Getting Started with QCA: A Quick Reference
Participation Eligibility
QCA participation is open to companies that use branded merchandise (promotional products, premiums and/or incentives) as part of their marketing and advertising campaigns and to industry distributors, decorators and service providers that support the mission of QCA brand safety.
Certification is offered to distributors and decorators in the promotional products industry that distribute promotional merchandise. Accreditation is offered for members of the promotional products industry that manufacture, import, decorate and/or distribute promotional merchandise.
There are four participation categories and corresponding requirements as outlined below.
Participation Categories: Requirements and Benefits
| PARTICIPATION CATEGORIES | ELIGIBLE PARTIES | REQUIREMENTS | BENEFITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliate | End-buyers (users) of promotional products/branded merchandise: brands, associations, organizations, individuals, not-for-profits, etc. | Brand safety corporate culture | Enhanced brand safety protections |
| Supports your ethical sourcing objectives and programs | |||
| Ability to influence and improve an industry | |||
| Advocate | Distributors in the promotional products industry | Public commitment to the responsible sourcing of promotional products | Recognized by end-buyers for commitment to responsible sourcing and brand safety |
| Meet transparency and engagement requirements | Included on Advocate List and participate on Advocacy Council | ||
| Certified Distributor & Decorator | Distributors and decorators in the promotional products industry | Complete QCA Compliance Certification Program | Guided compliance program development and validation |
| Re-certify every two years | Listing in QCA Certified Distributor or Decorator section of the website | ||
| Accredited Supplier | Suppliers in the promotional products industry | Complete QCA Compliance Accreditation Program | Highest level of ethical sourcing achievement and recognition in the industry |
| Re-accredit every two years | Cost savings and efficiencies from quality, environmental, process and policy improvements | ||
| *For more information and fee structures send an email to participation@qcalliance.org | |||
