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Sunday, February 16
 

TBA

AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE - CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
Sunday February 16, 2025 TBA
Sunday February 16, 2025 TBA

TBA

Job Matching Returns to the Annual Symposium!
Sunday February 16, 2025 TBA
ICPHSO and Carol Pollack-Nelson again will provide discrete job matching for members looking for work and for companies/organizations hiring.  Contact Carol at pollacknel@comcast.net for more information.
Speakers
avatar for Carol Pollack-Nelson

Carol Pollack-Nelson

Principal, Independent Safety Consulting, LLC
Carol Pollack-Nelson, Ph.D. is a human factors psychologist specializing in consumer product safety. She works as a consultant and researcher, providing guidance to manufacturers, retailers, attorneys, test labs, consumer groups, and the government on product safety issues including... Read More →

Sunday February 16, 2025 TBA
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:50am EST

A/V Set Up Room & Speaker Ready Room
Sunday February 16, 2025 10:50am - Thursday February 20, 2025 2:40pm EST
Sunday February 16, 2025 10:50am - Thursday February 20, 2025 2:40pm EST
Jacaranda (Ballroom Level)

1:00pm EST

2:00pm EST

Bag Stuffing - OPEN TO ALL
Sunday February 16, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Come meet returning and new colleagues as the ICPHSO tradition of networking the day before the conference begins with filling the conference bags with sponsored gifts and information, while enjoying pizza, beer and wine.
Speakers
avatar for Marc Schoem

Marc Schoem

Executive Director, ICPHSO
Marc J. Schoem assumed the position of Executive Director of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) on October 15, 2015, after more than forty years at the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). His last position at CPSC was in a senior... Read More →

Sunday February 16, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

4:30pm EST

ICPHSO Board Meeting (Board Members Only)
Sunday February 16, 2025 4:30pm - 6:30pm EST
Speakers
avatar for Marc Schoem

Marc Schoem

Executive Director, ICPHSO
Marc J. Schoem assumed the position of Executive Director of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) on October 15, 2015, after more than forty years at the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). His last position at CPSC was in a senior... Read More →
Sunday February 16, 2025 4:30pm - 6:30pm EST
Magnolia (Ballroom Level)

5:30pm EST

 
Monday, February 17
 

6:30am EST

ICPHSO Morning Walk
Monday February 17, 2025 6:30am - 7:15am EST
Start your morning off with a walk around the Hyatt property led by ICPHSO Member Jane McGarry.  Bring your own water bottles and prepare for the busy day ahead!
Monday February 17, 2025 6:30am - 7:15am EST
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Lobby

7:00am EST

Registration
Monday February 17, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm EST
Monday February 17, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm EST
Registration Desk - Grand Cypress Ballroom Level

8:00am EST

Associated Meeting - AHAM (Invited Guests Only)
Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 11:55am EST
Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 11:55am EST
Magnolia (Ballroom Level)

8:00am EST

Associated Meeting - ASTM F15 Exec Committee (Committee Members Only)
Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 11:55am EST
Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 11:55am EST
Orchid B (Lobby Level)

8:00am EST

Associated Meeting - Retail Council of Canada (Invited Guests Only)
Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 11:55am EST
Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 11:55am EST
Orchid A (Lobby Level)

8:00am EST

Associated Meeting - RILA (Invited Guests Only)
Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 11:55am EST
Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 11:55am EST
Grand Cypress BC (Ballroom Level)

8:00am EST

Associated Meeting - SPLiCE (Invited Guests Only)
Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 11:55am EST
Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 11:55am EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

8:00am EST

12:00pm EST

12:00pm EST

Sponsored Satellite Session 2: Comverex - Centralizing the Widely Distributed Data Required for eFiling: How to Achieve Rapid Compliance at Minimal Expense
Monday February 17, 2025 12:00pm - 12:20pm EST
The key to successful eFiling is the centralization of data from widely distributed data sources. Product data, manufacturer data, test results, component parts, purchase orders, HTS codes, citation codes, exclusion codes… the breadth of data can feel overwhelming. Comverex will discuss how to rapidly and seamlessly implement centralization of the data required for eFiling.

Comverex will also discuss automated data uploading to the Product Registry and how to substantially simplify data uploading for lab testing service providers that are also providing this service from their own software platforms. Comverex will review “the last mile” of the eFiling roadmap - submitting Reference PGA Message Sets to Customs and Border Protection through brokers.

Retailers, national brand manufacturers, and lab testing service providers are encouraged to attend.
Speakers
avatar for Tim O'Meara

Tim O'Meara

Comverex
Monday February 17, 2025 12:00pm - 12:20pm EST
Regency 5-9 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

12:00pm EST

Exhibitor Move-In/Set-Up
Monday February 17, 2025 12:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Speakers
avatar for Dana Groves

Dana Groves

Sponsorship/Exhibitor Manager, ICPHSO
Dana will be the primary point-of-contact on the ICPHSO team for all sponsorship, exhibit and advertising opportunities. Dana's strengths and skill set enables her to effectively research and comprehend complex and highly regulated industries, as she consistently demonstrates her... Read More →
Monday February 17, 2025 12:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

12:30pm EST

Sponsored Satellite Session 3 Cooley: Global Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance: US, UK, EU, and International Updates for 2025 and Beyond
Monday February 17, 2025 12:30pm - 12:50pm EST
Speakers
avatar for Rod Freeman

Rod Freeman

International Products Lawyer, Cooley
Rod Freeman is an International Products Lawyer. He is routinely ranked as a leading product litigation lawyer in the major legal directories, where he is described as “the outstanding go-to specialist for product liability matters”, “without a shadow of a doubt the most knowledgeable... Read More →
avatar for Matt Howsare

Matt Howsare

Partner, Cooley
Matt is the chair of Cooley’s North American product safety practice and a leading global consumer product safety and compliance lawyer who counsels manufacturers, retailers, distributors, trade associations and consumer product companies on issues within all aspects of a product’s... Read More →
Monday February 17, 2025 12:30pm - 12:50pm EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

12:30pm EST

1:00pm EST

First Timers/New Attendee and Belonging Lunch and Discussion
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Open to first time attendees and new members.  Please join us for information on what to expect during the week, meet other first timers and new members and also hear about ICPHSO and the various programs we run.  This session also provides an opportunity for our supporters to self identify their commitment to supporting different stakeholder perspectives during our Symposium and beyond.  This introductory session for new members and first time conference attendees also provides ICPHSO an opportunity to introduce its robust program of inclusion and diversity to advance product safety from all stakeholder perspectives..
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Regency 1-4 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

2:10pm EST

Afternoon Opening Session (Including Student Mentee/Mentor Introductions)
Monday February 17, 2025 2:10pm - 2:30pm EST
Join us for the opening of the 2025 Annual Symposium kicked off by President Kim Mason and Planning Chair, David Kosnoff.  We will also introduce our 2025 class of student mentees and their mentors.  The Student Mentorship  Program Committee includes Chairman Amy Lane and Vice Chairman Sara Delkoski.
Speakers
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
avatar for Kim Mason

Kim Mason

Vice President, Product Quality and Compliance and ICPHSO President, Five Below
Kim Mason is the Vice President of Product Quality and Compliance at Five Below. She leads a team who implements and manages processes, systems, and training related to product safety, testing and regulatory compliance. Kim also oversees Five Below’s social responsibility program... Read More →
avatar for Amy Lane

Amy Lane

Director, Regulatory Compliance, Lovevery, Inc.
Amy Lane serves as Lovevery, Inc.'s Regulatory Compliance Director, overseeing adherence to stringent safety and integrity standards for their subscription-based offerings tailored to families with children aged birth to 4 years old. With a professional background spanning over 17... Read More →
avatar for Sara Delkoski Bakken

Sara Delkoski Bakken

Director, Product Safety, Quality and Regulatory (PSQR), Target
Monday February 17, 2025 2:10pm - 2:30pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

2:30pm EST

Keynote 1: Alejandra Barcelo, Manager, Global Affairs and Public Policy, AI, Google LLC
Monday February 17, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm EST
Title: Making AI helpful for everyone

Summary: AI has an immense potential to benefit people and society everywhere. For AI to achieve its full potential, it is imperative to develop and use it responsibly. At Google, we are fully committed to making AI helpful for everyone, while building it responsibly. We know it must be a collective effort involving researchers, social scientists, industry experts, governments, creators, publishers, and people using AI in their daily lives. 
Speakers
avatar for John McNulty

John McNulty

Director of Product Safety and Compliance Engineering for Hardware, Google LLC
John McNulty is the Director of Product Safety and Compliance Engineering for Hardware at Google LLC. He is an engineer with a Materials Science background with 35 years of experience in most end-use markets, covering Materials characterization, Fracture and fatigue testing, Failure... Read More →
avatar for Alejandra Barcelo

Alejandra Barcelo

Manager, Global Affairs and Public Policy, AI, Google LLC
Alejandra Barceló is a specialist in political risk, international affairs, and public policy. Currently leading Google's AI policy portfolio for Platforms and Devices (including Chrome, Android, Play, and Pixel). Her career spans the private sector and international organizations... Read More →
Monday February 17, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

3:00pm EST

Plenary Session 1 - Market Surveillance and Product Recalls: Linking Policy to Action in Case of Online Sales
Monday February 17, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST
Transparency, collaboration, and communication are three principles underlying a good market surveillance policy. The example of how these principles have been included in the European General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) and how they will change the approach to market surveillance and evaluation of the safety of products sold online, will show up in EU in December 2024. While waiting for this important date, we'll discuss the challenges market surveillance authorities were facing in the past, how these challenges will be mitigated by the GPSR, how providers of online marketplace will contribute to solve past challenges and how consumers will benefit from a clearer set of rules on online sales. These innovations can be taken as inspiration from other policy makers, to potentially develop an aligned approach to increasingly regulate online commerce using the same tools available for market surveillance, agreeing on the responsibilities of online marketplace’s providers and consumer rights.
Moderators
avatar for Silvia Lai

Silvia Lai

Global Technical Leader for Regulatory and Chemistry, UL Solutions
Silvia has over 15 years of experience in regulatory research and product testing and certification.Silvia is focused on regulatory and technical updates related to the identification and interpretation of the regulatory obligations that may affect companies, particularly with regard... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Anushi Amin

Anushi Amin

Product Compliance and Regulatory Lawyer, Cooley (UK) LLP
Anushi is a products lawyer, regulatory adviser and litigator. Anushi advises clients on product compliance and regulatory matters – ranging from product launches to any issues that arise during the life of the product. She also has experience advising on a range of product liability... Read More →
avatar for Thomas Bell

Thomas Bell

UK Country Lead - Customer Trust and External Relations Team, Amazon
Dr. Thomas Bell is the UK Country Lead within the Customer Trust and External Relations Team at Amazon. His portfolio includes product safety, scam prevention and anti-counterfeiting. Prior to taking up this role in January 2025, he led on Regulatory Engagement at Amazon for UK and... Read More →
avatar for Richard O'Brien

Richard O'Brien

Executive Director, TIC Council Americas
Rich is the trade association executive for the leading testing, inspection, and certification companies in the Americas. He draws from a diverse government and private sector background as he represents the TIC industry to government and public stakeholders. Immediately prior to... Read More →
Monday February 17, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

3:50pm EST

Plenary Session 2: Across the Recall Ecosystem: Leading Practices, Challenges & Lessons Learned
Monday February 17, 2025 3:50pm - 4:40pm EST
From industry, to consumers, to agencies across the globe, product recalls present unique and shared challenges. Those challenges include, the decision-making process around issuing a recall, determining remedies, recall execution and ultimately announcing and ensuring consumer participating in a recall, and more. In this panel featuring representatives from retail chains, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies, attendees will hear stakeholder reflections on lessons learned from recall events and how its shaped their approaches. Panelists will engage in dialogue on common challenges and opportunities, including leveraging technology, to reduce barriers to increase recall effectiveness. There will be ample time devoted to responding to attendee questions.
Moderators
avatar for Susan Kirsch

Susan Kirsch

Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
Susan works across RILA’s many regulatory and compliance areas, including consumer products safety, and plays a key role in RILA’s advocacy and engagement with stakeholders and regulators at the federal and state levels. Before joining RILA in 2020, she served as a Government... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Erin Bradley, CPSP

Erin Bradley, CPSP

Manager, Product Safety and Recalls, Costco Wholesale
Erin Bradley, CPSP is the Manager of Product Safety and Recalls at Costco Wholesale. Erin has spent the last 13 years of her nearly 25-year Costco career developing and leading Costco’s Non-Foods Product Safety Program. Her team is responsible for monitoring Costco’s data sources... Read More →
avatar for Michael del Negro

