SGS Co-Sponsored Seminar on Softlines Product Safety Draws 100

FAIRFIELD, N.J. and NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The fifth semi-annual seminar on product safety regulations for apparel and accessories co-sponsored by SGS Consumer Testing Services and Greenberg Traurig, LLP, drew more than 100 brand manufacturers, importers and retailers last month. The program, "Product Safety Compliance: The Journey Continues in 2012," addressed regulatory developments that industry members need to understand in order to avoid costly recalls and protect their brands from adverse publicity.

Seminar topics included softlines-related updates on:

• The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
• The CPSC's Reasonable Testing Program
• The new CPSC Product Safety Information Database
• California Proposition 65
• Washington State's Children's Safe Products Act
• Enforcement cooperation between the CPSC and customs

The presentation at Greenberg Traurig's offices in New York included in-depth explanations of the newest compliance requirements, strategies for reducing risk, and insights ranging from the major players behind Proposition 65 litigation to how to respond to a Report of Harm product complaint submitted by a consumer to the CPSC's Product Safety Information Database.

Greenberg Traurig presenters were David Callet, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney focusing on product safety consulting, CPSC compliance and products liability litigation; James Mattesich, a Sacramento, CA-based attorney and former counsel for several California state agencies whose areas of concentration include Proposition 65 and other regulatory compliance issues for consumer products companies; and Robert D. Stang, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney in the firm's Global Trade Practice with over 20 years of experience in handling trade and customs issues.

SGS presenters were Louann Spirito, Director of Technical Support, Softlines, and Paul Milne, Technical Manager, Restricted Substances, both with SGS US Testing Company, Consumer Testing Services.

"It's a challenge to keep up with the constantly evolving safety regulations that affect our industry. These seminars pull everything together in an intensive four-hour session led by people who follow these issues on a daily basis and know precisely how these rules apply to apparel and accessories," said Nora Lally, Director, Testing/Color & QA Operations, ANN INC. "It saves time and provides a road map for sync'ing our internal controls with regulatory requirements."

"We began these free seminars with SGS three years ago as the regulatory landscape was becoming increasingly complex, and the consistently high number of repeat attendees shows that people place a high value on getting comprehensive and accurate information about safety compliance issues," said David Callet, Greenberg Traurig. "Our goal is to help those in the consumer goods business mitigate risk, avoid potentially costly compliance violations and prevent damage to brand reputation."

About SGS Consumer Testing Services

SGS Consumer Testing Services, a division of the SGS Group, is the world's leading verification, testing and certification company. The company's comprehensive testing, product inspection, process assessment and technical services cover the entire supply chain from product development to retailing for electrical products, wireless products, soft line products, hard line products and food products. SGS' global network and expertise provide a single consolidated source that can help manufacturers, suppliers and retailers reduce risk, improve efficiency and product quality, and ensure compliance to both national and international standards. Parent company SGS Group has more than 64,000 employees and over 1,250 offices and laboratories in 140 countries. For more information about Consumer Testing Services, visit www.us.sgs.com/cts  

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, full-service law firm with approximately 1800 attorneys serving clients from more than 30 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Greenberg Traurig represents clients in many federal and state regulatory and litigation matters, including product safety compliance, customs and international trade and California regulatory matters, including California Prop 65 litigation and counseling. The firm was Chambers and Partners' USA Law Firm of the Year in 2007 and among the Top 3 in the International Law Firm of the Year at the 2009 The Lawyer Awards. For additional information, please visit www.gtlaw.com.

SOURCE SGS Consumer Testing Services