• Unemployment benefits for entrepreneurs
• Customs tariff is new, import duties are unchanged
• … And the customs officers will change
• Why glue current
• Edge in tune with modern furniture trends

Everything that happened last week in Ukraine and the world and that is relevant for the furniture maker, read in our digest:

1. According to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, from now on state assistance for partial unemployment for the period of quarantine can be paid to natural persons-entrepreneurs who do not have employees, but are insured persons, ie pay a single social contribution. This was reported on the website of the State Employment Center.

In order to receive assistance, FOPs need to apply to the employment centre at the place of payment of the EU and collect the necessary package of documents. Assistance can be obtained within 90 days of the suspension or reduction of activities.

2. Last week, the Verkhovna Rada adopted under a shortened procedure the bill №3238 on the establishment of a new customs tariff of Ukraine, the document provides for the replacement of the outdated classifier of goods of foreign economic activity and its harmonization with the international one.

The Customs Tariff is based on the version of the Ukrainian classification of goods for foreign economic activity, built on the basis of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System of 2017 and the EU Combined Nomenclature, taking into account the obligations under the World Trade Organization

The classification, description, additional units of measurement and accounting of certain goods will change, but the rates of import duty will remain unchanged, the Ministry of Finance assures.

3. At the board of the State Customs Service of Ukraine, the Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko instructed the customs administration to develop a mechanism for the rotation of customs officers at customs posts on a random (ie arbitrary, independent, using a computer) principle. Such a practice should significantly reduce the influence of the human factor during customs procedures and, consequently, reduce the corruption component.

4. The most technological method of manufacturing a furniture board is pressing using high-frequency currents. This method of pressing is becoming more widespread. Reputable Finnish manufacturer of wood adhesives – Kiilto has developed adhesive systems specifically for use in this process. In a sense, they violate the usual logic of PVA adhesives: in the case of using traditional adhesives with increasing bonding speed, the time of open exposure is reduced, so to increase productivity, you have to balance on the verge of exceeding it.

Kestokol D320 HF and Kestokol D325 HF adhesives are characterized by a long period of open exposure and when used (especially Kestokol D325 HF) in microwave presses allow to achieve extremely short pressing time, making the bonding process more efficient.

Also in the new products “Kiilto” significantly reduced formaldehyde content. In Kestokol D325 HF (liquid) up to 12 ppm (parts per million – formaldehyde) formaldehyde. This is a unique indicator, an order of magnitude lower than the content in most analogues on the market.

5. Production of modern furniture requires flexibility and attention to detail. In an effort to support those who focus on the wishes of customers and try to keep up with modern trends, the company “REHAU” offers furniture two new models of furniture edges: RAUKANTEX lumina and RAUKANTEX selvedge.

The RAUKANTEX lumina edge is a continuation of the experiments on lighting solutions announced at the Interzum 2019 exhibition. Conceptually, the product resembles another popular edge – RAUKANTEX magic 3D but differs from it by the presence of a special luminescent effect.

The main feature of the RAUKANTEX edge is a distinct three-dimensional structure. Several options are available: a classic rounded shape, which is ideal for facades and intermediate shelves, wavy texture for countertops and side surfaces, and a unique design with alternating corner and round elements. Such edges allow to reproduce the precisely classical design in the style of a country house; they successfully contrast with smooth surfaces, and also can be used as a visual “anchor” at the creation of monophonic furniture.