The Product Safety Awareness Program is part of a larger PPAI initiative to create confidence in promotional products as an advertising medium at every level. In conjunction with Promotional Products Work! Week and PPAI’s End Buyer/User Research, the Product Safety Awareness Program helps position the medium as a powerful and safe marketing strategy. The Product Safety Awareness Program is currently focused on education. As part of the program, all industry companies who want to access the PPAI marketplace through trade-show exhibit space, sponsorships and advertising must obtain Product Safety Aware status. 

Note: Any alternative criteria for qualifying will be determined by PPAI’s Product Responsibility Action Group (PRAG)

Each company must designate a roster employee to serve as a Product Safety Ambassador. The employee must complete four hours of product safety education in order for the company to receive the Product Safety Aware status. 

Required program elements:

• CAS Required Product Safety Basics: 90 minutes
• Prop 65 and State Regulations: 60 minutes
• Undue Influence Training: 60 minutes

Participants may select any additional webinar from an approved list or any live program that is listed as a qualified event.

Product safety regulations are increasing on federal, state and international levels. As a result, PPAI’s PRAG believes it is essential that the industry as a whole recognize and understand the importance of product safety and that every company develop a basic awareness of the importance and requirements of product safety.

While PPAI cannot educate every person in every company in the entire industry, the Association and its members can expect, and require, one person in every company to have a basic understanding of product responsibility obligations.

It is for any company that wants to gain access to the PPAI marketplace (through trade-show exhibit space, sponsorships and advertising) is required to obtain the Product Safety Aware status.

It is only required for those companies who are interested in exhibiting at PPAI tradeshows, taking advantage of PPAI sponsorship opportunities or advertising in PPAI Media.  While it is not mandatory for membership, PPAI strongly recommends that all companies make Product Safety Awareness a top priority.

Only if they are interested in taking advantage of PPAI sponsorship opportunities or advertising in PPAI Media.  It is not required for membership or attendance at PPAI shows.

Yes. The following criteria fulfill the basic requirements for obtaining Product Safety Aware status:

• PRAG membership
• PPAI Product Safety Summit attendance
• Primary active QCA compliance contact status (distributors and suppliers)
• ICPHSO attendance

Note: Any additional alternative criteria for qualifying  will be determined by PPAI’s Product Safety Advisory Group

There is no cost for companies to be identified as “Product Safety Aware”.

Any designated employee of a company is eligible to participate in the program.

A minimum of four hours of product safety education must be completed in order for an employee to obtain Product Safety Ambassador status.

PPAI provides webinars and live product safety workshops.

A minimum of one employee per company is required in order to access the PPAI marketplace.

If your Product Safety Ambassador leaves your company, you may designate a new employee.  The new employee must have completed the required product safety education hours within 30 days in order to be considered a Product Safety Ambassador and for your company to maintain its Product Safety Aware status.

The Product Safety Ambassador must complete two hours of product safety education every two years in order to continue in the program.

No. The Product Safety Awareness Program is a means of validating a particular company has assigned an employee to complete the necessary education hours to qualify the company for Product Safety Aware status.

• Access to the PPAI marketplace
• Continuing education
• The ability to differentiate your company from others in the industry that haven’t taken the step.

The ability to show your company’s commitment to creating a culture in which promotional product companies are not only aware of product safety but engaged, and as result creating confidence in the medium at every level.

The program launched in January 2014 and will be ongoing. Companies should designate a Product Safety Ambassador now and begin training in order to have access to the PPAI marketplace.

Primarily because it is the right thing to do. Secondarily to access the PPAI marketplace (trade-show exhibit space, sponsorships, advertising).

The Product Safety Aware label indicates that you have completed the required product safety training.

By taking the required courses, you can become Product Safety Aware and promote this status in your marketing materials.  In addition, you will be recognized in PPAI’s ad campaign.  If you think you may already meet the criteria, contact PPAI.