September 2023 Newsletter
Fall SPSP Webinar
On September 13, 2023, SPSP will present a webinar on Kids in Danger’s new Design Safety Toolkit, which is a new program first launched in July 2022. The Toolkit is a free, online course designed to provide small- and medium-sized children’s products companies with the information and tools they need to design, develop, and market safer products and services. The Toolkit is a much-needed resource in the children’s products market.
Below are the dates for the remaining 2023 seminars:
October 11, 2023 - Warnings update including ANSI Z535.4
November 8, 2023 - Instructions update including ANSI Z535.6 and Z535.7
December 6, 2023 - Recall effectiveness including CPSC’s efforts at improving recalls
To register for any webinars, go to Link
2023 CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN FINAL STAGE
The 2023 Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program is near its conclusion. Final test results will be provided to class participants in late September. In November, there will be a global news release announcing the new class of Certified Product Safety Professionals. This will be the first class completing the program under the auspices of Virginia Tech. The program began in March with eight candidates in an opening workshop at Virginia Tech’s Arlington Research Center.
This is the 5th class to complete the program since it was started by SPSP in collaboration with ADK Information Services. The Consumer Product Safety Certification Services Board, an independent affiliate of SPSP, has overseen the policies and procedures of the certification program.
FINAL 2023 PROGRAM: CRISIS MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AT UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, ST. LOUIS (UMSL), COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
SPSP is partnering with UMSL to bring a different formatted program to the consumer product safety field. The program’s format will be in a concentrated conference style over three days on the UMSL campus. It will take place on November 7-9, 2023. The program will consist of team exercises and instruction by product safety leaders from industry, academia, and consultants from the legal and engineering fields. Class members will learn about the nine organizational elements that comprise the crisis management basic infrastructure. These will constitute the operational context for responding to a specific crisis faced by a company. Each participant will create a crisis management plan focused on the needs of their company.
Four of the nine elements are: (1) initial identification of the crisis and its characteristics and requirements for response, (2) identification of the mission of the Crisis Management team that will coordinate the company’s day-to-day response, (3) implementation of the communications strategy which includes actions by company employees, key stakeholders, supply chain partners, regulatory authorities, general media, social media, and consumers, and (4) identification of the operational support necessary due to the crisis, including data management, customer service, replacement products, and other factors. The nine elements will be shared with company employees who will be directly or indirectly involved in the crisis response.
Candidates will complete the initial framework of their plan at the closing workshop on November 9th. The participants will then finalize their plan and submit it by November 19. All participants who complete their plans will earn a UMSL Certificate of Crisis Management. Tuition for the conference is $2,000. A full description and abstract are available at this site. Individuals can register for the program at this link. Paid members of SPSP will receive a $150 discount on the tuition fee. To become a full paid member of SPSP (cost $125), individuals can sign up here.
ICPHSO Events
ICPHSO Power Hour webinar: ICPHSO will present a Power Hour Webinar with the European Commission on September 21, 2023, at 8:00 am EDT with an “Introduction to the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR).” It is open to everyone. To register for free, go to https://icphso.org/page/PowerHour2023_GPSR. Questions or suggested topics can be sent to info@icphso.org in advance.
ICPHSO is holding its 2023 International Symposium on October 26-27, 2023, at IKEA headquarters in Almhult, Sweden. The two-day symposium’s theme is: “ICPHSO International Symposium 2023 – Celebrating 30 Years of Global Collaboration.” Registration, hotel, travel information and sponsorship/exhibitor opportunities can all be found on ICPHSO’s website at: https://icphso.org/page/2023Symposium.