Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), Chicago, has expanded its services for distributors and apparel decorators by introducing its compliance certification program, which builds upon the existing Advocacy Council and allows distributors and decorators to further their commitment to brand safety and responsible sourcing.
“Today, large companies are interested in vendors who not only understand the importance of safety and compliance, but also insist on it as it relates to every component of the manufacturing and import process,” says Tim Brown, MAS, QCA’s executive director of operations. “Certification allows distributor and decorator companies to take the next step toward greater, more lucrative opportunities by working with larger companies because they not only understand the issues, but also have third-party verification of the processes and documentation necessary to meet these buyers’ demands.”
The program begins with companies completing a thorough self-assessment, including a gap analysis to identify process and procedure voids and requires supporting documentation for review by the QCA Compliance Committee. From there, they build upon the self-assessment by developing a comprehensive compliance manual that ensures they have an effective program for detecting and deferring unsafe or non-compliant product before it enters the supply chain, according to the organization.
After completing this process, a series of audits are authorized for the company’s headquarters, where corrective action may be required before certification is granted.
For more information about QCA’s Certification Program, click here. — D.S.
