Laws and Regulations

The new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act's (CPSIA) requirements for phthalates in children's toys went into effect of February 10th. The act limits the amount of phthalates—materials used to make plastics more durable and softer—to less than 1/10 of 1 percent and could have a significant impact on some industry products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a draft report seeking input on exactly what items should be included. Quoting from the report:

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) officially goes into effect on February 10, 2009. The bill, which mandates safe levels of lead in various children's products, could have wide-reaching effects on the promotional products industry.  Suppliers and distributors alike will be held responsible for providing and selling products that meet the safety standards laid out in the regulation.

Key leaders in the promotional products industry today announced the formation of the Quality Certification Alliance, LLC (QCA), an independent, nongovernmental organization dedicated to elevating the standard in providing consistently safe, high quality, socially compliant and environmentally conscientious merchandise to Fortune 500 companies and small businesses. Executives from the organization’s founding companies officially launched QCA today at the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Expo in Las Vegas. The QCA certification process assures merchandise manufactured, imprinted and imported by member companies conforms to established domestic and international product laws, regulations and standards. QCA has garnered wide support from numerous suppliers and distributors, including Avaline; Barton

EVER SINCE PRODUCT recalls hit the promotional and retail sectors this past summer, Proposition 65 has been the watchword on the lips of both suppliers and distributors. With the start of the 2008 trade show season, the sense of greater awareness became especially evident. “Prop 65 compliant” signage is more prominently displayed. Education programs on the law are offered. And suppliers are adopting product designations and new testing procedures to ensure they’re keeping pace with Prop 65, which is said to be the most strict product-safety law in the country. Otherwise known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986,