Audience:
Open industry. All apparel and footwear industry professionals, regardless of AAFA membership, are encouraged to participate. Only individuals who register will receive a copy of the PDF presentation and link to the recorded program.
Description:
Apparel and footwear increasingly use high-tech chemicals in all aspects of clothing design and manufacturing. From anti-microbial nanotech, to fire retardants, to jaw-dropping new fabrics, to finishing chemicals for low-maintenance wearing, chemicals are often instrumental in creating and maintaining brand advantages. But what’s in it? Everyone from federal regulators to consumers wants to know. Yet how does your company know—and prove—what’s in its brands, especially when so many chemicals are involved in the manufacture and production of every single item. Even worse, the Lautenberg Act has virtually guaranteed that the rules will be changing for a long time, particularly in the new Trump regulatory environment. How do you ensure you focus on the right end goals, get on top of the problem—and stay there? We’ll discuss the end game; knowing what chemicals are in and on your products.
Attendees will learn:
- The importance of knowing what chemicals are in and on your products.
- The challenges and benefits of developing a chemical inventory for your products.
- A network approach to achieving the end game.
- How to achieve significant cost savings in your testing and chemical compliance programs.
- How to build a future-proof program that scales.
Speakers:
Gene Rider
Principal
Exponent, Inc.
Gene spent the past 30 years focused on the design, development, manufacturing, and qualification of consumer goods. He’s reviewed the product quality and safety management systems at hundreds of consumer goods factories in Asia, North America, and Europe. He also has first-hand knowledge of typical consumer goods manufacturing methods, equipment, workflow, quality/safety systems, and product traceability. Gene recently joined Exponent, a science-based company that solves complex technical problems. Prior to Exponent, he was President, Intertek Consumer Goods North America.
Matt Smith
Founder
ICIX
Matt is the Founder of ICIX, where he is responsible for determining the company’s vision and cultivating strategic relationships. A recognized authority in supply chain risk management and product safety, he works with governments and advocacy groups to determine and champion industry-wide supply chain solutions.
Moderator:
Megan Balkovic
Sponsorship Development Manager
AAFA
Megan is an experienced association professional with a background in program management, membership, volunteer coordination, and sponsorships. She supports AAFA’s Premier Sponsor program, fosters sponsor development, and facilitates webinars. Prior to joining AAFA, Megan directed the governance, volunteer, and membership programs for the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. She spent eight years cultivating corporate and individual sponsorships and managing pre-college engineering and math education programs with the Junior Engineering Technical Society and MATHCOUNTS Foundation. Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
Sponsored by: