The Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), Chicago, the promotional product industry’s only independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping companies provide safe products, has awarded QCA Accreditation to Salt Lake City-based SnugZ USA.
“The saying ‘It wouldn’t be easy but it will be worth it’ definitely applies to achieving QCA Accreditation,” said Brandon Mackay, SnugZ USA president. “Suppliers and distributors must educate themselves and implement stringent standards as they pertain to supply chain control as well as testing and auditing of their companies and products to preserve this wonderful industry against sub-par companies and products. We have taken great pride in going through the QCA Certification process to ensure our customers and end-users that their employees, clients and company brands are safe when choosing SnugZ.”
SnugZ USA join the ranks of 18 companies that have previously met the rigorous qualifications to achieve QCA Accreditation: Avaline; Barton Nelson Inc.; BDA Inc.; Broder Bros.; Bullet; Cutter & Buck; Dard Products Inc.; Fanda Enterprises Inc. dba PromoFactory; Garyline; Gemline; Gordon Sinclair; Jetline; JournalBooks/TimePlanner Calendars; Leed’s; Logomark; MMI; Prime Line; and Sweda Company LLC.
QCA Accredited companies have endorsed a self-certification, completed a rigorous self-assessment, and then submitted their headquarters and their supply base to multiple third-party audits. The QCA board uses a scorecard representing the performance of the applicant and its supply chain on the third-party audits as the foundation for granting accreditation.
“Having a company such as SnugZ USA successfully navigate the QCA Accreditation process fills a very important product category for the growing group of end-buyers and distributors who are requesting only QCA Certified product offerings,” said Brent Stone, QCA executive director – operations. “Hand sanitizers and health care products are directly absorbed into the body and have very specific requirements for medical claims, content and labeling. These are not product categories that you can just source at the next Canton Fair for the purpose of expanding your product categories. Rather, these categories require expertise, and relying on a foreign factory to know what the requirements are and then to meet these requirements is a scary proposition. Unfortunately, there is perhaps even a greater risk when it comes to the candy and mints that are being manufactured in China.”
For more information about QCA accreditation and to inquire about the process and benefits received, email [email protected].
About QCA
Chicago-based Quality Certification Alliance is an independent, accreditation organization whose mission is to elevate the standards by which industry firms that import and/or manufacture promotional products provide consistently safe, high-quality, socially compliant and environmentally conscientious merchandise. QCA Accreditation is granted to companies who complete an independent third-party audit and comply with stringent standards, which are based upon a combination of state and national laws, international standards and industry-accepted best practices that are recognized for their strength and effectiveness by QCA Accredited companies, the promotional products industry and end-user clients.
QCA was formed in July 2008, and today 19 companies have meet the rigorous qualifications to achieve QCA Accreditation—Avaline; Barton Nelson Inc.; BDA Inc.; Broder Bros.; Bullet; Cutter & Buck; Dard Products Inc.; Fanda Enterprises Inc. dba PromoFactory; Garyline; Gemline; Gordon Sinclair; Jetline; JournalBooks/TimePlanner Calendars; Leed’s; Logomark Inc.; MMI; Prime Line; SnugZ USA; and Sweda Company LLC—with others soon to complete the process.
In July 2010, the QCA Distributor Advocacy Council was created to formalize the relationship the organization has with distributors who understand the value compliance programs have in building stronger relationships with suppliers, creating competitive advantage in the marketplace and building loyalty with their end-buyer clients. It is currently comprised of 10 companies, which represent more than $700 million in annual promotional products sales.
D E (Denise) Fenton serves as executive director – compliance, and Brent Stone serves as executive director – operations.
For more information, visit the Quality Certification Alliance’s website.
