ti?b treating i ndustry's CAP firmly in place

l -OKAY is the word 18 months A atier rhe voluntary Consumer Awareness Program and Consumer Information Sheet were mandated by the pressure treating industry to satisfy demands of the Environmental Protection Agency.

An industry audit conducted by echlaw, Inc., Denver, Co., showed that l00o/o of the treaters and chemical manufacturers audited were aware of the CAP and that 970lo of the treaters and 94% of the chemical manufacturers were participating. Since the audit the chemical manufacturers have achieved 1000/o participation, according to Pat Hamilton of the American Wood Preservers Institute.

On the retail/wholesale/distributor level, 8lo/o were found to be aware of the program with 700/o participating in seeing that the Consumer Information Sheets are displayed at the point of purchase. All segments of the industry have worked to publicize the availability of the information and the necessity of getting it into the hands of the customers. Articles in both the consumer and trade press have emphasized the importance to the industry of the success of the program.

Although the results of the audit were presented to the EPA in November of 1986, the industry is not slacking up in its efforts to keep the Consumer Awareness Program active and continuous. The American Wood Preservers Institute and the Society of American Wood Preservers are redoubling efforts to insure the ongoing success of the voluntary program. "The aim is to surpass the gratifying results indicated by the Techlaw, Inc., audit," Hamilton says.

Retailers will continue to be the link between pressure treated wood manufacturers and the consumers in educating the public on the proper use of pressure treated wood. As part of the industry's Consumer Awareness Program, Consumer Information Sheets will still be attached to each sale of pressure treated wood. Designed to brief the consumer on the proper handling of pressure treated wood and the proper sites for its use, the simplest brochures often include construction tips and an elementary explanation of the treatment process. Some companies have approached the CIS as a sales tool, printing an attractive educational brochure on pressure treated wood.

Story at a Glance

Audit shows high participation in Consumer Awareness Program. ..7oo/o of retail/wholesale/distribution levels display- ing Gonsumer Information Sheets at point of purchase ... industry associations urge continued vigilance. public response is generally positive.

The EPA approved use precautions are basically examples of safety and hygiene, advising users to wear gloves, goggles and a mask when exposed to splinters and sawdust plus recommending washing hands and clothing after working with pressure treated wood. The only precaution not applicable to working with all woods is the one admonishing consumers to never burn pressure treated wood scraps.

Despite fears that the public would be scared off by the publicity generated by the EPA's demands on the industry, sales of pressure treated wood have continued to climb. Demand for pressure treated wood has more than doubled since 1980, according to Bernard Fuller of Resource Information Systems. The information contained in the CIS sheets, which are an essential part of the wood preserving industry's Consumer Awareness Program, apparently have only made do-it-yourselfers more confident in handling the material. Industrial purchasers of pressure treated wood also have been reached by the CIS program although most professionals were already well acquainted with the building material, according to Hamilton.

"Wood treaters, chemical manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers are being urged to examine the chain of information distribution now and ensure that Consumer Information Sheets are available to their customers and to the ultimate consumers of pressure treated wood products," Hamilton emphasizes. "Enlightened consumers are repeat customers. They should know that pressure treated wood isa top quality building material which will last indefinitely."

George Eliades, president, Society of American Wood Preservers, Inc., devoted approximately half of a recent program presented for more than 50 Hechinger managers to the voluntary Consumer Awareness Program and the Consumer Information Sheets. Programs of this nature will continue to emphasize to retailers the importance of environmental regulations and the need to keep their customers informed.