May 18, 2009
Company News
Events & Seminars
Consumer Products
Food/Drug
Toy/Children's Products
Apparel/Textile
Responsible Sourcing
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Specialized Technology Resources, Inc.
Raising
the world𠏋 expectation of product quality, safety and supply
chain responsibility
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Company News
• STR Canton MA/U.S. Laboratory Achieves ISO
17025 Accreditation
STR is pleased to announce
that our Canton MA/U.S. laboratory achieved ISO 17025
accreditation in April 2009 from ACLASS for key methodologies
that include seven microbiological food tests, six chemistry
food tests and two toy tests comprising lead and phthalate
testing. For more information, please contact Mark Guilmain.
• CPSC Approves STR Taiwan as an Accredited
Third Party Laboratory for Lead Testing
The
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced that
STR's laboratory in Taiwan has been accredited by the CPSC for
testing lead paint and lead in children's metal jewelry under
compliance with the US federal restrictions on lead. Along
with our other laboratories in US, Hong Kong, Shanghai,
Shenzhen, India and UK, STR Taiwan now offers lead testing as
per US regulations.
• Susan DeRagon's Blog Explains CPSC's New
Lead Testing Protocol
Susan DeRagon, Associate
Director of the Toy and Premium Division at STR, recently
began blogging on Playthings?website. Her latest "Play It
Safe" blog addresses the composite testing protocol for
determining lead content in paint and other similar surface
coatings, which was recently approved by the Consumer Product
Safety Commission. Read
more.
Events & Seminars
• STR to Exhibit at CHINAPLAS
2009
STR will participate at the upcoming
CHINAPLAS 2009 Exhibition, on May 18-21 at the China Import
& Export Fair Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou, PR China. Please
visit us at booth N21 in Hall 9.2. Full
Article.
• STR To Participate at the AAFA Product
Safety/Supply Chain Compliance Seminar & Exhibition
STR will participate at the American Apparel
and Footwear Association (AAFA) Product Safety/Supply Chain
Compliance Seminar & Exhibition on June 11, 2009 in New
York City. ... [Full Article]
Consumer Products
• President Obama Appoints New Head of
Consumer Product Safety Commission
President
Obama recently nominated former South Carolina Education
Superintendent Inez Moore Tenenbaum to head the CPSC, saying
the agency "must do more to protect the American public." The
President also will expand the agency𠏋 three-member commission
to five, and ask Congress for an additional $107 million in
funding. Read
more.
Food/Drug
• Nanotechnology Research Could Improve Food
Safety
Could tiny particles become the next tool
in the food safety arsenal? Researchers at the University of
Missouri have discovered that low concentrations of zinc
oxide, which is inexpensive and widely available, inhibited
the growth of both E. coli bacteria and two fungi that affect
fruit. Read
more.
• Food Industry Pays Inspectors to Help
Overcome Food Safety Gaps
In response to huge
financial losses from food recalls, a decline in consumer
confidence, and lack of oversight from the Food & Drug
Administration, some sectors of the food industry are working
with other government agencies to implement food safety
programs. Some food safety advocates have expressed concern
about potential conflicts of interest, and argue that a
well-run federal inspection system is still needed. Read
more.
• FDA Slated to Receive Largest-Ever Funding
Increase
President Obama recently requested an
additional $300 million for the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), which would help the agency rebuild the ranks of
inspectors and scientists. President Obama's selection to head
the FDA, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, has also pledged to make
protecting the country's food supply a major priority. Read
more.
• Lacey Act Guidance
Document
The United States Customs and Border
Patrol (CBP) recently published a guidance document which
outlines the import declaration requirements and enforcement
schedule of the Lacey Act. On April 1, 2009, the CBP began
accepting the electronic submission of the required data
elements, and enforcement began May 1, 2009, for specific
product categories. Read
more.
Toy/Children's Products
• Mega Brands, Manufacturer of Magnetic
Building Sets, To Pay $1.1 Million for Reporting Violations
Mega Brands America, formerly Rose Art
Industries, agreed to pay a $1.1 million civil penalty for
failing to provide the government with timely information
about dangers to children with Magnetix magnetic building
sets, as required under federal law. In 2006, Rose Art
recalled nearly four million Magnetix sets for users under the
age of six; in 2007 Mega Brands America expanded the recall of
Magnetix sets for users of any age. Read
more.
• Industry Brings Concerns on Tracking Label
Program to CPSC
The Consumer Product Safety
Commission recently held a forum on the tracking label program
for children's products, which is scheduled to go into effect
on August 14, 2009. The program requires that children𠏋
product manufacturers place permanent distinguishing marks on
their products and packaging so that consumers can identify
the product in the event of a recall. Many manufacturing and
retailing organizations presented ideas, proposals and
concerns about the program during the event. Read
more.
• Concerns About Crib Safety Prompt Action by
Toys
Concerns about the safety of a popular,
drop-side crib design, which has led to 21 recalls of 4.2
million cribs over the past two years, has prompted Toys "R"
Us to begin phasing out the cribs. Products involved in the
recalls have been linked to at least five infant deaths and 16
cases in which babies were trapped by parts of a crib. In
response, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is working to
develop a tougher crib standard, with a focus on durability. Read
more.
Apparel/Textile
• Garment Industry in Bangladesh Still
Failing To Comply With Wage and Workplace Standards
A comprehensive report, prepared by
Bangladesh's Directorate of Inspection for Factories and
Establishments, found that the majority of garment factories
do not comply with many wage and workplace standards. An
editorial calls on the Bangladeshi government to impose
penalities on noncompliant manufacturers, and predicts greater
pressure from around the world for Bangladesh to implement
international core labor standards to benefit both workers and
factory owners. Read
more.
• Retailers Expanding Discount Designer Lines
Retailers are increasingly focused on offering
less-expensive clothing collections that are still fashionable
and well made for their budget-conscious shoppers. STR works
closely with retailers, manufacturers, and importers from
around the world to help them achieve this balance of quality,
style, and value. Read
more. For more details on STR's apparel and footwear
services, please click
here.
Responsible Sourcing
• World's Most Ethical Companies Named by
U.S. Institute
The Ethisphere Institute
recently named 99 companies from 35 different industries as
the world's most ethical, based on best practices in business
ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption, and
sustainability. The annual listing is designed to encourage
ethical practices within the global business community. Read
more.
• Corporate Responsibility Thrives Despite
Recession
Companies have discovered that
implementing corporate responsibility standards makes good
business sense. Many initiatives help cut costs or sustain
supplies, while also improving a company's reputation in the
global marketplace. Read
more.
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