Michael del Negro

Vice President, Head of Safety, Ethics and Compliance, Peloton Interactive, Inc.
Michael is Vice President, Head of Safety, Ethics and Compliance at Peloton Interactive, Inc., where Co-Chairs the Executive Product Safety Committee. Michael overseas Peloton's product safety compliance program, including risk assessments; product safety compliance processes; training... Read More →
avatar for Nadira Rambritch

Nadira Rambritch

Director - Consumer Product Safety Program, Health Canada
Nadira Rambritch is the Director of the Consumer Product Safety Program within the Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch (ROEB) at Health Canada. With over 20 years of service within the Government of Canada, Nadira has held key roles across various programs at Health Canada... Read More →
Monday February 17, 2025 3:50pm - 4:40pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

4:40pm EST

Networking, Exhibits & Poster Viewing Break
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Please be sure to stop by and visit the exhibitors and check out the poster displays in the exhibit hall while enjoying some food and beverage treats.
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:40pm EST

Poster: ANSI Z535.7 and beyond - Introduction to the new standard for presenting safety information in electronic media
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
For decades, ANSI Z535 standards have provided guidance for presenting safety information in media such as safety signs, product labels, and, since 2006, product manuals and collateral materials. With evolving technology and connectivity, people - both product users and manufacturers - are increasingly turning to electronic media as another channel for finding or providing product information. ANSI Z535.7, the American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Electronic Media, helps bring ANSI Z535 concepts into these newer media. This poster provides an introduction to ANSI Z535.7 and also touches on some considerations of presenting safety information in electronic media that go beyond the standard.
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:40pm EST

Poster: Best Practices in Evaluating Lithium-Ion Batteries
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
The poster presentation focuses on an investigation into the evaluation of batteries for various properties that impact performance and safety. The batteries tested have been sourced from a variety of manufacturers for comparative analysis. The audience will gain knowledge in what potential pitfalls exist within lithium-ion batteries, and what is necessary to identify those, prior to implementation in a product. Data will be presented showing the wide variety in quality of batteries and how different operating conditions impact their performance and lifetime characteristics. Specific topics explored will include battery cell construction, energy capacity, degradation leading to capacity loss, and how quickly end of life is reached.
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:40pm EST

Poster: Dog Anatomy Data Collection - Research to Fuel the Dog Equivalent of the Small Parts Cylinder
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
CSU, in partnership with the ASTM F15.05 subcommittee on pet products, has begun a research project to use CT scanning technology and an inflator balloon to collect anthropometric data around different points of "narrowing" in the digestive tract of different sized dogs. Additionally CSU will collect head, jaw, and mouth dimensions. Among other things, the intent is for this data to fuel to development of choking/ingestion test cylinders for dog toys, the dog equivalent of the human toy small parts cylinder.
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:40pm EST

Poster: Improving Data Reporting to Avoid TSCA Pitfalls: A Call for Engagement of Downstream Users
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Under the US EPA’s TSCA program for existing chemicals, providing insufficient or incomplete data about a business’s product or process can lead to erroneous risk conclusions by EPA and, ultimately, unnecessary and costly risk management measures.  Small and midsize enterprises and downstream users of a chemical are particularly vulnerable to these determinations.  To avoid this outcome, stakeholders up and down the value chain should be engaged in the TSCA process as early as possible.  A review of the types of data needed by EPA was performed to assist the regulated community with identifying and organizing their data to optimize the accuracy of EPA’s risk assessment conclusions on the relevant Conditions of Use.
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:40pm EST

Poster: Inmetro's advances in market surveillance in Brazil
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Market Surveillance is one of the pillars of quality infrastructure. In order to improve its activities in this area, Inmetro, the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology of Brazil, plays a crucial role in ensuring product safety and compliance with technical regulations. As part of it's strategy it was established the Safety Products Laboratory-Nusep/Divig/Dconf/Inmetro in 2023. Among its activities, it has been carrying out several testing of products that are under regulation of Inmetro’s certification. Recently the laboratory was responsible for the organization of special operations in the country, for instance, one dedicated to wires and cables (43% of manufacturers showed irregularities) and another for toys (10% of the products showed some restrictions). The results are contributing to get a better quality of products available to consumers.
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:40pm EST

Poster: Made of recycled PET?
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Consumers embrace the concept of recycling and brand owners want to offer products that respond to such noble aspiration. But, without proper traceability mechanisms, it is hard to confidently claim the amount of recycled material used in a finished good. Incremental cost and limited availability amount of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) have led to erroneous claims about 2/3 of the time.

This poster will share how a methodology was developed and accredited to accurately identify and quantify rPET. It will share the challenges faced during development, the selection of the chemical marker and the equipment evaluated and utilized to have the most consistent and accurate measurement.
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:40pm EST

Poster: YouthShape.US: A New Study of Child and Youth Anthropometry and Physical Capability
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Data on the body dimensions of youth are widely used in design and regulatory applications. However, the U.S. has not had a public, well-sampled, detailed child anthropometry study since the 1970s. Importantly, less information is available on body shape. To address this gap, body size, shape, health and physical capability data were gathered on 600 children ages 3 through 17 years. Data included 1D and 3D anthropometry (head, hand, foot and whole body), body composition, and measures of strength and fitness. Study outcomes will be used to create a new public archive of anthropometry and physical development data for U.S. youth. The dataset and interactive design tools will serve as a valuable resource for the design and evaluation of products and systems children use.
Monday February 17, 2025 4:40pm - 5:10pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

5:10pm EST

Breakout 1: Improving Consumer Product Safety Using Iterative Product Testing Throughout the Product Development Lifecycle (CLE Credits)
Monday February 17, 2025 5:10pm - 6:00pm EST
Creating safer consumer products is a noble pursuit bestowing benefits to society and makes business sense because it reduces potential health risks; the risk of legal liability; the risk of product recalls and the attendant costs and reputational damage; and the risk of product failure. From a health risk perspective, potential adverse health effects are evaluated throughout the lifecycle of a product:

•From the early development stage when considering the product’s ingredients and formulation
•To the post-market stage when the product is in use by consumers.
This guidance is provided by various jurisdictions and industry groups. From a human factors or user experience perspective, one and the same iterative formative testing processes can be leveraged to:
•Decrease product risk
•Improve usability
•Enhance user experience.

The FDA’s human factors guidance provides a blueprint for a process that could be translated to the consumer product world.
Moderators
avatar for Sarah-Jane Dobson

Sarah-Jane Dobson

Partner, Ashurst LLP
Sarah-Jane Dobson is the Global Head of Product Litigation and Regulatory Risk at Ashurst where she is a Partner in the London office.She is routinely recognised as a market-leading international product safety lawyer in her field, specialising in product compliance, product safety... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Karolyn Helda

Karolyn Helda

Global Services and Technical Services Director, QIMA
Karolyn Helda is the Global Services and Technical Services Director for QIMA’s Consumer Goods division in North America. She has worked in the consumer products safety, compliance, and quality assurance industry for over 30 years. Her knowledge and direct experience span the categories... Read More →
avatar for Robert Rauschenberger, Ph.D

Robert Rauschenberger, Ph.D

Vice President, Director of Human Factors, J.S. Held LLC
avatar for Chantal Gavreau

Chantal Gavreau

Principal Quality Assurance Engineer, Hasbro
A highly experienced quality assurance and regulatory compliance professional with a proven track record in managing global standards, ensuring compliance with legal and safety regulations, and driving continuous improvement across international teams. Currently serving as a Principal... Read More →
Monday February 17, 2025 5:10pm - 6:00pm EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

5:10pm EST

Breakout 2: The Growing Impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations on Products and Packaging
Monday February 17, 2025 5:10pm - 6:00pm EST
Consumers and municipalities are poorly equipped to deal with the types and volume of waste that is generated when products and packaging have reached their end of life. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations/programs are one of the solutions that many countries globally are turning toward to better manage this problem.

When retailers, brands, and manufactures are assigned responsibility to fund and engage in management of these wastes, recycling can increase, while reducing resource consumption and emissions.

EPR is a timely topic, given it has become more active with EPR laws passed in 5 states recently on packaging and many others having legislative activity, while an EPR law for apparel/textile has been signed by the governor of California in the fall of 2024.

The intent of this session is to: raise awareness of this important type of regulation/program, help attendees get a better idea of how EPR may be applicable to them, provide some visibility into future regulations, and share ideas about how to start addressing these requirements.

The panel will share their knowledge, perspectives, and insights from their different position in the product life cycle, within a major retailer that must comply with many of these regulations (Canadian Tire), and skilled service provider focusing on EPR support (Accerio).

This session will give an overview of:

1. How EPR programs are generally set up / who is responsible for what actions / how funding
by obligated parties connects to the volume and type of product sales
2. Why they are beneficial and support circularity and sustainability
3. What are some of the existing EPR programs related to consumer products in the US and
Canada – an overview of this information has been compiled in a few slides to ease of
sharing, along with some additional resources
4. What is on the horizon in the U.S. and Canada? EPR for apparel?
5. Insights from the EU on EPR – can it affect North American companies?

In addition to helping attendees better understand how EPR programs work and how the landscape of regulations is changing the session will also:

6. Help them think about how to start addressing potential obligations
7. Provide insights from two companies dealing with these types of requirements from different
perspectives and how they work on compliance
8. Highlight the importance of data and provide recommendations
As part of the session, rapid polling will be conducted to gauge the attendees: familiarity with EPR,
level of existing activity in this topic, interest in EPR for specific product/packaging items, (and/or
other questions).
Moderators
avatar for Michael Richardson

Michael Richardson

Sustainability Manager, SGS N. America
Michael is the Sustainability Manager at SGS North America within Connectivity & Products and supports clients’ sustainability assessment, communication and improvement efforts.  Michael’s experience in environmental engineering and sustainability span 20+ years, including over... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Annie Preston

Annie Preston

International Regulatory Compliance Consultant, Accerio
Annie Preston Hyde is a seasoned global specialist in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance. Based in Colorado and the Netherlands, Accerio helps a wide variety of companies navigate complex global EPR requirements across multiple waste streams, from legal obligation assessment... Read More →
avatar for Andy Dabydeen

Andy Dabydeen

Manager, Product Stewardship Compliance, Canadian Tire
Andy is the manager for Product Stewardship Compliance at Canadian Tire, where he is responsible for product safety and regulatory compliance.  He has over 35 years of retail experience in supply chain, IT and product quality.  In his spare time, Andy chairs the CSA's Strategic... Read More →
Monday February 17, 2025 5:10pm - 6:00pm EST
Regency 1-4 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

5:10pm EST

Breakout 3: Open Meeting: ICPHSO Strategic Committee Reports (Open to all attendees)
Monday February 17, 2025 5:10pm - 6:00pm EST
Each of the ICPHSO strategic committees will host one open meeting as a breakout session during the symposium, where attendees can attend and get first-hand insight and experience what the committees do and how they serve ICPHSO.  This also furthers our mission in preparation for the open call for volunteers to join the 2025 strategic committee groups that will be formed shortly after the symposium concludes. This will also present an opportunity to showcase one of our "member only" activities in the hopes of encouraging an interested non-member in joining ICPHSO to be eligible to serve on an open committee slot.
Speakers
avatar for Levi Smith

Levi Smith

Product Compliance Manager, Bass Pro
Levi Smith is the Product Compliance Manager for Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s with over two decades of Product Design, Quality Assurance, & Product Compliance experience. As a dedicated compliance manager, Levi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role. With a strong background... Read More →
avatar for Jennifer Thompson

Jennifer Thompson

Vice President Consumer Product Testing, Eurofins MTS Consumer Product Testing US, LLC
avatar for Danni Cugini

Danni Cugini

Director, Product Compliance & Regulatory, Harbor Freight
Danni Cugini is the Director of Product Compliance & Regulatory for Harbor Freight Tools, where she oversees product safety and regulatory chemical compliance for a wide range of consumer products. A product safety and compliance professional for over 10 years, Danni was with Barnes... Read More →
avatar for Torine Creppy

Torine Creppy

President, Safe Kids Worldwide
Torine Creppy is the president of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting kids from preventable injuries. For 25+ years, Ms. Creppy has dedicated her career to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families, especially the most vulnerable... Read More →
avatar for Amy Lane

Amy Lane

Director, Regulatory Compliance, Lovevery, Inc.
Amy Lane serves as Lovevery, Inc.'s Regulatory Compliance Director, overseeing adherence to stringent safety and integrity standards for their subscription-based offerings tailored to families with children aged birth to 4 years old. With a professional background spanning over 17... Read More →
avatar for Kim Mason

Kim Mason

Vice President, Product Quality and Compliance and ICPHSO President, Five Below
Kim Mason is the Vice President of Product Quality and Compliance at Five Below. She leads a team who implements and manages processes, systems, and training related to product safety, testing and regulatory compliance. Kim also oversees Five Below’s social responsibility program... Read More →
avatar for Karin Athanas

