April 26, 2010
Company News
Events & Seminars
Toy/Children's Products
Food/Drug
Lead/Chemical
Consumer Products
Private Label/Store Brand
Responsible Sourcing
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Specialized Technology Resources, Inc.
Raising the world's expectation of product quality, safety and supply chain responsibility
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Company News
• STR Responsible Sourcing Releases Fifth Annual Report
STR Responsible Sourcing is pleased to announce its fifth annual report that includes an overview of our activities in 2009 and information on how we are meeting our commitment to uphold the UN Global Compact principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption within our sphere of influence. Read more.
Events & Seminars
• Join STR for a Webinar on Softlines Testing
STR will discuss meeting regulatory requirements and conducting performance tests during a webinar on April 28, 2010. Details and register.
• STR's Dr. Bonhoff to Speak at AAFA's Product Safety Seminars in China
Dr. Anne Bonhoff will be a panelist at AAFA's International Product Safety & Restricted Substances Conference to be held in Dongguan on May 6, 2010 and Hangzhou on May 11, 2010.
• STR to Exhibit at Jewelry Industry Show in June
Please visit STR at the 2010 JCK Las Vegas Show, booth #62104 being held on June 4-7, 2010 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.
Details and register.
Toy/Children's Products
• Toy Industry Association (TIA) Places TSCP® on Hold
The TIA recently announced that the formal certification component of the Toy Safety Certification Program® was being placed on hold pending further clarification of the federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
Read more.
• Interpretation of Children's Products
In her latest Playthings' "Play It Safe" blog, Susan DeRagon, Associate Director of Toys and Premiums at STR, discusses the CPSC's attempts to better define what constitutes a children's product. Read more.
Food/Drug
• USDA Seeks Comments on New Rule to Enhance Food Safety
Following recommendations of the Food Safety Working Group (FSWG), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is seeking comment on proposed measures to enhance food safety. Read more.
• FDA May Place Limits on Sodium in Food
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently issued a report stating that high-salt diets are putting Americans at risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, and called on the FDA to set mandatory national standards for sodium content. Read more.
• U.S. Government Agencies Focus on Measuring Progress on Food Safety
A joint workshop recently held by the FDA, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized the importance of implementing metrics to gauge the success of current policies and guide future efforts in protecting the nation's food supply. Read more.
• Faster, More Efficient E. Coli Test Developed
Scientists with the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture recently reported significant advances toward a single test that can detect both pathogenic E. coli and its toxins.
Read more.
Lead/Chemical
• New Canadian Regulations on Hazardous Products
Read more.
• Australian Interim Ban on DEHP
Australia has imposed an 18-month interim ban on toys, child care articles, and eating vessels and utensils containing DEHP that meet certain criteria. Read more.
• EPA to Investigate BPA, Consider Regulatory Actions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced plans to scrutinize the environmental impacts of BPA, a chemical widely used in the manufacture of a range of consumer and industrial products, and consider possible regulatory actions. Read more.
• States of Washington and Wisconsin Enact BPA Bans
The U.S. states of Washington and Wisconsin have recently enacted bans on specific products containing BPA. Read more.
• Denmark Imposes Temporary BPA Ban
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has imposed a temporary national ban on BPA in certain products intended for children three years of age and younger. Read more.
• EFSA Hosts International Summit on BPA
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) met recently with national experts from across Europe to discuss BPA. Read more.
Consumer Products
• FDA to Review Safety of Antibacterial Ingredient
The FDA announced recently that it is conducting a safety review of triclosan, an ingredient added to many consumer products – including liquid soaps, toothpastes, cosmetics, clothing, kitchenware, and toys – to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. Read more.
Private Label/Store Brand
• Where Do Store Brands Go From Here?
Future growth for private label goods depends on quality and performance, according to Scott MacLennan, Director of Store Brands at STR, who was quoted recently in an article in CPGmatters. Read more.
• Global Consumers Say Store Brands As Good As or Better than National Brands
A new survey reveals that most consumers around the world equate store brands with national brands on many essential brand attributes. Read more.
• Supermarket Shoppers Sticking with Store Brands
A recent nationwide study suggests that consumers will continue to favor store brand products as a way to lower their grocery bills, even as the economy recovers. Read more.
Responsible Sourcing
• U.S. Consumers Willing to Pay More for "Environmentally Friendly" Products
More than one-third of respondents to a recent survey say they would pay more for "environmentally friendly" products, even during a difficult economy. Read more.
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