Caution: Restricted Substance Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beth Cochran
cochran@whatsuppr.com

Caution: Restricted Substance Legislation
—Ripple Effects Throughout the Supply Chain

Date: Friday, January 23, 2008
At Outdoor Retailer
Networking/Continental Breakfast: 7:00 to 7:30 AM;
Panel: 7:30 to 9 AM
Salon A-D, Downtown Marriott, Salt Lake City, Utah

Tarzana, CA. December 12, 2008 FabricLink, and TEXbase will sponsor their winter, bi-annual panel discussion of Caution: Restricted Substance Legislation—Ripple Effects Throughout the Supply Chain. This winter’s discussion will address product safety regulations and what they mean to business. The entire supply change is effected, although positive, this transition can mean inventory that is unsafe and illegal to sell. Do not be caught off guard now or in the future with consumer product safety agendas.

Panel Discussion Summary;
The Consumer Product Improvement Act of 2008 becomes effective February 10, 2009, limiting the use of lead on products for children up to the age of 12. As a result, apparel manufacturers and their retail customers may be stuck with large amounts of inventory that could be illegal to sell. The product safety law also boosts the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) funding and authority, and raises concern regarding certain types of phthalates and other questionable chemicals used within the product development process.

The impact on the entire supply chain is significant. Current global pressures will continue to increase into the future with mounting regulations on restricted substances. FabricLink and TEXbase present this Panel to address what this legislation means to Brands, Suppliers and Retailers; and to explore the supply chain’s responsibility to provide transparent production, including ways to track and insure the various components are in compliance with these new safety requirements.

FabricLink’s Industry Panels began six years ago and have become a highlight event at the Outdoor Retailer Market. Recent Panels have looked at sustainability issues related to the product development: last summer’s discussion of ECO-Logical Making Sense of Supply Chain Certification focused on the intricacies of green production. In the on-going evolution of the eco movement, there is now increased attention being paid to the relevant aspects of transparency in the production process to ensure all levels of the supply chain are aware of the other levels of protocol in regards to sustainability.



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Speakers Include:
• Textile Mill – TBA
• Major Apparel Brand – Under Armour, Bill Mickle, Vice President, Product Development
• Testing Lab – SGS U.S. Testing Co., Karen Kyllo, Ph.D., Deputy VP Global Softlines
• Retailer – TBA
• Agency – American Apparel & Footwear Assoc., Stephen Lamar, Exec VP
• Moderator – TEXbase, Joe Walkuski, President

The event will be introduced by Kathlyn Swantko, President, FabricLink Network and moderated by Joe Walkuski, CEO, TEXbase.