Karin Athanas

Executive Director, Alliance for Family and Consumer Sciences, (AAFCS)
Monday February 17, 2025 5:10pm - 6:00pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

5:10pm EST

Breakout 4: Exploring the Intersections Between Consumer Rights and Recalls
Monday February 17, 2025 5:10pm - 6:00pm EST
Changing consumer rights are impacting product recall implementation but are they also changing outcomes? Panellists will discuss how they are seeing approaches to recalls and consumer remedies change to meet new legislative expectations and the impact that they may or may not be seeing.
Moderators
avatar for Claire Temple

Claire Temple

Partner, Cooley (UK) LLP
Claire is a partner in our product compliance and liability team. She specialises in advising clients on regulatory risk, compliance and litigation issues. She helps clients who deal with products and consumers. Claire works with them to help bring both digital and physical products... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Justin Bishop

Justin Bishop

Principal Engineer, Exponent
Dr. Bishop is a Principal Engineer at Exponent. He provides his services to consumer product industry clients with issues related to electro-mechanical equipment, systems, and controls. He applies his experiences from field investigations of product and equipment failures to the evaluation... Read More →
avatar for Richard Frewin DTS,DMS, MCTSI

Richard Frewin DTS,DMS, MCTSI

Assistant Director Regulatory Collaboration, Office for Product Safety and Standards UK
Richard is responsible for both national and international regulatory collaboration at the Office for Product Safety and Standards in the UK. He established the UK’s national market surveillance authority for a range of product related sectors and has led the OPSS teams that produce... Read More →
Monday February 17, 2025 5:10pm - 6:00pm EST
Grand Cypress A-C

6:10pm EST

Day 1 Wrap-Up and Announcements
Monday February 17, 2025 6:10pm - 6:30pm EST
Speakers
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
Monday February 17, 2025 6:10pm - 6:30pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

6:30pm EST

Society of Product Safety Professionals (SPSP) Annual Associated Open Meeting and Reception (open to all registered ICPHSO attendees)
Monday February 17, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm EST
Join the Society of Product Safety Professionals (SPSP) during their annual Associated Open Meeting and Reception. All ICPHSO registered attendees are welcome to attend the open meeting and enjoy the reception courtesy of SPSP.
Monday February 17, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm EST
La Coquina (Take Stairs Near Lobby Elevator - One Level Below)

7:30pm EST

Dinner On Your Own!
Monday February 17, 2025 7:30pm - 7:30pm EST
Monday February 17, 2025 7:30pm - 7:30pm EST
 
Tuesday, February 18
 

6:30am EST

ICPHSO Morning Walk
Tuesday February 18, 2025 6:30am - 7:15am EST
Start your morning off with a walk around the Hyatt property led by ICPHSO Member Jane McGarry.  Bring your own water bottles and prepare for the busy day ahead!
Tuesday February 18, 2025 6:30am - 7:15am EST
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Lobby

7:00am EST

Breakfast
Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am EST
Enjoy a hot breakfast courtesy of ICPHSO before the days events begin.  Be sure to visit the exhibitors and view the posters in the exhibit hall before the sessions begin.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

7:00am EST

Registration
Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm EST
Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm EST
Registration Desk - Grand Cypress Ballroom Level

7:30am EST

Sponsored Satellite Session 7: Crowell & Moring - Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Reporting and Recalling at the CPSC
Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:30am - 7:50am EST
Join Crowell & Moring’s attorneys for an interactive session on tips and best practices for avoiding common pitfalls  in reporting and recalling at the CPSC.
Speakers
avatar for Cheryl Falvey

Cheryl Falvey

Partner, Crowell & Moring, LLP
An experienced trial lawyer, and a former general counsel of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cheryl Falvey defends class actions, unfair competition, product liability and other mass tort claims arising out of consumer, occupational, and environmental... Read More →
avatar for Rebecca Chaney

Rebecca Chaney

Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP
Transportation, micromobility, consumer, and other product manufacturers lean on Rebecca Chaney’s keen understanding of the transportation and consumer product industries and the legal landscape to advance their businesses. Rebecca applies her commercial-focused product risk lens... Read More →
avatar for Chantel Greene

Chantel Greene

Counsel, Crowell & Moring LLP
Chantel Greene’s practice focuses on product liability and safety issues arising out of consumer and occupational exposures. Chantel counsels clients on product disputes, risk mitigation, and crisis management matters. She also advises clients on regulatory and enforcement issues... Read More →
avatar for Helena Alvarez

Helena Alvarez

Associate, Crowell & Moring LLP
Helena Alvarez helps clients meet their legal and business objectives by counseling them Mass Tort, Product & Consumer Litigation matters. Helena assists clients in the pharmaceutical, consumer product, and transportation industries with their regulatory and litigation needs. Born... Read More →
avatar for Shane Yodlowski

Shane Yodlowski

Associate, Crowell & Moring LLP
Shane Yodlowki has experience counseling clients on product safety and risk mitigation strategy, defending companies in nationwide multidistrict litigations, and representing clients before by the Department of Justice, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal Trade Commission... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:30am - 7:50am EST
Grand Cypress A-C

7:30am EST

Sponsored Satellite Session 8: Intertek - Everything You Need to Know About CPSC eFiling For the Product Registry
Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:30am - 7:50am EST
Join us for an informative 20-minute session on CPSC eFiling, where we will delve into the final rule that will take effect in 2026 and guide you through the essential steps required to meet the new eFiling requirements. You'll gain insights into the necessary preparations and learn about our technology solution – InterLink 2.0, designed to ensure a seamless eFiling experience in a few clicks. Whether you're new to the process or looking to update your knowledge, this session will equip you with everything you need to know for smooth compliance with CPSC regulations on eFiling. 
Speakers
RK

Rajath Kumar

VP, Global Account Management, Intertek
AL

Andrew Loveland

Technical Director, Global Softlines and Hardlines, Intertek
Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:30am - 7:50am EST
Regency 1-4 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

7:30am EST

Sponsored Satellite Session 9: Charlie's House Virtual Safety Experience - A partnership to promote safety around the world
Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:30am - 7:50am EST
This sponsored session features a Charlie's House Virtual Safety Experience.  A partnership to promote safety around the world.
Speakers
avatar for Brett Horn

Brett Horn

Founder, Charlies House
Brett Horn is the founder of Charlie's House in Kansas City, MO, whose mission is to prevent accidents and injuries to children in and around the home. He is also active in other product safety areas as the Vice Chair of Consumer Participation of ASTM Executive Committee on Consumer... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:30am - 7:50am EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

8:00am EST

Day 2: Opening Remarks and Announcements
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:00am - 8:10am EST
Speakers
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
avatar for Kim Mason

Kim Mason

Vice President, Product Quality and Compliance and ICPHSO President, Five Below
Kim Mason is the Vice President of Product Quality and Compliance at Five Below. She leads a team who implements and manages processes, systems, and training related to product safety, testing and regulatory compliance. Kim also oversees Five Below’s social responsibility program... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:00am - 8:10am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

8:10am EST

Plenary Session 3: Leadership in Compliance
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:10am - 9:00am EST
The objective of this session is to explore and discuss the pivotal role of leadership in fostering a culture of compliance within organizations. By highlighting best practices, sharing real-world case studies, and providing actionable strategies, this session aims to equip leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance consumer product safety and regulatory adherence.

Effective compliance in consumer product safety is not merely about adhering to regulations but about creating a culture where safety and ethical standards are ingrained in every facet of the organization. Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping this culture. This session will delve into how leaders can drive compliance from the top down, address challenges, and leverage best practices to achieve and maintain high standards in product safety.
Moderators
avatar for Kenneth d’Entremont

Kenneth d’Entremont

Professor (Lecturer), University of Utah
Ken d’Entremont, Ph.D., P.E., is Professor (Lecturer) in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah. He teaches courses in Product Safety, Engineering Ethics, System Safety, Industrial Safety, and interdisciplinary Occupational & Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) at the... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Torine Creppy

Torine Creppy

President, Safe Kids Worldwide
Torine Creppy is the president of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting kids from preventable injuries. For 25+ years, Ms. Creppy has dedicated her career to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families, especially the most vulnerable... Read More →
avatar for Pinuccia Contino

Pinuccia Contino

Deputy to the Director for Consumers & Head of Unit Product Safety and Rapid Alert System, European Commission
Pinuccia Contino is the Deputy to the Director for Consumers & Head of the Product Safety and Rapid Alert System Unit in the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST). In this capacity, she is responsible for the European Union's legislation on general product safety... Read More →
avatar for Galia Frez

Galia Frez

VP Product QA & Regulatory Affairs, Hasbro
Galia Frez is Vice President of Quality Assurance and Global Regulatory Affairs for Hasbro, Inc. Based in Rhode Island.She leads teams responsible for Product Regulatory and Quality Policy, Chemical Compliance and Quality of in-house and out-licensed consumer products. She works with... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:10am - 9:00am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

9:10am EST

Breakout 5 (REPEATING 9): ESG and Product Safety
Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am EST
In a world where consumer trust linked to safety as well as sustainability is becoming ever more important, the overlap between ESG and safety requirements is an increasingly complex area that stakeholders must navigate. During this session, we will seek perspectives and experiences from industry and external advisors on the growing role of environmental regulation in product safety, the challenges and opportunities that this presents, and hopes and fears as we head into 2025. Attendees will gain insights into how businesses are incorporating ESG goals to enhance safety, transparency, and sustainability in product development and supply chains. Key topics include:
  •        The Role of ESG in Product Safety: Why aligning safety practices with ESG is essential for consumer trust and corporate resilience.
  •       Best Practices and Innovations: Examples of how companies are integrating ESG compliance into their safety strategies.
  •       Regulatory Trends and Compliance: Understanding how global ESG and safety regulations are shaping industry practice.
  •       Challenges and Opportunities: Navigating complexities and leveraging ESG to drive safer, more sustainable products. 
Join industry leaders and experts for this engaging discussion on creating a safer, more responsible future through the synergy of ESG and product safety.


Moderators
avatar for James Gallagher

James Gallagher

Partner, Mason Hayes & Curran LLP
James is a partner in the Product Regulatory & Liability team at Mason Hayes & Curran LLP in Dublin, Ireland. He specialises in the regulation of consumer products, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and food in the EU. James is qualified to practice law in both the EU and UK and has... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for John McNulty

John McNulty

Director of Product Safety and Compliance Engineering for Hardware, Google LLC
John McNulty is the Director of Product Safety and Compliance Engineering for Hardware at Google LLC. He is an engineer with a Materials Science background with 35 years of experience in most end-use markets, covering Materials characterization, Fracture and fatigue testing, Failure... Read More →
avatar for Joanne O'Donnell

Joanne O'Donnell

Head of Global Regulatory Compliance Team, Compliance and Risks
Joanne heads up the Global Regulatory Compliance team at Compliance and Risks (C&R) where she leads a team of over 40 international regulatory consultants in the EU and US.  She qualified as a Solicitor in Ireland in 2003 and has extensive national and international legal experience... Read More →
avatar for Vladimir Brajkovic

Vladimir Brajkovic

Risk & Compliance Manager, IKEA
Vladimir Brajkovic joined IKEA of Sweden in 2016 as Product Requirements & Compliance Manager. Since then he was responsible for Development Function, Range & Product Engineering and Product Risk & Compliance. Since late 2021, he is the Risk & Compliance Manager at IKEA of Sweden... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am EST
Grand Cypress A-C

9:10am EST

Breakout 6 (REPEATING 10): How to deal with Frankenstein Product
Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am EST
Reparability, sustainability, durability have become key words in the products world. Authorities, NGOs and consumers want to have products' lifespan extended in an easy and cheap way, even when products present high technology. Consumers do not necessarily want to go to the manufacturer to get spare parts, want to choose where to repair their products and how, even when it relates to safety-related components. Once there is an issue, the brand manufacturer is however always the one whose liability is sought. But when is a product not anymore the initial product? When is the manufacturer not the manufacturer anymore? How far should manufacturers anticipate changes that can be done to their products?
Moderators
avatar for Sylvie Gallage-Alwis

Sylvie Gallage-Alwis

Partner, Signature Litigation
Sylvie Gallage-Alwis is the head of the product litigation practice of the disputes specialist law firm Signature Litigation.She specialises in product liability, product safety, toxic tort, mass litigation/class actions, regulatory compliance and climate change litigation.Sylvie... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Martyn Allen

Martyn Allen

Technical Director, Electrical Safety First
Martyn Allen is the Technical Director at Electrical Safety First. He is responsible for leading the Charity’s technical team as an impartial centre of excellence on all matters relating to the safety of electrical installations and electrical products, including representing consumer... Read More →
avatar for Jonathan Judge

