Door Opener
Today, QCA has more than doubled in size. Thirteen companies have achieved QCA accreditation, the second generation of applicants is finishing the requirements and is nearing certification and the third generation of applicants has begun its journey toward accreditation.
Becoming QCA certified is not simple. The requirements are rigorous, and the standards are high. (See sidebar for details on the process.) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Transportation are just a few of the agencies providing regulatory guidance. It can take a company six to 18 months to complete the program, and not every company that applies will actually meet the criteria to become accredited.
Since 1998, Lisa Horn, CAS, (a.k.a. The Publicity Gal) has been reporting on the issues that matter most to the promotional products industry. Currently, she writes about brand safety and responsible sourcing on behalf of Quality Certification Alliance (QCA). Reach her at lisa@lisakhorn.com.