08.05.09
Proposed Label Regulations Questioned by CSPA
The Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) recently expressed concerns regarding legislation (H.R. 3057) introduced by Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY).
“While we agree with the general premise of Congressman Israel’s legislation about providing consumers with more information about the ingredients in products, we have significant issues with the current draft of this legislation, said Chris Cathcart, president, CSPA.
“Our industry announced last fall the development of our new Consumer Product Ingredient Communication Initiative which creates a uniform system for providing ingredient information to consumers in a meaningful and easy-to-understand manner. It is largely based upon the labeling conventions in use today in the U.S. for food, drugs and cosmetics that consumers are already familiar with,” Mr. Cathcart added.
Current federal law requires that the product manufacturer include on the point of purchase label information about potential hazards, product ingredients contributing to those hazards, appropriate handling and storage, applicable first aid information, and how to protect children.
“We believe the current laws governing the point of purchase label provides to the consumer the most important information, and that additional detail on the product label, as proposed by Congressman Israel in his legislation, could deter consumers from these very important product instructions on safe use and disposal,” Mr. Cathcart said.
The CSPA’s voluntary Consumer Product Ingredient Communication Initiative becomes effective in January, 2010 and allows participating companies to provide information on product ingredients on the product label; on the manufacturers’, distributors’, or importers’ website; through a toll-free telephone number; or through some other non-electronic means.
“Although ours is a voluntary program, we are reaching out to environmental and other non-government organizations to pursue public policy based on our initiative,” Mr. Cathcart said.“Any public policy on product labeling, however, must preserve the instructive risk-based information on the point-of-purchase label to help protect consumers. Our products are safe when used according to label directions. We look forward to working with Congressman Israel on this important issue as our initiative moves forward.”
More info: www.cspa.org
The SDA has a New Home in Washington, DC
The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) is going to L Street—1331 L Street NW, Suite 650, to be specific—as of Aug. 1. The trade association for the U.S. cleaning products industry is moving from 1500 K St. NW after nearly a decade at that address.
SDA's new headquarters in Washington. |
“SDA will still be in the center of Washington, D.C., offering our members and staff a modern, convenient, Metro-accessible location,” said Ernie Rosenberg, SDA president and chief executive officer.
The SDA moved to Washington, D.C. in 2000 after 75 years in New York City.
Its new address 1331 L Street NW, Suite 650, Washington, D.C. 20005.The main phone number will remain the same,(202) 347-2900.
More info: www.cleaning101.com