Increased Port Traffic Expected

The National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight are forecasting a rise in containerized imports according to Port Tracker, their monthly report evaluating traffic at ten major U.S. ports. This is good news as increased imports means Retailers are ordering more merchandise - an expectation that sales will rise. Things may be looking up in the retail industry and for the economy as a whole.

CPSIA Workshop

The Consumer Product Safety Commission held a two-day workshop on CPSIA last week focusing on testing programs and product labeling. Numerous interested parties attended to render feedback to the CPSC about the challenges they are facing. Currently, the CPSC is accepting comments by January 11, 2010 on testing; instructions for submitting comments are at the end of the workshop agenda. Session recordings and presentations are now available on the CPSC site at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsiatesting.html.

GXS and Inovis Tie The Knot!

Yesterday, GXS and Inovis announced an agreement to merge some time in the first half of 2010. While change is hard, the merger could be good for suppliers. GXS and Inovis are two of the most commonly approved EDI service providers for major retailers and instead of having to do business with one, the other, or both at the same time, suppliers will have a single entity to work with. This could translate to lower costs with an expanded range of service offerings at their fingertips. For more on the announcement, see http://www.gxs.com/inovis/.

Federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Reform

After reading an article on TSCA reform, I couldn't help but notice the similarities to the CPSIA - particularly the need for manufacturers to provide the EPA with information proving their products are safe. Most manufacturers, in one way or another, have been affected by the CPSIA and the hinderance it created, especially in terms of manufacturers having their products tested for lead and phthalates content that were never designed for nor should ever come in contact with a child and then having to obtain and maintain proof of their products' safety to the CPSC upon request. The premise for TSCA reform sounds good - to place the burden on chemical companies to prove the chemicals within a product will not inflict harm - however, the surrounding language seems to place more of the burden on the manufacturers themselves. Right now, the call for reform is just that - a call; only a hearing has taken place. Stay tuned, though - no one knew CPSIA would turn out to be the monster it has... This could go either way.