If you're like me, as you read this, you're starting your second week of recovery. I had the opportunity to speak to several of you in person for the first time this year at PPAI Expo, and I don't know about you, but I'm still digging out from under a pile of notes and giving my feet a little rest. According to the fitness tracker I use, in three days of walking the show I averaged 13,000 steps a day, and covered a total of 16 miles! Expo reports that some 11,000 distributors attended and saw the 1 million square feet of products set up at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. No wonder we’re all still tired!
If you stopped me at the show, and took the time to share your opinion of our work, I really appreciate it. I got a bit of insight from many of you when it comes to promotional product safety, and we'll spend some time answering more questions in columns to come over the next several weeks.
With the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary coming up shortly, there has been much conversation about the candidates and their positions, of course. One of the points being made by several candidates is the divisive nature of the 2016 campaign. But, you may have missed a political initiative covered in the New York Times’ Opinion pages that seems to be gaining support from both sides of the political aisle, something politicians can actually agree on. It could have significant impact on the regulations of the promotional product industry. Legislation is being introduced to further slow the already glacial speed in which product regulations are issued and enforced.
According to the Times' article, deregulating U.S. industry is easy to agree on in an election year, and the loser is the general public. Seems regulation of big industry is a popular idea with the largest corporations, who also just happen to be large political contributors. At worst, according to the article, mainstream America would be deprived of timely and effective measures to protect them from unsafe products. One provision would establish a commission of political appointees to advise Congress on regulations that should be modified or repealed, effectively undermining authority of current regulators. Another would have the Congressional Budget Office review the costs of rules and 
regulations. Although the CBO really doesn't have much to do with regulations currently, and the result would be, at the very least, additional delays.
This is an election year issue worth monitoring by our industry. While it is not specific to promotional products, I can't help but share a story that puts a face on the issue of lead in the drinking water of Flint, MI. For years now, residents of this financially struggling city have weathered the storm of auto plant closings. By most accounts, half of its population has already moved away from the time of prosperity in the auto industry. Now, those that are left live in fear of their children being poisoned by lead in the drinking water. News reports suggest that government officials knew of the high amounts of lead, but did not reveal it. According to a recent AP article, "The longest line at (Flint) Freeman Elementary School's Family Fun Night was not for face painting or food. It was for lead testing."
Whether you're making products that could be considered child-appealing – mints, candy, or something for them to drink (or drink out of) – we owe it to the kids to keep them safe. Let’s hope that there's a good solution for them soon in Flint, MI.
Jeff Jacobs has been an expert in building brands and brand stewardship for more than 30 years. He's a staunch advocate of consumer product safety and has a deep passion and belief regarding the issues surrounding compliance and corporate social responsibility. He is the executive director of Quality Certification Alliance, the industry's only non-profit dedicated to helping suppliers provide safe and compliant products. When he's not working, you can find him traveling the world with his lovely wife, working as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, or sometimes even enjoying a cigar at his favorite local cigar shop. Follow Jeff on Twitter, or reach out to him at jeff@qcalliance.org.