HANNOVER, GERMANY—At its annual meeting held here recently, the international consortium of carpet and rug trade associations, the World Carpet and Rug Council (WCRC) voted in new leadership. Simon Van de Vrande, director of the European Carpet and Rug Association, will serve as president, while Werner Braun, president of the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI), will handle duties as vice president.

At the meeting held one day prior to the opening of Domotex, members discussed their respective progress and remaining challenges in the areas of cleaning and maintenance, VOCs, sustainability, as well as asthma and allergy research. In a new development, the Australian and Japanese associations expressed interest in participating in CRI’s Seal of Approval program for carpet cleaning products/equipment.

The six voting members of WCRC are from Europe, U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia and China. Next year’s meeting will be held in conjunction with Surfaces in Las Vegas.

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