This is the second addition to the Advocacy Council in the last six weeks.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (May 6, 2019) – Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), the only coalition dedicated to ensuring accountability and independent validation of corporate responsibility throughout the promotional product industry’s supply chain, has expanded its Advocacy Council with the addition of Memphis, Tennessee-based Signet, Inc.
The Advocacy Council [previously Distributor Advocacy Council (DAC)] is comprised of industry advocates who are leading the way for brand safety through the responsible sourcing of promotional products. Advocates recognize QCA as the standard by which industry firms consistently deliver socially compliant, safe, high-quality and environmentally conscientious merchandise. Together, the Advocacy Council, QCA Accredited Suppliers and end buyers of promotional products are forming new levels of collaboration to effectively ensure supply chain transparency and control that protects brand reputations.
“While suppliers have much accountability when it comes to product safety and social responsibility, distributors also play an integral role by connecting end buyers with products that not only support their brand but also protect it,” said Tim Brown, MAS, QCA’s executive director of operations. “One past criticism was that distributors didn’t have an opportunity to meaningfully contribute within the QCA structure. As a part of the new participation model that debuted in January, we redesigned the Advocacy Council to give distributors the ability to participate in the ways they had been requesting.”
These changes prompted Signet, which was one of the companies that formed the initial DAC, to become a part of the new and improved Advocacy Council. “Previously, there was little opportunity for participation at the level we were seeking, despite good intentions,” said Elizabeth Tate, Signet CEO. “We are glad to see this change. The new participation model gives us the ability to have greater input, be heard and to have more significant influence.”
David Tate, Signet COO, continued: “Distributors have an important role to offer since we are the ones closest to end buyers. Without us, much valuable input can be missed. If we help, inform and encourage suppliers and their processes, it helps to improve our individual companies and, without question, this improvement also pushes out to the industry as a whole.”
This is the second addition to the Advocacy Council in the last month. Ethical Swag began participating in March.
For more information about QCA’s Advocacy Council and to inquire about the process and benefits received, contact participation@qcalliance.org.
About QCA:
Quality Certification Alliance is the only coalition dedicated to ensuring accountability and independent validation of corporate responsibility throughout the promotional product industry’s supply chain. It brings together users, distributor advocates, certified distributors and decorators, and accredited suppliers with the mission to elevate the standards by which promotional products firms consistently provide socially compliant, safe, high-quality and environmentally conscientious merchandise.
QCA Accreditation is granted to companies who complete an independent third-party audit and comply with stringent standards, which are based upon a combination of state and national laws, international standards and industry-accepted best practices that are recognized for their strength and effectiveness.
Tim Brown, MAS is QCA’s executive director – operations. D E (Denise) Fenton serves as executive director – compliance.
For more information about QCA Accreditation and to inquire about the process and benefits received, e-mail tbrown@qcalliance.org.
For more information about the Quality Certification Alliance, visit www.qcalliance.org.
Like QCA on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/QCAlliance, follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/QCAlliance and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/quality-certification-alliance/.
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