Tag: Compliance program

Frequently Asked Questions about Compliance

Staff Writer

For a word that means so many different things to different people, it makes sense to ensure that we’re all on the same page when it comes to our understanding of compliance. Particularly so when it comes to the manufacture and supply of promotional products, where the meaning and application of the term differs from company to company. And with the industry focus shifting more and more toward compliance, I thought that for this week’s column a review of some of the most frequently asked questions that we get about compliance might be helpful.

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Why You Should Be Qualifying Your Suppliers

Brent Stone

When selecting a supplier for an order, there are many factors that should go into your decision. If you stop at who gives the biggest rebate or has the shiniest new products, you are taking on more risk than you might imagine.

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Compliance Programs: Social Accountability Is A Good Place To Start

Brent Stone

While programs like WRAP and FLA have merit, they just address one area of compliance—and they may not transfer through to your organization.

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When Do You Have Enough Compliance?

Brent Stone

I was recently asked this question by an industry-leading distributor. He regularly has to field compliance inquiries from his customers and is frustrated by the wide range of responses he gets from suppliers.

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Should I? Or Shouldn’t I? The Value Of A Compliance Program

Brent Stone

Our industry seems to be struggling with the question of whether or not to commit time, effort and money to developing compliance programs. It’s an oversimplification, but you can group our industry into five basic categories on this topic.

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“Picture Day” – Why Factory Audits Are Not Enough

Staff Writer

Remember back in the day when you combed your hair, brushed your teeth, put on your best pair of khakis and a new shirt—all for your classroom photo? That’s what factories do on audit day.

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The Golden Sample: Why Testing Alone Isn’t Enough

Brent Stone

Requesting product safety testing results from the factory about the specific item it is making for you is a natural first step. Seems easy enough, right?

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Warning: Walls May be Hazardous to Your Health

Kyle A. Richardson

An architecture firm recently launched an online database of construction materials manufactured with harmful chemicals. How long until promotional products face the same scrutiny?

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CPSIA Exemptions: Excerpts with Brent Stone

Kyle A. Richardson

More information from QCA’s Brent Stone about the Small Batch Manufacturer’s Registry and what distributors should know when looking for a compliant supplier.

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Are You Meaningfully Different?

Brent Stone

Today there are more brands, more products and more choices. But, in reality, it’s just more of the same.

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