Jonathan Judge

Partner, Schiff Hardin LLP
Jonathan is frequently asked to handle challenging cases involving consumer products, particularly those involving children and/or serious or fatal injuries to others. He also advises domestic and overseas manufacturers on their regulatory and product liability challenges across the... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am EST
Regency 1-4 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

9:10am EST

Breakout 7 (REPEATING 11): Power In Little Hands: New Insights in Child Strength for Product and Safety Standards
Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am EST
Attendees will learn about newly available functional children's strength data gathered by University of Michigan through a project funded by CPSC. A diverse panel of representatives from the research study team, product standards and regulatory bodies, consulting, and industry will present the study methods and results, discuss how the research is aimed to be used for standards development, and how child strength data is used in product design or safety assessments.
Minimal information on strength is available for children under age 6 years. To address this gap, 580 children ages 2 through 11 years participated in this study. Exertion tasks included standing pushing and pulling with one and two hands, seated pushes and pulls with one and two hands, seated pushing with both feet, and other hand strength measures. Interface forces were measured for an additional 170 children ages 6 to 23 months who interacted with toy-like objects.
Moderators
avatar for Rose Figueroa, PhD, CHFP

Rose Figueroa, PhD, CHFP

Principal Consultant, Rimkus
Dr. Figueroa is a Principal Consultant at Rimkus, where she provides cognitive, perceptual, and physical human factors/ergonomics consulting to assist clients in the investigation and prevention of accidents and injuries, as well as in the evaluation of accidents in a wide range of... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Jonathan Midgett

Jonathan Midgett

Consumer Ombudsman, US CPSC
Jonathan Midgett, Ph.D. is the Consumer Ombudsman at the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in Bethesda, Maryland [https://www.cpsc.gov/About-CPSC/Consumer-Ombudsman]. Since joining CPSC in 2001, Dr. Midgett has been evaluating emerging hazards and contributing to the... Read More →
avatar for Monica Jones, PhD BCPE

Monica Jones, PhD BCPE

Associate Research Scientist, University of Michigan
Dr. Jones is an Associate Research Scientist in the Biosciences group at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Her research focuses on human factors, engineering anthropometry, vehicle occupant protection, human modeling for vehicle design and other areas of... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

9:10am EST

Breakout 8 (REPEATING 12): Have your say: how can stakeholders make a difference in shaping policy and laws
Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am EST
This outcomes focused session will explore the opportunities for all types of stakeholders to participate and provide feedback at different stages of policy and law making in the EU, US and UK, and in the development of standards. The panel will explore the benefits of engaging, whether stakeholders really can make a difference and discuss ways to make engagement more effective.
Moderators
avatar for Ed Turtle

Ed Turtle

Associate, Cooley
Ed Turtle is a senior lawyer on Cooley’s international products team with more than a decade of experience providing strategic advice to companies in the technology and consumer product sectors. He has particular experience in areas where technology has outpaced regulation and is... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Brett Horn

Brett Horn

Founder, Charlies House
Brett Horn is the founder of Charlie's House in Kansas City, MO, whose mission is to prevent accidents and injuries to children in and around the home. He is also active in other product safety areas as the Vice Chair of Consumer Participation of ASTM Executive Committee on Consumer... Read More →
avatar for Elizabeth Hyman

Elizabeth Hyman

President and Chief Executive Officer, XR Association (XRA)
Elizabeth Hyman is President and Chief Executive Officer of the XR Association (XRA), the trade association promoting the dynamic growth of the XR industry which includes virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed-reality, and immersive technologies yet to be invented. XRA is dedicated... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith

Deputy Chief Executive, Office for Product Safety and Standards, UK
Sarah is the Deputy Chief Executive of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade. She leads the UK Government’s approach to product regulation and market surveillance, and legal metrology, including administering new sovereign... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am EST
Regency 5-9 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

10:00am EST

Networking, Exhibits & Poster Viewing Break
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Please be sure to stop by and visit the exhibitors and check out the poster displays in the exhibit hall while enjoying some food and beverage treats.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:00am EST

Poster: ANSI Z535.7 and beyond - Introduction to the new standard for presenting safety information in electronic media
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
For decades, ANSI Z535 standards have provided guidance for presenting safety information in media such as safety signs, product labels, and, since 2006, product manuals and collateral materials. With evolving technology and connectivity, people - both product users and manufacturers - are increasingly turning to electronic media as another channel for finding or providing product information. ANSI Z535.7, the American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Electronic Media, helps bring ANSI Z535 concepts into these newer media. This poster provides an introduction to ANSI Z535.7 and also touches on some considerations of presenting safety information in electronic media that go beyond the standard.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:00am EST

Poster: Best Practices in Evaluating Lithium-Ion Batteries
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
The poster presentation focuses on an investigation into the evaluation of batteries for various properties that impact performance and safety. The batteries tested have been sourced from a variety of manufacturers for comparative analysis. The audience will gain knowledge in what potential pitfalls exist within lithium-ion batteries, and what is necessary to identify those, prior to implementation in a product. Data will be presented showing the wide variety in quality of batteries and how different operating conditions impact their performance and lifetime characteristics. Specific topics explored will include battery cell construction, energy capacity, degradation leading to capacity loss, and how quickly end of life is reached.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:00am EST

Poster: Dog Anatomy Data Collection - Research to Fuel the Dog Equivalent of the Small Parts Cylinder
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
CSU, in partnership with the ASTM F15.05 subcommittee on pet products, has begun a research project to use CT scanning technology and an inflator balloon to collect anthropometric data around different points of "narrowing" in the digestive tract of different sized dogs. Additionally CSU will collect head, jaw, and mouth dimensions. Among other things, the intent is for this data to fuel to development of choking/ingestion test cylinders for dog toys, the dog equivalent of the human toy small parts cylinder.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:00am EST

Poster: Improving Data Reporting to Avoid TSCA Pitfalls: A Call for Engagement of Downstream Users
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Under the US EPA’s TSCA program for existing chemicals, providing insufficient or incomplete data about a business’s product or process can lead to erroneous risk conclusions by EPA and, ultimately, unnecessary and costly risk management measures.  Small and midsize enterprises and downstream users of a chemical are particularly vulnerable to these determinations.  To avoid this outcome, stakeholders up and down the value chain should be engaged in the TSCA process as early as possible.  A review of the types of data needed by EPA was performed to assist the regulated community with identifying and organizing their data to optimize the accuracy of EPA’s risk assessment conclusions on the relevant Conditions of Use.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:00am EST

Poster: Inmetro's advances in market surveillance in Brazil
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Market Surveillance is one of the pillars of quality infrastructure. In order to improve its activities in this area, Inmetro, the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology of Brazil, plays a crucial role in ensuring product safety and compliance with technical regulations. As part of it's strategy it was established the Safety Products Laboratory-Nusep/Divig/Dconf/Inmetro in 2023. Among its activities, it has been carrying out several testing of products that are under regulation of Inmetro’s certification. Recently the laboratory was responsible for the organization of special operations in the country, for instance, one dedicated to wires and cables (43% of manufacturers showed irregularities) and another for toys (10% of the products showed some restrictions). The results are contributing to get a better quality of products available to consumers.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:00am EST

Poster: Made of recycled PET?
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Consumers embrace the concept of recycling and brand owners want to offer products that respond to such noble aspiration. But, without proper traceability mechanisms, it is hard to confidently claim the amount of recycled material used in a finished good. Incremental cost and limited availability amount of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) have led to erroneous claims about 2/3 of the time.

This poster will share how a methodology was developed and accredited to accurately identify and quantify rPET. It will share the challenges faced during development, the selection of the chemical marker and the equipment evaluated and utilized to have the most consistent and accurate measurement.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:00am EST

Poster: YouthShape.US: A New Study of Child and Youth Anthropometry and Physical Capability
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Data on the body dimensions of youth are widely used in design and regulatory applications. However, the U.S. has not had a public, well-sampled, detailed child anthropometry study since the 1970s. Importantly, less information is available on body shape. To address this gap, body size, shape, health and physical capability data were gathered on 600 children ages 3 through 17 years. Data included 1D and 3D anthropometry (head, hand, foot and whole body), body composition, and measures of strength and fitness. Study outcomes will be used to create a new public archive of anthropometry and physical development data for U.S. youth. The dataset and interactive design tools will serve as a valuable resource for the design and evaluation of products and systems children use.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:00am EST

Intertek Sponsored Headshot Studio - Open to All
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 6:00pm EST
There's no better time than the present to make the best impression possible. Visit the Intertek Sponsored Headshot Studio. Our photographer will capture the essence of your professional brand in a single image.  Walk in, or sign up at the registration desk in advance. Either way, it only takes a minute.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:00am - 6:00pm EST

10:30am EST

Breakout 09 (REPEATING 5): ESG and Product Safety
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EST
In a world where consumer trust linked to safety as well as sustainability is becoming ever more important, the overlap between ESG and safety requirements is an increasingly complex area that stakeholders must navigate. During this session, we will seek perspectives and experiences from industry and external advisors on the growing role of environmental regulation in product safety, the challenges and opportunities that this presents, and hopes and fears as we head into 2025. Attendees will gain insights into how businesses are incorporating ESG goals to enhance safety, transparency, and sustainability in product development and supply chains. Key topics include:
  •        The Role of ESG in Product Safety: Why aligning safety practices with ESG is essential for consumer trust and corporate resilience.
  •       Best Practices and Innovations: Examples of how companies are integrating ESG compliance into their safety strategies.
  •       Regulatory Trends and Compliance: Understanding how global ESG and safety regulations are shaping industry practice.
  •       Challenges and Opportunities: Navigating complexities and leveraging ESG to drive safer, more sustainable products. 
Join industry leaders and experts for this engaging discussion on creating a safer, more responsible future through the synergy of ESG and product safety.
Moderators
avatar for James Gallagher

James Gallagher

Partner, Mason Hayes & Curran LLP
James is a partner in the Product Regulatory & Liability team at Mason Hayes & Curran LLP in Dublin, Ireland. He specialises in the regulation of consumer products, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and food in the EU. James is qualified to practice law in both the EU and UK and has... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for John McNulty

John McNulty

Director of Product Safety and Compliance Engineering for Hardware, Google LLC
John McNulty is the Director of Product Safety and Compliance Engineering for Hardware at Google LLC. He is an engineer with a Materials Science background with 35 years of experience in most end-use markets, covering Materials characterization, Fracture and fatigue testing, Failure... Read More →
avatar for Joanne O'Donnell

Joanne O'Donnell

Head of Global Regulatory Compliance Team, Compliance and Risks
Joanne heads up the Global Regulatory Compliance team at Compliance and Risks (C&R) where she leads a team of over 40 international regulatory consultants in the EU and US.  She qualified as a Solicitor in Ireland in 2003 and has extensive national and international legal experience... Read More →
avatar for Vladimir Brajkovic

Vladimir Brajkovic

Risk & Compliance Manager, IKEA
Vladimir Brajkovic joined IKEA of Sweden in 2016 as Product Requirements & Compliance Manager. Since then he was responsible for Development Function, Range & Product Engineering and Product Risk & Compliance. Since late 2021, he is the Risk & Compliance Manager at IKEA of Sweden... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EST
Grand Cypress A-C

10:30am EST

Breakout 10 (REPEATING 6): How to deal with Frankenstein Product
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EST
Reparability, sustainability, durability have become key words in the products world. Authorities, NGOs and consumers want to have products' lifespan extended in an easy and cheap way, even when products present high technology. Consumers do not necessarily want to go to the manufacturer to get spare parts, want to choose where to repair their products and how, even when it relates to safety-related components. Once there is an issue, the brand manufacturer is however always the one whose liability is sought. But when is a product not anymore the initial product? When is the manufacturer not the manufacturer anymore? How far should manufacturers anticipate changes that can be done to their products?
Moderators
avatar for Sylvie Gallage-Alwis

Sylvie Gallage-Alwis

Partner, Signature Litigation
Sylvie Gallage-Alwis is the head of the product litigation practice of the disputes specialist law firm Signature Litigation.She specialises in product liability, product safety, toxic tort, mass litigation/class actions, regulatory compliance and climate change litigation.Sylvie... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Martyn Allen

Martyn Allen

Technical Director, Electrical Safety First
Martyn Allen is the Technical Director at Electrical Safety First. He is responsible for leading the Charity’s technical team as an impartial centre of excellence on all matters relating to the safety of electrical installations and electrical products, including representing consumer... Read More →
avatar for Jonathan Judge

Jonathan Judge

Partner, Schiff Hardin LLP
Jonathan is frequently asked to handle challenging cases involving consumer products, particularly those involving children and/or serious or fatal injuries to others. He also advises domestic and overseas manufacturers on their regulatory and product liability challenges across the... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EST
Regency 1-4 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

