Industry News: Quality Certification Alliance Applies For Nonprofit Status


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Industry News: Quality Certification Alliance Applies For Nonprofit Status

Issue: 2009jun

Seattle, Washington-based Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), an independent accreditation organization formed to address the need for measurable product safety compliance within the promotional products industry, is now ready to form a nonprofit organization. Last Friday, QCA filed articles of incorporation for not-for-profit status with the Internal Revenue Service.

Since the inception of QCA, its 14 founding members have been building the group and its standards. The common standards by which QCA measures compliance are based on a combination of state and national laws, international standards and industry-accepted best practices that are recognized for their strength and effectiveness by QCA members, the promotional products industry and end-user clients.

Once the 501(c)6 status is granted later this year, QCA will be able to open itself up for membership to industry firms that import and/or manufacture promotional products.

“The organization always envisioned itself opening up for membership,” says D E Fenton, QCA executive director. “For the past five months, we’ve been working diligently to fulfill our commitment to the industry to develop an organization and provide tools that will serve to validate members’ compliance efforts. With bylaws complete and our application now made, that process has been accelerated.”

QCA is also in the process of developing a number of member benefits to help industry practitioners increase their knowledge of today’s important issues. In addition to having a leadership role in improving industry standards, QCA members benefit from negotiated audit costs, special pricing on X-ray fluorescent guns for product testing and lower advertising rates within industry publications. Members will also receive access to tools that help with general certificates of conformity as well as regular updates on the ever-changing laws that affect companies’ ability to safely and confidently do business.

Accreditation is granted to member companies whose policies and procedures meet compliance standards in five areas: product safety, product quality, social compliance, supply chain safety and environmental stewardship.

“Given how dynamic, complex and sometimes vague regulatory issues can be, it is useful to have a group of companies committed to quality that can share knowledge and best practices,” says Jonathan Isaacson, CEO of Lawrence, Massachusetts-based Gemline and QCA founding member.

QCA was formed in July 2008 by 14 companies that import and/or manufacture promotional products:

Avaline
Barton Nelson, Inc.
BDA Inc.
Broder Bros.
Dard Products, Inc.
Fanda Enterprises, Inc.
Gemline
Gordon Industries, Ltd.
Leed’s
Litehouse Custom Printing, Inc.
Logomark, Inc.
MMI International Trade
Prime Resources Corp.
Sweda Company, LLC

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