June 9th, 2016
Top Story: Congress Passes Chemical-Safety Reform Bill
This week the U.S. Senate passed legislation to update and re form the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), creating a new system for the EP A to evaluate and manage chemical risks. Last month the House of Representatives approved the bill with a n overwhelming vote of 403 to 12, and it n ow heads to the President's desk to become law. Its  final passage this week represents a multi-year, bipartisan effort to address concerns that the TSCA, unchanged over the past 40 years, has failed to adequately address product safety, resulting in a patchwork of laws at the state level. The bill preserves existing state product safety laws but aims to reduce the need for state action to provide greater certainty to businesses. 


Prop 65: Recent Notices Issued
Prop 65, a California state law, requires businesses to notify consumers when products contain one of approximately 800 chemicals on a list maintained by the state and updated every year. The law allows any individual to file lawsuits against companies to enforce Prop 65. Below are some of the recently-filed notices impacting footwear: 

Sandals
Alleged Violators : Celebrity International Inc.; Skidders Footwear Inc.
Chemicals : Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
Filed by : John Moore
Date FiledMay 26, 2016 

Sandals
Alleged Violators Viva Bargain Center, Inc.; Viva Bargain Center; LA Luo Cheng, Inc.
ChemicalDi-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
Filed by: Consumer Advocacy Group, Inc.
Date Filed: May 25, 2016 

Children's  Rain Boots
Alleged ViolatorsBurlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation; Burlington Stores, Inc. dba Burlington Coat Factory; Burlington Coat Factory Store 766; Yoki Fashion International, LLC; Yoki Fashion Industries, LLC; Yoki Shoes, LLC
Chemicals: Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
Filed by: Consumer Advocacy Group, Inc.
Date Filed: May 25, 2016

Infant Shoes
Alleged Violators Ross Stores, Inc.; Ross Stores, Inc. dba dd's DISCOUNTS; Oceanlink International, Inc.
Chemical: Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
Filed by: Consumer Advocacy Group, Inc.
Date Filed: May 13, 2016

Sandals
Alleged Violators:  Crazy Q Bargain
Chemical : Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
Filed by : Consumer Advocacy Group, Inc.
Date Filed: April 20, 2016
NOTICE

Women's Shoes
Alleged Violators: Only 123 Fashion; Pinky Footwear, Inc.; Pinky Footwear; 123 Fashion
Chemical: Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
Filed by: Consumer Advocacy Group, Inc.
Date Filed: April 20, 2016
Children's Footwear
Alleged Violators: Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation; Burlington Coat Factory Store 745; Burlington Stores, Inc. dba Burlington Coat Factory; Yoki Fashion International, LLC; Yoki Fashion Industries, LLC; Yoki Shoes, LLC
Chemical: Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
Filed by: Consumer Advocacy Group, Inc.
Date Filed: April 20, 2016

Children's Footwear
Alleged ViolatorsRoss Stores, Inc.; Ross Stores, Inc. dba dd's DISCOUNTS
Chemical: Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
Filed by: Consumer Advocacy Group, Inc.
Date Filed: April 20, 2016

Paolo Moretti Sandals
Alleged Violators: Ross Stores, Inc.; Ross Stores, Inc. dba dd's DISCOUNTS; Glamour Footwear Original, LLC
ChemicalDi-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
Filed by: Consumer Advocacy Group, Inc.
Date Filed: April 14, 2016

July 2016: Product Safety Updates at Footwear Sourcing Intel Summit NYC
We invite you to join 125 footwear sourcing and compliance execs, directors and managers at the 2016 Footwear Sourcing Intel Summit in NYC, the only event focussed 100% on global footwear production and sourcing issues.  Attendees will receive important updates on social and product safety compliance and explore key supply chain innovations and trends.

The Summit begins with a cocktail networking reception on Wolverine Worldwide's roof-deck patio in midtown Monday night July 18th. On July 19th, the full day summit takes place at the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street.  This summit features footwear executives and experts discussing footwear sourcing and factory compliance data and trends in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico and other countries, as well as a look at 3D printing. 

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August 2016: Product Safety Updates at the Footwear Forum in Portland 
The footwear industry is in an age of disruptionEverything we do is changing from how we design, produce, ship and sell shoes - making it even more important for companies and employees from a wide swath of departments to understand changes across various segments and work together to address them.  Be sure to join us in Portland on August 18th for our Footwear Forum to hear experts and industry leaders provide critical updates on global sourcing, trade/customs/import, supply chains, compliance, and retail. The Footwear Forum is a one-day event held at Portland Timbers Stadium. 
 
We're Back @ Timbers Stadium!!