10:30am EST

Breakout 11 (REPEATING 7): Power In Little Hands: New Insights in Child Strength for Product and Safety Standards
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EST
Attendees will learn about newly available functional children's strength data gathered by University of Michigan through a project funded by CPSC. A diverse panel of representatives from the research study team, product standards and regulatory bodies, consulting, and industry will present the study methods and results, discuss how the research is aimed to be used for standards development, and how child strength data is used in product design or safety assessments.
Minimal information on strength is available for children under age 6 years. To address this gap, 580 children ages 2 through 11 years participated in this study. Exertion tasks included standing pushing and pulling with one and two hands, seated pushes and pulls with one and two hands, seated pushing with both feet, and other hand strength measures. Interface forces were measured for an additional 170 children ages 6 to 23 months who interacted with toy-like objects.
Moderators
avatar for Rose Figueroa, PhD, CHFP

Rose Figueroa, PhD, CHFP

Principal Consultant, Rimkus
Dr. Figueroa is a Principal Consultant at Rimkus, where she provides cognitive, perceptual, and physical human factors/ergonomics consulting to assist clients in the investigation and prevention of accidents and injuries, as well as in the evaluation of accidents in a wide range of... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Jonathan Midgett

Jonathan Midgett

Consumer Ombudsman, US CPSC
Jonathan Midgett, Ph.D. is the Consumer Ombudsman at the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in Bethesda, Maryland [https://www.cpsc.gov/About-CPSC/Consumer-Ombudsman]. Since joining CPSC in 2001, Dr. Midgett has been evaluating emerging hazards and contributing to the... Read More →
avatar for Monica Jones, PhD BCPE

Monica Jones, PhD BCPE

Associate Research Scientist, University of Michigan
Dr. Jones is an Associate Research Scientist in the Biosciences group at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Her research focuses on human factors, engineering anthropometry, vehicle occupant protection, human modeling for vehicle design and other areas of... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

10:30am EST

Breakout 12 (REPEATING 8): Have Your Say: How Can Stakeholders Make a Difference in Shaping Policy and Laws
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EST
This outcomes focused session will explore the opportunities for all types of stakeholders to participate and provide feedback at different stages of policy and law making in the EU, US and UK, and in the development of standards. The panel will explore the benefits of engaging, whether stakeholders really can make a difference and discuss ways to make engagement more effective.
Moderators
avatar for Ed Turtle

Ed Turtle

Associate, Cooley
Ed Turtle is a senior lawyer on Cooley’s international products team with more than a decade of experience providing strategic advice to companies in the technology and consumer product sectors. He has particular experience in areas where technology has outpaced regulation and is... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Brett Horn

Brett Horn

Founder, Charlies House
Brett Horn is the founder of Charlie's House in Kansas City, MO, whose mission is to prevent accidents and injuries to children in and around the home. He is also active in other product safety areas as the Vice Chair of Consumer Participation of ASTM Executive Committee on Consumer... Read More →
avatar for Elizabeth Hyman

Elizabeth Hyman

President and Chief Executive Officer, XR Association (XRA)
Elizabeth Hyman is President and Chief Executive Officer of the XR Association (XRA), the trade association promoting the dynamic growth of the XR industry which includes virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed-reality, and immersive technologies yet to be invented. XRA is dedicated... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith

Deputy Chief Executive, Office for Product Safety and Standards, UK
Sarah is the Deputy Chief Executive of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade. She leads the UK Government’s approach to product regulation and market surveillance, and legal metrology, including administering new sovereign... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EST
Regency 5-9 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

11:30am EST

Breakout 13: Global Crisis Management: Navigating Reporting Standards & Recall Procedures Across the US, Canada, Europe and Australia (CLE Credits)
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EST
The presentation will explore the complexities of consumer reporting standards and recall procedures for across the globe (United States, Canada, Europe, UK and Australia). Through a dynamic simulated crisis scenario, we will explore the intricacies of managing a product recall that spans multiple jurisdictions, highlighting the challenges and best practices for ensuring compliance and maintaining consumer trust. This session delves into legal obligations, notification requirements, communication strategies, and operational considerations essential for effectively handling recalls in diverse regulatory environments. Attendees will gain valuable insights into coordinating cross-border responses, understanding the nuances of varying regulatory requirements, and mitigating risks associated with international product distribution.
Moderators
avatar for Lindsay Lorimer

Lindsay Lorimer

Partner, Mcmillan
Lindsay Lorimer is a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group.  Lindsay's practice is heavily focused on product liability defence and products related regulatory issues.Lindsay has extensive experience defending class actions and both individual and commercial product... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Mike Gentine

Mike Gentine

Counsel, Arnold & Porter LLP
Mike Gentine is a former senior counsel with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mike advises manufacturers, retailers and other commercial clients on product safety and regulatory issues. He is experienced with legal, regulatory, enforcement, and penalty matters before... Read More →
avatar for Sarah-Jane Dobson

Sarah-Jane Dobson

Partner, Ashurst LLP
Sarah-Jane Dobson is the Global Head of Product Litigation and Regulatory Risk at Ashurst where she is a Partner in the London office.She is routinely recognised as a market-leading international product safety lawyer in her field, specialising in product compliance, product safety... Read More →
avatar for Andrew Morrison

Andrew Morrison

Partner, Clayton Utz
Andrew is internationally recognised as a leading Australian product liability and class actions lawyer with over three decades of experience defending complex claims across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, competition, and commercial disputes. A partner in Clayton Utz’s... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EST
Regency 1-4 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

11:30am EST

Breakout 14: Visualizing Consumer Complaints: A Data-Driven Approach to Enhancing Product Safety
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EST
In today’s fast-paced world, understanding trends in consumer complaint data is essential for proactively addressing potential safety concerns. Effective data analysis, enhanced by AI-driven techniques such as natural language processing (NLP), enables quick identification of issues and the implementation of corrective actions. Thanks to advanced data visualization tools like AWS QuickSight, Power BI, and Tableau, handling and interpreting complex datasets is now more straightforward than ever. This session will demonstrate how these tools, combined with AI processing, can consolidate disparate data sources into a single, cohesive platform, enabling the creation of meaningful metrics and trend visualizations that drive informed decision-making and enhance product safety.
Moderators
avatar for Lee Tympanick

Lee Tympanick

Senior Quality Engineer, Hasbro
Lee Tympanick is a data-driven safety and quality engineer with over a decade of experience in the toy industry. At Hasbro, Lee leverages tools like Power BI and Power Automate to uncover insights and guide proactive risk mitigation. Dedicated to improving product safety and quality... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Alan Abrahams

Alan Abrahams

Assoc. Professor, Business Information Technology, Virginia Tech
Alan S. Abrahams is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Information Technology, Pamplin College of Business, at Virginia Tech. His primary research interest is in developing text analytic techniques for detecting product safety concerns. His research has analyzed... Read More →
avatar for Tanya Coutray

Tanya Coutray

Worldwide Principal Data & AI Strategist, Amazon
Tanya Coutray is the Worldwide Principal Data & AI Strategist for Retail & CPG at Amazon Web Services. With over 20 years of leadership experience in digital transformation, data management, and advanced analytics, including key roles at Amazon and Walmart, she empowers organizations... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

11:30am EST

Breakout 15: Gamechangers
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EST
Consumer tech has been in the regulator's spotlight over recent years, with a significant amount of legislation being redrafted or created in order to manage some of the perceived threats and challenges in this area. Join us for a fact packed, insightful and fast paced discussion looking at some of the most recent landmark legislation which we consider will have (or has had) the biggest gamechanger in terms of the consumer tech product safety landscape - and help us decide which piece of legislation will have the biggest impact.
Moderators
avatar for Emma Bichet

Emma Bichet

Special Counsel, Cooley LLP Brussels
Emma is a Special Counsel in Cooley’s Brussels office.  She is part of the international products team and leads Cooley’s ESG and sustainability advisory practice in Europe. She has extensive experience advising on European Union and United Kingdom environmental, social and governance... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Evan Friedler

Evan Friedler

Associate General Counsel, Wayfair LLC
Evan Friedler serves as Associate General Counsel to Wayfair and leads their Regulatory and Government Affairs team. Evan and his team ensure that Wayfair's customers can safely and legally find exactly what they want from a selection of tens of millions of items across home furnishings... Read More →
avatar for Amy Lane

Amy Lane

Director, Regulatory Compliance, Lovevery, Inc.
Amy Lane serves as Lovevery, Inc.'s Regulatory Compliance Director, overseeing adherence to stringent safety and integrity standards for their subscription-based offerings tailored to families with children aged birth to 4 years old. With a professional background spanning over 17... Read More →
avatar for John McGann

John McGann

Senior Managing Scientist, Exponent
Dr. McGann has his degree in Chemistry and has been a consultant at Exponent for 10 years. He advises clients from a diverse set of industries, focusing on matters related to batteries and electronics. His technical support primarily covers product safety, quality, and failure analysis... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EST
Regency 5-9 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

11:30am EST

Breakout 16: "Warning! This product will …" Recommendations from experts for dealing with Proposition 65
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EST
Despite only applying to products sold in California, the testing and labeling requirements of Proposition 65 impact consumer products sold world-wide.  This session will be aimed at providing helpful information to individuals new to Prop65 as well to those who deal with it on a regular basis.  We will review the chemicals that are commonly named in suits across different product categories, discuss ways to prioritize your product portfolio for evaluation, and consider the limitations of limited chemical testing and use of settlement values adopted for different products.  We will also provide an update on new developments such as the increasing number of lawsuits involving PFAS and the proposed plans to alter the nature of the short form warning that is currently used by many companies.
Moderators
avatar for Susan Kirsch

Susan Kirsch

Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
Susan works across RILA’s many regulatory and compliance areas, including consumer products safety, and plays a key role in RILA’s advocacy and engagement with stakeholders and regulators at the federal and state levels. Before joining RILA in 2020, she served as a Government... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Thomas Lewandowski

Thomas Lewandowski

Principal and Toxicologist, Gradient
Dr. Tom Lewandowski is a toxicologist and chemist working in Gradient’s Seattle, Washington office. He has over 30 years of experience in product safety assessment, including evaluating the potential of various types of consumer products to cause adverse effects when in contact... Read More →
avatar for Justin Burmeister

Justin Burmeister

Director - Chemistry and Business Innovation, ATS
avatar for Lauren Shoor

Lauren Shoor

Senior Counsel, Norton Rose Fulbright
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EST
Grand Cypress A-C

12:30pm EST

Lunch and Keynote 2: Ronald J. Masciantonio, EVP, General Counsel and New Business Development, Five Below
Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm EST
Speakers
avatar for Kim Mason

Kim Mason

Vice President, Product Quality and Compliance and ICPHSO President, Five Below
Kim Mason is the Vice President of Product Quality and Compliance at Five Below. She leads a team who implements and manages processes, systems, and training related to product safety, testing and regulatory compliance. Kim also oversees Five Below’s social responsibility program... Read More →
avatar for Ron J. Masciantonio

Ron J. Masciantonio

Executive Vice President, General Counsel & New Business Development, Five Below
Ron Masciantonio is the Executive Vice President, General Counsel & New Business Development at FiveBelow, Inc. (NASDAQ: FIVE), one of the fastest-growing value retailers in the world. Catering to tweens, teens, andbeyond, Five Below offers high-quality, trend-right products through... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

2:10pm EST

Breakout 17: Belonging Roundtable: Accessibility in Product Safety
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
Join ICPHSO’s discussion for a roundtable discussions on accessibility in product safety. This session will explore the integration of accessibility principles into product safety standards, ensuring that products are safe to use for all individuals, including those with disabilities.  Millions of consumer products are used by individuals with unique abilities and needs each day. The roundtable discussion will focus on identifying barriers to implementing accessibility in product safety and best practices to enhance accessibility in product safety and promote inclusive and safe product designs. This session will foster continued collaboration and commitment to accessibility, driving innovation and improving overall product safety standards.
Moderators
avatar for Courtney Griffin

Courtney Griffin

Director of Consumer Product Safety, Consumer Federation of America
Courtney Griffin is the Director of Consumer Product Safety for the Consumer Federation of America.  She advocates for consumer product safety in Congress and at regulatory agencies, communicates policy positions to the public and press, provides educational tools for consumers... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Nancy Cowles

Nancy Cowles

Consumer Advocate, N/A
Nancy Cowles served for 23 years as executive director of Kids In Danger (KID), an organization dedicated to protecting children by fighting for children’s product safety.  KID’s mission was to save lives by enhancing transparency and accountability through safer product development... Read More →
avatar for Cleo Stamatos

