The Quality Certification Alliance (QCA) has awarded QCA accreditation to supplier Spector & Co. (PPAI 168328). QCA is an independent, non-governmental accreditation organization dedicated to helping companies advance brand safety. Its certification is awarded to companies that meet rigorous qualifications on product quality, product safety, supply chain security, social accountability and environmental stewardship.

“We had a department that dealt with everyday compliance and quality processes and worked on our internal policies and procedures. It was a robust system, but there is always room for improvement, and the QCA process helped highlight our shortcomings,” says Chris Pearson, Spector & Co.’s director of compliance.

“This is a big opportunity for us as a manufacturer and for our customers. It demonstrates to the industry how much we care about the compliance, responsible sourcing, and QC process. Also, it gives our customers confidence that we are doing all that we can to protect them and their customer’s brands. QCA accreditation opens doors for new clients and brands that require QCA certified suppliers for all their orders.”

QCA-accredited companies endorse a self-certification, complete a demanding self-assessment, and then submit their headquarters and their supply base to multiple third-party audits. The QCA board uses a scorecard representing the performance of the applicant and its supply chain on the third-party audits as the foundation for granting accreditation.

Tim Brown, MAS, QCA executive director – operations, adds, “Spector & Co. has a history of responsible sourcing best practices. However, like many other QCA accredited suppliers, the process opened their eyes to a wider view of brand safety and more robust compliance best practices. The accreditation offered to promotional products suppliers goes above and beyond the average compliance program. Compliance is more than testing for CPSIA and Prop 65 regulations. World class compliance is achievable through a comprehensive program that includes so much more.”