical Committee is responsible for preparing expertises and solution proposals on topical themes in the woodworking and furniture industry. Individual topics are discussed and prepared in working groups, ensuring solutions that are in line with practice. The HDH Technical Committee comprises members, from manufacturers, associations, technical institutes, engineering bureaus and universities.
Politics affect Technology
The main political topics are the materials policy and the climate policy. Because of the specific effects on the German economy in general and the woodworking and furniture industry in particular, great efforts have been made by the associations to communicate their concern to those politically responsible . Topics of general relevance such as Corporate Social Responsibility, integrated product policy, resources and recycling strategy, packing and waste
policy will play a major role in the new European environment policy. It may be assumed that products will in future be classified as “green” and “non-green.” Some examples of these topics which affect the woodworking and furniture industry:
Integrated product policy
Integrated product policy aims at minimising a negative environmental impact of products throughout their entire life cycle. For this purpose, an instrument mix, ranging from product standards, environment management systems,
environment seals and eco-auditing to a comprehensive consumer information system has been created. Further, by means of pilot projects, criteria for assessing the ecological impact of products are to be developed and product
group databanks established.
Hazardous materials ordnance
Restructuring and tightening up of the relevant Committee for Hazardous Materials, which makes decisions that have severe consequences for freedom of design in industrial products. Of serious importance for the entire woodworking industry is the inclusion of “wood dust” in the catalogue of hazardous materials. The extension
of the definition, from previously oak and beech wood dust to cover dust from all resinous woods, is not justified by any evidence of dust-associated diseases diagnosed in Germany, but may be harmful to the image of the material
“wood”.
European waste policy
The EU Commission have published a thematic strategy for recycling and avoidance of waste. Realisation of the new concepts and instruments outlined in the strategy would have serious effects for the industry. These include
the possible introduction of EU-unified, material-related recycling quotas and the introduction of new economic instruments for the promotion of recycling.
Industrial safety ordnance
The Industrial Safety Committee (ISC) advises the Federal Ministry for Industry and Labour on matters of industrial safety, in the provision and use of equipment and in the operation of plant for which supervision is mandatory. HDH is represented in the Sub-Committee for Fire and Explosion Protection by their experts.
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