Cleo Stamatos

Consumer and Legislative Outreach Manager, ANSI
Cleo Manuel Stamatos is aconsumer and legislative outreach manager at the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). She has more than 25 years of experience working in consumer outreach, public affairs, and legislative activities. Prior to joining ANSI in 2021, Stamatos was a... Read More →
avatar for Wei Wei

Wei Wei

Product Safety Manager, Google LLC
Mr. Wei Wei has spent more than 20 years in the consumer electronics industry, with extensive experience in product failure investigations, risk assessment and management. He was trained in semiconductor physics and electrical engineering, which helped him navigate complex system... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

2:10pm EST

Breakout 18: Love 'Em or Hate 'Em, PFAS are Forever: The Good, The Bad, The Forever (CLE Credits)
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of consumer products are being impacted by laws regulating the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) in their products. This area is rapidly developing as states create new laws or amend existing ones, and the penalties and litigation risks for non-compliance can be significant.
With 13 states having enacted PFAS consumer product laws, and another 10 states having proposed PFAS consumer product laws, the patchwork of state compliance obligations is growing. This panel will provide practical tips on adapting product safety compliance programs to meet evolving PFAS regulatory requirements.
Importantly, the panel will tackle the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”) Section 8(a)(7), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reporting obligations for PFAS, discuss what evidence that reporting is creating for regulators, and how the Consumer Product Safety Commission might be able to use the information to begin regulating PFAS in products.
Moderators
avatar for Warren Lehrenbaum

Warren Lehrenbaum

Partner, Crowell & Moring
Warren Lehrenbaum, partner at Crowell & Moring, represents individual companies and trade associations before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where he advocates on behalf... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Susan Kirsch

Susan Kirsch

Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
Susan works across RILA’s many regulatory and compliance areas, including consumer products safety, and plays a key role in RILA’s advocacy and engagement with stakeholders and regulators at the federal and state levels. Before joining RILA in 2020, she served as a Government... Read More →
avatar for Kirk Koudelka

Kirk Koudelka

Assistant Commissioner, Land Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Kirk Koudelka was appointed assistant commissioner for land policy and strategic initiatives at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in May 2012. Prior to that, Kirk served as the legislative director at the MPCA. He led the agency’s legislative efforts for the 2011 through 2014... Read More →
avatar for Jay West

Jay West

Senior Director, Chem Products and Technology, American Chemistry Council
Jay West is the Senior Director, Chemical Products and Technology at the American Chemistry Counsel or ACC in Washington, D.C. Among his current duties is serving as the Executive Director of ACC’s Performance Fluoropolymer Partnership, a specialty trade association that works at... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
Regency 1-4 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

2:10pm EST

Breakout 19: Make Your Case: The Importance of Data and Collaboration in Standards Development
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
When leading physicians presented evidence regarding the prevalence and severity of injuries associated with removing hot food from microwaves, it was clear to relevant stakeholders that they needed to work together to address this challenge.  Armed with the information from that data analysis, manufacturers, regulators, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders created a UL task force to revise the standard This is one of many examples of standard improvements based on strong data and through collaboration.  Stakeholders hoping to address hazards will improve decision-making abilities, reduce risk, and increase efficiency by providing quality data.  Most importantly, all parties must be willing to listen to the data, and each other, to collaborate on a solution.  Those who were at the table will share lessons learned from their work to improve the microwave oven standard and provide advice on how stakeholders can work together to advance product safety.
Moderators
avatar for Randy Cooper

Randy Cooper

Vice President of Technical Operations & Standards, AHAM
Randy joined AHAM in July 2016 as AHAM’s Vice President of Technical Operations & Standards. In this role, he is the staff leader on a host of technical and regulatory issues, including liaison with safety and performance standards organizations. He is the staff coordinator for... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Gina Lowell MD, MPH

Gina Lowell MD, MPH

General Academic Pediatrician, Rush University Medical Center
Gina Lowell MD, MPH is a general academic pediatrician at Rush University Children’s Hospital in Chicago with specialty interests in childhood injury, child abuse and neglect, and early relational health, including longitudinal clinical research and advocacy to examine and prevent... Read More →
avatar for Kyran Hoff

Kyran Hoff

Executive Director, Chief Engineer, GE Appliances, a Haier company
Kyran Hoff is Executive Director, Chief Engineer for GE Appliances, a Haier Company headquartered in Louisville, KY.  Her career spans over 28 years with GE Appliances in roles of increasing responsibility within the engineering organization.  Kyran currently leads the Office of... Read More →
avatar for Miles Coric

Miles Coric

AHL Program Leader, UL Standards & Engagement
Milos is a Senior Program Manager for ULSE. Milos was most recently the Director of Product Engineering at WernerCo, leading a team of engineers and designers.  He has extensive engineering experience in the commercial and power tool industry, and outdoor power equipment, including... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
Regency 5-9 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

2:10pm EST

Breakout 20: Navigating the Digital Landscape: Streamlining CPSC e-Filing for Compliance
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
The CPSC has approved and finalized the eFiling requirements and effective dates of July 8, 2026 and January 8, 2027. The voluntary period is now underway, allowing for importers to gain access to the Product Registry in advance of the mandatory compliance deadlines.

This session features a diverse panel discussion on the background, requirements, impacts and implementation strategies from various viewpoints and experience. By attending, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the CPSC eFiling regulation and the most current updates. The panel discussion will provide valuable insights into practical strategies and best practices. Attendees will leave this session with actionable steps to ensure compliance ahead of the upcoming effective dates for compliance.
Moderators
avatar for Kelly Nasradinaj

Kelly Nasradinaj

Global Technical Account Manager/Engineer, Bureau Veritas Consumer Product Services
Kelly Nasradinaj is the Director of Global Technical Account Management/Engineer for Bureau Veritas Consumer Product Services. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering and an MBA, both from the University at Buffalo.Kelly began her career in manufacturing... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Matt Howsare

Matt Howsare

Partner, Cooley
Matt is the chair of Cooley’s North American product safety practice and a leading global consumer product safety and compliance lawyer who counsels manufacturers, retailers, distributors, trade associations and consumer product companies on issues within all aspects of a product’s... Read More →
avatar for Jim Joholske

Jim Joholske

Director, Office of Import Surveillance, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Import Surveillance
James “Jim” Joholske is Director of the Office of Import Surveillance at the U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission (CPSC). He began his career at CPSC in July 2000 in the agency’s Office ofCompliance and Field Operations. While in the Office of Compliance and Field Operations... Read More →
avatar for David Smith

David Smith

Compliance Director, Product Safety and Compliance, LEGO
Dave Smith is the Compliance Director at LEGO Systems, Inc., the US entity within the LEGO Group. In this role, he is responsible for ensuring that LEGO branded products are compliant with legislation and standards in North America and meet strict global LEGO safety and quality standards.Dave... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
Grand Cypress A-C

3:10pm EST

Plenary Session 4: Leveraging AI for Transforming Product Safety Learnings
Tuesday February 18, 2025 3:10pm - 4:00pm EST
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in product safety has the potential to revolutionize the way we extract and analyze learnings from publicly available databases. This panel proposal aims to explore the application of AI in enhancing product safety learnings by extracting insights from resources such as CPSC's NEISS, Clearinghouse, OECD recalls, CPSC recalls, and other product safety data repositories.

The panel will comprise of distinguished product safety stakeholders from industry, standards organizations, and regulatory bodies, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise.

Through interactive discussions, the panelists will delve into the challenges, opportunities, and best practices associated with integrating AI in product safety learnings. By fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing, this panel aims to provide actionable insights and recommendations for organizations, including regulators, seeking to harness the power of AI in improving product safety learnings.
Moderators
avatar for Sunil Lakhiani

Sunil Lakhiani

Sr. Safety Engineer - Human Factors, Amazon Lab126
Sunil Lakhiani, Ph.D., P.E., is a human factors and product safety expert with over 20 years of experience spanning consumer and industrial products. He is currently a human factors safety lead at Amazon Lab126 where he works on evaluating product safety through evidence-based methodologies... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Elliot Kaye

Elliot Kaye

Partner, Cooley
Elliot is the former chairman of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), serving as the nation’s chief product safety official and as the agency’s leader in executing its mandate to protect the public from dangerous products. During his tenure, Elliot modernized the... Read More →
avatar for Lynn Berndt-Weis

Lynn Berndt-Weis

Director, Assessment, Information and Engagement Bureau, Health Canada
Lynn Berndt-Weis is the Director of the Assessment, Information and Engagement Bureau within Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Program. In this role, Lynn oversees activities to identify, assess, and manage health and safety risks posed by consumer products and cosmetics.The... Read More →
avatar for Priya Gopalakrishnan

Priya Gopalakrishnan

Product Safety Manager, Google LLC
Priya Gopalakrishnan, Ph.D. is a product safety manager at Google LLC in Mountain View, California where she manages investigations of all safety escalations related to Pixel phones and Pixel buds.  She works with cross functional hardware and software teams to identify, assess and... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 3:10pm - 4:00pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

4:00pm EST

Poster: ANSI Z535.7 and beyond - Introduction to the new standard for presenting safety information in electronic media
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
For decades, ANSI Z535 standards have provided guidance for presenting safety information in media such as safety signs, product labels, and, since 2006, product manuals and collateral materials. With evolving technology and connectivity, people - both product users and manufacturers - are increasingly turning to electronic media as another channel for finding or providing product information. ANSI Z535.7, the American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Electronic Media, helps bring ANSI Z535 concepts into these newer media. This poster provides an introduction to ANSI Z535.7 and also touches on some considerations of presenting safety information in electronic media that go beyond the standard.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: Best Practices in Evaluating Lithium-Ion Batteries
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
The poster presentation focuses on an investigation into the evaluation of batteries for various properties that impact performance and safety. The batteries tested have been sourced from a variety of manufacturers for comparative analysis. The audience will gain knowledge in what potential pitfalls exist within lithium-ion batteries, and what is necessary to identify those, prior to implementation in a product. Data will be presented showing the wide variety in quality of batteries and how different operating conditions impact their performance and lifetime characteristics. Specific topics explored will include battery cell construction, energy capacity, degradation leading to capacity loss, and how quickly end of life is reached.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: Dog Anatomy Data Collection - Research to Fuel the Dog Equivalent of the Small Parts Cylinder
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
CSU, in partnership with the ASTM F15.05 subcommittee on pet products, has begun a research project to use CT scanning technology and an inflator balloon to collect anthropometric data around different points of "narrowing" in the digestive tract of different sized dogs. Additionally CSU will collect head, jaw, and mouth dimensions. Among other things, the intent is for this data to fuel to development of choking/ingestion test cylinders for dog toys, the dog equivalent of the human toy small parts cylinder.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: Improving Data Reporting to Avoid TSCA Pitfalls: A Call for Engagement of Downstream Users
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Under the US EPA’s TSCA program for existing chemicals, providing insufficient or incomplete data about a business’s product or process can lead to erroneous risk conclusions by EPA and, ultimately, unnecessary and costly risk management measures.  Small and midsize enterprises and downstream users of a chemical are particularly vulnerable to these determinations.  To avoid this outcome, stakeholders up and down the value chain should be engaged in the TSCA process as early as possible.  A review of the types of data needed by EPA was performed to assist the regulated community with identifying and organizing their data to optimize the accuracy of EPA’s risk assessment conclusions on the relevant Conditions of Use.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: Inmetro's advances in market surveillance in Brazil
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Market Surveillance is one of the pillars of quality infrastructure. In order to improve its activities in this area, Inmetro, the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology of Brazil, plays a crucial role in ensuring product safety and compliance with technical regulations. As part of it's strategy it was established the Safety Products Laboratory-Nusep/Divig/Dconf/Inmetro in 2023. Among its activities, it has been carrying out several testing of products that are under regulation of Inmetro’s certification. Recently the laboratory was responsible for the organization of special operations in the country, for instance, one dedicated to wires and cables (43% of manufacturers showed irregularities) and another for toys (10% of the products showed some restrictions). The results are contributing to get a better quality of products available to consumers.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: Made of recycled PET?
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Consumers embrace the concept of recycling and brand owners want to offer products that respond to such noble aspiration. But, without proper traceability mechanisms, it is hard to confidently claim the amount of recycled material used in a finished good. Incremental cost and limited availability amount of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) have led to erroneous claims about 2/3 of the time.

This poster will share how a methodology was developed and accredited to accurately identify and quantify rPET. It will share the challenges faced during development, the selection of the chemical marker and the equipment evaluated and utilized to have the most consistent and accurate measurement.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: YouthShape.US: A New Study of Child and Youth Anthropometry and Physical Capability
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Data on the body dimensions of youth are widely used in design and regulatory applications. However, the U.S. has not had a public, well-sampled, detailed child anthropometry study since the 1970s. Importantly, less information is available on body shape. To address this gap, body size, shape, health and physical capability data were gathered on 600 children ages 3 through 17 years. Data included 1D and 3D anthropometry (head, hand, foot and whole body), body composition, and measures of strength and fitness. Study outcomes will be used to create a new public archive of anthropometry and physical development data for U.S. youth. The dataset and interactive design tools will serve as a valuable resource for the design and evaluation of products and systems children use.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:30pm EST

Plenary Session 5: Safe For Me, But Not For You: In the pursuit of regulatory convergence and exploration of mutual recognition
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:30pm - 5:20pm EST
As globalization has made it increasingly easy to sell products around the world, manufacturers often choose to limit where they sell because they simply can’t afford compliance with a patchwork of regulations that are similar, but not identical. This panel consisting of a manufacturer, a retailer, a lab, and a consumer advocate will discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of regulatory harmonization and even potential cross border recognition.
Moderators
avatar for Patty Edwards

Patty Edwards

Former Voluntary Standards Coordinator, CPSC, Consumer
Patty recently retired after 23 years of service from the CPSC. She was the agency’s Voluntary Standards Coordinator from 2016 till her retirement. Prior to that role, Patty served as the Program Manager for the CPSIA Section 104 rules, where she oversaw the regulatory work conducted... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Griffin

Courtney Griffin

Director of Consumer Product Safety, Consumer Federation of America
Courtney Griffin is the Director of Consumer Product Safety for the Consumer Federation of America.  She advocates for consumer product safety in Congress and at regulatory agencies, communicates policy positions to the public and press, provides educational tools for consumers... Read More →
avatar for Alex Nikolau

Alex Nikolau

Senior Risk Manager, Amazon Private Brands
Alex Nikolaou is a seasoned expert in global product safety, compliance, and regulatory affairs. With 13 years of experience navigating complex international frameworks, he specializes in developing forward-looking strategies to help supply chains anticipate and adapt to evolving... Read More →
avatar for Valara Davis

Valara Davis

International Standards Manager, UL Standards & Engagement
Valara Davis is the International Standards Manager in the International Standards Division of UL Standards & Engagement.  She has been at UL Standards & Engagement for 19 years and worked previously in the Standards Development Division as a Standards Technical Committee (TC) Project... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:30pm - 5:20pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

5:20pm EST

Day 2: Wrap Up and Announcements
Tuesday February 18, 2025 5:20pm - 5:30pm EST
Speakers
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 5:20pm - 5:30pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

5:30pm EST

Networking Reception
Tuesday February 18, 2025 5:30pm - 7:00pm EST
All registered attendees are invited to our evening networking reception.  Please take your time to visit the exhibitors and view the posters in the exhibit hall, while enjoying food and beverages.

Tuesday February 18, 2025 5:30pm - 7:00pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)
 
Wednesday, February 19
 

6:30am EST

ICPHSO Morning Walk
Wednesday February 19, 2025 6:30am - 7:15am EST
Start your morning off with a walk around the Hyatt property led by Member Jane McGarry.  Bring your own water bottles and prepare for the busy day ahead!
Wednesday February 19, 2025 6:30am - 7:15am EST
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Lobby

7:00am EST

Breakfast
Wednesday February 19, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am EST
Enjoy a hot breakfast courtesy of ICPHSO before the days events begin.  Be sure to visit the exhibitors and view the posters in the exhibit hall before the sessions begin.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

7:00am EST

Registration
Wednesday February 19, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm EST
Wednesday February 19, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm EST
Registration Desk - Grand Cypress Ballroom Level

7:30am EST

Sponsored Satellite Session 10: Covington & Burling LLP: Internal Alarm and External Oversight: Whistleblowers, Independent Auditors, and Third-Party Monitors
Wednesday February 19, 2025 7:30am - 7:50am EST
Join Covington for a program highlighting the key trends in the use of independent monitors and third-party auditors to oversee the implementation of safety compliance improvement commitments in regulatory enforcement actions. We will also discuss the incentives for whistleblowers and the importance of internal quality audits in reducing enforcement risks.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson

Covington & Burling LLP
avatar for Joshua González

Joshua González

Covington & Burling LLP
avatar for Jack Mizerack

Jack Mizerack

Covington & Burling LLP
avatar for Molly Brown

Molly Brown

Covington & Burling LLP
Wednesday February 19, 2025 7:30am - 7:50am EST
Grand Cypress A-C

7:30am EST

7:30am EST

Sponsored Satellite Session 12: Foley & Lardner LLP: You’ve received a Notice of Violation from the CPSC. Now what?
Wednesday February 19, 2025 7:30am - 7:50am EST
Join Foley for a program highlighting tips and best practices for responding to Notices of Violation and challenging unsubstantiated CPSC claims.
Speakers
avatar for Erik Swanholt

Erik Swanholt

Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP
avatar for Megan Chester

Megan Chester

Associate, Foley & Lardner LLP
Wednesday February 19, 2025 7:30am - 7:50am EST
Regency 1-4 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

8:00am EST

Day 3 - Opening Remarks and Announcements
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:00am - 8:10am EST
Speakers
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
avatar for Kim Mason

Kim Mason

Vice President, Product Quality and Compliance and ICPHSO President, Five Below
Kim Mason is the Vice President of Product Quality and Compliance at Five Below. She leads a team who implements and manages processes, systems, and training related to product safety, testing and regulatory compliance. Kim also oversees Five Below’s social responsibility program... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:00am - 8:10am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

8:10am EST

Ross Koeser Tribute and Achievement Award Presentation
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:10am - 8:25am EST
Carol Pollack-Nelson, former President and Planning Chair, will deliver a tribute to Ross Koeser, who sadly passed away on January 25, 2025.

Following the tribute, we will recognize the recipient of the 2025 Ross Koeser Achievement Award, Don Kornblet. The award will be presented to Don by the 2024 recipient, Pinuccia Contino.

Congratulations Don!


Speakers
avatar for Carol Pollack-Nelson

Carol Pollack-Nelson

Principal, Independent Safety Consulting, LLC
Carol Pollack-Nelson, Ph.D. is a human factors psychologist specializing in consumer product safety. She works as a consultant and researcher, providing guidance to manufacturers, retailers, attorneys, test labs, consumer groups, and the government on product safety issues including... Read More →
avatar for Pinuccia Contino

Pinuccia Contino

Deputy to the Director for Consumers & Head of Unit Product Safety and Rapid Alert System, European Commission
Pinuccia Contino is the Deputy to the Director for Consumers & Head of the Product Safety and Rapid Alert System Unit in the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST). In this capacity, she is responsible for the European Union's legislation on general product safety... Read More →
avatar for Don  Kornblet

Don Kornblet

Product Safety Advisor/President, ADK Information Services, LLC, ADK Information Services
Don Kornblet has dedicated over 40 years to enhancing consumer product safety on a global scale. He has significantly contributed to ICPHSO through his work with ADK Information Services and as the Product Safety Advisor to the Society of Product Safety Professionals (SPSP). Since... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:10am - 8:25am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

8:25am EST

Regulator Session 1 : CPSC Updates
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:25am - 9:15am EST
Hear the latest information from CPSC on 2025 activities.
Speakers
avatar for Jonathan Midgett

Jonathan Midgett

Consumer Ombudsman, US CPSC
Jonathan Midgett, Ph.D. is the Consumer Ombudsman at the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in Bethesda, Maryland [https://www.cpsc.gov/About-CPSC/Consumer-Ombudsman]. Since joining CPSC in 2001, Dr. Midgett has been evaluating emerging hazards and contributing to the... Read More →
avatar for Jim Joholske

Jim Joholske

Director, Office of Import Surveillance, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Import Surveillance
James “Jim” Joholske is Director of the Office of Import Surveillance at the U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission (CPSC). He began his career at CPSC in July 2000 in the agency’s Office ofCompliance and Field Operations. While in the Office of Compliance and Field Operations... Read More →
avatar for Stephen Lee

Stephen Lee

Program Specialist, Office of the Small Business Ombudsman, CPSC
Stephen Lee is a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook with a Master’s degree in general chemistry and has been with the CPSC since 2015. Stephen first joined CPSC as a Compliance Officer within the Regulatory Enforcement Division where he oversaw and enforced various mandatory requirements... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:25am - 9:15am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

9:15am EST

Regulator Session 2: Global Regulator Updates
Wednesday February 19, 2025 9:15am - 10:05am EST
Hear from global regulators on the latest regulatory activities in their jurisdictions.  
Moderators
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Pinuccia Contino

Pinuccia Contino

Deputy to the Director for Consumers & Head of Unit Product Safety and Rapid Alert System, European Commission
Pinuccia Contino is the Deputy to the Director for Consumers & Head of the Product Safety and Rapid Alert System Unit in the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST). In this capacity, she is responsible for the European Union's legislation on general product safety... Read More →
avatar for Jim Joholske

Jim Joholske

Director, Office of Import Surveillance, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Import Surveillance
James “Jim” Joholske is Director of the Office of Import Surveillance at the U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission (CPSC). He began his career at CPSC in July 2000 in the agency’s Office ofCompliance and Field Operations. While in the Office of Compliance and Field Operations... Read More →
avatar for Thezi Mabuza

Thezi Mabuza

Deputy Commissioner, National Consumer Commission, South Africa
The National Consumer Commissioner is a regulator responsible for consumer protection in relation to all transactions and service except, financial services.I am interested on topics related to eCommerce with special interest for people with disabilities, Do not Call registers and... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith

Deputy Chief Executive, Office for Product Safety and Standards, UK
Sarah is the Deputy Chief Executive of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade. She leads the UK Government’s approach to product regulation and market surveillance, and legal metrology, including administering new sovereign... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 9:15am - 10:05am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

10:05am EST

Networking, Exhibits & Poster Viewing Break
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Please be sure to stop by and visit the exhibitors and check out the poster displays in the exhibit hall while enjoying some food and beverage treats.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:05am EST

Poster: ANSI Z535.7 and beyond - Introduction to the new standard for presenting safety information in electronic media
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
For decades, ANSI Z535 standards have provided guidance for presenting safety information in media such as safety signs, product labels, and, since 2006, product manuals and collateral materials. With evolving technology and connectivity, people - both product users and manufacturers - are increasingly turning to electronic media as another channel for finding or providing product information. ANSI Z535.7, the American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Electronic Media, helps bring ANSI Z535 concepts into these newer media. This poster provides an introduction to ANSI Z535.7 and also touches on some considerations of presenting safety information in electronic media that go beyond the standard.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:05am EST

Poster: Best Practices in Evaluating Lithium-Ion Batteries
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
The poster presentation focuses on an investigation into the evaluation of batteries for various properties that impact performance and safety. The batteries tested have been sourced from a variety of manufacturers for comparative analysis. The audience will gain knowledge in what potential pitfalls exist within lithium-ion batteries, and what is necessary to identify those, prior to implementation in a product. Data will be presented showing the wide variety in quality of batteries and how different operating conditions impact their performance and lifetime characteristics. Specific topics explored will include battery cell construction, energy capacity, degradation leading to capacity loss, and how quickly end of life is reached.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:05am EST

Poster: Dog Anatomy Data Collection - Research to Fuel the Dog Equivalent of the Small Parts Cylinder
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
CSU, in partnership with the ASTM F15.05 subcommittee on pet products, has begun a research project to use CT scanning technology and an inflator balloon to collect anthropometric data around different points of "narrowing" in the digestive tract of different sized dogs. Additionally CSU will collect head, jaw, and mouth dimensions. Among other things, the intent is for this data to fuel to development of choking/ingestion test cylinders for dog toys, the dog equivalent of the human toy small parts cylinder.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:05am EST

Poster: Improving Data Reporting to Avoid TSCA Pitfalls: A Call for Engagement of Downstream Users
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Under the US EPA’s TSCA program for existing chemicals, providing insufficient or incomplete data about a business’s product or process can lead to erroneous risk conclusions by EPA and, ultimately, unnecessary and costly risk management measures.  Small and midsize enterprises and downstream users of a chemical are particularly vulnerable to these determinations.  To avoid this outcome, stakeholders up and down the value chain should be engaged in the TSCA process as early as possible.  A review of the types of data needed by EPA was performed to assist the regulated community with identifying and organizing their data to optimize the accuracy of EPA’s risk assessment conclusions on the relevant Conditions of Use.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:05am EST

Poster: Inmetro's advances in market surveillance in Brazil
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Market Surveillance is one of the pillars of quality infrastructure. In order to improve its activities in this area, Inmetro, the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology of Brazil, plays a crucial role in ensuring product safety and compliance with technical regulations. As part of it's strategy it was established the Safety Products Laboratory-Nusep/Divig/Dconf/Inmetro in 2023. Among its activities, it has been carrying out several testing of products that are under regulation of Inmetro’s certification. Recently the laboratory was responsible for the organization of special operations in the country, for instance, one dedicated to wires and cables (43% of manufacturers showed irregularities) and another for toys (10% of the products showed some restrictions). The results are contributing to get a better quality of products available to consumers.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:05am EST

Poster: Made of recycled PET?
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Consumers embrace the concept of recycling and brand owners want to offer products that respond to such noble aspiration. But, without proper traceability mechanisms, it is hard to confidently claim the amount of recycled material used in a finished good. Incremental cost and limited availability amount of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) have led to erroneous claims about 2/3 of the time.

This poster will share how a methodology was developed and accredited to accurately identify and quantify rPET. It will share the challenges faced during development, the selection of the chemical marker and the equipment evaluated and utilized to have the most consistent and accurate measurement.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:05am EST

Poster: YouthShape.US: A New Study of Child and Youth Anthropometry and Physical Capability
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Data on the body dimensions of youth are widely used in design and regulatory applications. However, the U.S. has not had a public, well-sampled, detailed child anthropometry study since the 1970s. Importantly, less information is available on body shape. To address this gap, body size, shape, health and physical capability data were gathered on 600 children ages 3 through 17 years. Data included 1D and 3D anthropometry (head, hand, foot and whole body), body composition, and measures of strength and fitness. Study outcomes will be used to create a new public archive of anthropometry and physical development data for U.S. youth. The dataset and interactive design tools will serve as a valuable resource for the design and evaluation of products and systems children use.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:05am - 10:35am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:35am EST

Regulator Session 3 Health Canada Updates
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:35am - 11:25am EST
Hear from representatives from Health Canada who will provide regulatory updates.
Speakers
avatar for Dennis Price

Dennis Price

Director General, Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate, Health Canada
In November 2022, Dennis Price joined Health Canada as Director General of the Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate. In this role, Dennis is responsible for the assessment, management and communication of health and safety risks for all consumer products and cosmetics... Read More →
avatar for Nadira Rambritch

Nadira Rambritch

Director - Consumer Product Safety Program, Health Canada
Nadira Rambritch is the Director of the Consumer Product Safety Program within the Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch (ROEB) at Health Canada. With over 20 years of service within the Government of Canada, Nadira has held key roles across various programs at Health Canada... Read More →
avatar for Lynn Berndt-Weis

Lynn Berndt-Weis

Director, Assessment, Information and Engagement Bureau, Health Canada
Lynn Berndt-Weis is the Director of the Assessment, Information and Engagement Bureau within Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Program. In this role, Lynn oversees activities to identify, assess, and manage health and safety risks posed by consumer products and cosmetics.The... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:35am - 11:25am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

11:35am EST

Breakout 21: Aligning Compliance and Sustainability Goals Through Smart Chemical Testing Strategies
Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:35am - 12:25pm EST
This session will explore how businesses can effectively align their compliance and sustainability goals by leveraging smart chemical testing strategies. The focus will be on navigating a complex landscape of global regulations, including California Proposition 65, US State PFAS regulations, children’s product reporting rules, and European REACH and POP regulations. The panel will also emphasize the critical role of raw material management and the involvement of industry trade organizations in driving collaboration to meet both regulatory and sustainability challenges. Attendees will gain valuable and actionable insights on integrating chemical management into broader sustainability strategies while ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Moderators
avatar for Pratik Ichhaporia

Pratik Ichhaporia

VP Technical Services North America, Eurofins
Dr. Pratik Ichhaporia is a recognized expert in quality, safety, and environmental issues affecting the textiles, toys, and hardlines industries. As the Vice President of Technical Services for Consumer Product Testing North America at Eurofins, Dr. Ichhaporia has extensive experience... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Chelsea Murtha

Chelsea Murtha

Senior Director, Sustainability, AAFA
Chelsea Murtha serves as the association’s advocate and spokesperson on matters of sustainability and product safety. She engages with Congress, the Executive Branch, independent agencies, as well as state and local legislatures and agencies and foreign governments on sustainability... Read More →
avatar for Deepak Jadhav

Deepak Jadhav

Global Director – Product Chemistry, New Balance
Deepak is the Global Director of Product Chemistry at New Balance, a well-known athletic footwear and apparel brand. Steering New Balance's product chemistry division, his focus is on integrating sustainable chemicals and materials into New Balance products and supply chain. With... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:35am - 12:25pm EST
Regency 1-4 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

11:35am EST

Breakout 22: Inclusive Toy Design Through Collaboration
Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:35am - 12:25pm EST
Toy design often starts with engineers, but ensuring accessibility to play with that toy isn’t always part of the equation. By collaborating with experts like occupational therapists, toys can be designed to include as many children as possible, regardless of ability.

This interactive session is designed to get product designers, engineers and product safety professionals to expand their approach to inclusive product design. After a brief presentation by a safety and compliance engineer and an occupational therapist, attendees will work in small groups to redesign a toy based on real-world child's disability considerations. Through hands-on ideation, participants will explore how to integrate inclusive principles into their design process.

After this session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of how to incorporate diverse needs into product development, ultimately expanding play opportunities for more children. They’ll also take-home practical strategies for applying disability-inclusive design principles across all products.

Moderators
avatar for Kristin Cordz

Kristin Cordz

The Bitter Gal aka VP Business Development, Market Actives, LLC
Kristin is currently the VP of Business Development for Market Actives, the exclusive US distributor of Bitrex® Safety Technology, providing comprehensive support to all US customers. Her responsibilities include the development of core Bitrex brand assets, product safety ingredient... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Rachael Hintze

Rachael Hintze

Occupational Therapist, Children's Specialized Hospital
Rachael is a Senior Occupational Therapist at Children’s Specialized Hospital, an RWJBarnabas Health outpatient care facility in New Jersey. She graduated Ithaca College with a Bachelors of Science in Occupational Science, Minor in Recreation, and a Masters of Science in Occupational... Read More →
avatar for Jen Mussell

Jen Mussell

Sr Manager Product Safety, Mattel, Inc.
Jen Mussell is the Sr Manager of Product Safety in the Product Safety & Regulatory Compliance organization at Mattel. Prior to this role, she was a Mattel Quality Engineer working primarily on Fisher-Price baby gear products. Throughout her career, Jen has been focused on making... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:35am - 12:25pm EST
Grand Cypress A-C

11:35am EST

Breakout 23: Standardization and Product Safety in China, EU, and USA
Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:35am - 12:25pm EST
Standards are powerful and effective tools that are widely used by countries to implement legal requirements and ensure product safety. Knowledge of how standards work is key to product safety compliance.

This presentation aims to provide clear picture of the complicated standard system and the implementation of standards in China. It will also include an introduction of standardization in EU and USA, as well as comparison of the three jurisdictions.

The presentation will help the attendees to understand the challenges in compliance with standards. At the same time, providing suggestions and tips on how to overcome the difficulties.
Moderators
avatar for Amy Chen

Amy Chen

Regulatory Compliance Consultant, Compliance & Risks
Amy Chen works as a Regulatory Compliance Consultant in Compliance & Risks, specialising in product safety and related regulations globally for over 15 years. The topics covered include REACH, RoHS, WEEE, energy labelling, energy efficiency, packaging, product safety, EMC, climate... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Rodney Thu

Rodney Thu

Director, Quality Assurance, Hasbro, Inc.
Rodney Thu is the Director of Quality Assurance at Hasbro, where he has worked for 12 years. He leads the Commodity, Regulatory & Internal Policy and Laboratory (CRPL) team within Hasbro’s Quality Assurance department. His team is responsible for ensuring the quality of high-risk... Read More →
avatar for Molly Lynyak

Molly Lynyak

Manager, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International
Molly Lynyak is a manager in the Technical Committee Operations Division of ASTM International, one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world.In her role, Lynyak has direct responsibility for the standards development activities within Committee F15... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:35am - 12:25pm EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

11:35am EST

Breakout 24: Implications of Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) in Product Safety and New Regulations
Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:35am - 12:25pm EST
The panel will discuss the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) topic, which is widely applied in different industries and involves stakeholders, retailers, brands, manufacturers, and others. The panel will discuss what LCA is, how it is calculated, and why is it becoming a key element in products safety and environmental assessment. Additionally, the panel with also look into how LCA is shaping new emerging regulation around the world and how will the results of LCA be used in different industries. What are the main datapoints and preparation needed in order to carry out LCAs, how to take into consideration the reusability, repairability of products, and what are the expectations in different industries.
Moderators
avatar for Khaled Abdou

Khaled Abdou

TUV Rheinland Global Business Development Manager – Sustainability/ LCA Expert, TUV Rheinland
Dr. Khaled Abdou is a Sustainability Global Business Development Manager and LCA Expert in the Business Stream Products of TÜV Rheinland, based in London, UK. After having rounded his studies up with a PhD in Marine Biology, Khaled worked in different roles as Environmental Sustainability... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for James Pollack

James Pollack

Partner, Marten Law
James Pollack is a Partner at Marten Law, an environmental law firm based in Seattle, WA. James leads Marten’s consumer products regulatory practice where he helps trusted national brands bring sustainable products to market. He counsels apparel, footwear, outdoor gear, and furniture... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:35am - 12:25pm EST
Regency 5-9 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

12:35pm EST

Lunch and Keynote 3: Sally Greenberg, JD -- Chief Executive Officer, National Consumers League (NCL)
Wednesday February 19, 2025 12:35pm - 1:45pm EST
The following attendees are being recognized with a Certified Product Safety Professional designation.  Congratulations to all:

Nathan Mouw
Senior Director of Global Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs
Whirlpool Corporation


Kylee Rogers
Senior Product Safety/Compliance Consultant
Best Practice Quality


Anusha Sirimanna
Senior Quality Assurance Manager
Carters Osh Kosh
Speakers
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
avatar for Sally Greenberg, JD

Sally Greenberg, JD

Chief Executive Officer, National Consumers League (NCL)
Sally Greenberg is a champion of consumer and worker rights and joined the National Consumers League (NCL) as Executive Director on October 1, 2007. An expert on a broad spectrum of issues, Sally has testified before Congress and federal agencies on privacy matters, food labeling... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 12:35pm - 1:45pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

1:45pm EST

Certified Product Safety Professional Designation - Recognition
Wednesday February 19, 2025 1:45pm - 2:00pm EST
ICPHSO is pleased to present the following attendees who are being recognized with a Certified Product Safety Professional designation earned through the Society of Product Safety Professionals (SPSP) certification program.  Congratulations to all!

Nathan Mouw
Senior Director of Global Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs
Whirlpool Corporation


Kylee Rogers
Senior Product Safety/Compliance Consultant
Best Practice Quality


Anusha Sirimanna
Senior Quality Assurance Manager
Carters Osh Kosh
Speakers
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
avatar for Laurel Roney

Laurel Roney

Vice President, Product Integrity, Spin Master, Inc./SPSP
Laurel Roney has worked in the consumer goods industry for more than 20 years and was a member of the SPSP Job Analysis Committee which was responsible for defining the knowledge requirements and specific skills necessary to demonstrate competence and understanding required to design... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 1:45pm - 2:00pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

2:10pm EST

Breakout 29: Ask the CPSC SBO
Wednesday February 19, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
This interactive session with a Program Specialist from CPSC's Small Business Ombudsman office provides attendees an opportunity to ask regulatory and other CPSC related questions through the meeting app. 
Speakers
avatar for Stephen Lee

Stephen Lee

Program Specialist, Office of the Small Business Ombudsman, CPSC
Stephen Lee is a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook with a Master’s degree in general chemistry and has been with the CPSC since 2015. Stephen first joined CPSC as a Compliance Officer within the Regulatory Enforcement Division where he oversaw and enforced various mandatory requirements... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
Grand Cypress A-C

2:10pm EST

Breakout 30: One Product - Many Variations
Wednesday February 19, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
In a world where legislation is becoming increasingly complex and supply chains are growing more intricate, managing overheads and ensuring compliance are becoming more challenging than ever. This session, titled "One Product – Many Versions," will delve into the multiple layers of data that shape a product’s journey to market. From test data, labeling, certifications, customer feedback, ESG compliance to legislative data, each layer is crucial for connecting and aligning product safety stakeholders and ensuring meets market needs. The panel will discuss how to effectively navigate these layers, providing practical tips for managing the complexities of compliance in today’s demanding regulatory environment.
Moderators
avatar for Jacob Nedergaard

Jacob Nedergaard

CEO & Co-Founder, Qarma
.Jacob Nedergaard is the CEO and co-founder of Qarma, a leading provider of digital solutions that empower brands, retailers, and importers to streamline quality, compliance, and ESG management while enhancing efficiency.With a strong background in retail and consumer products, Jacob... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Deven Wisner

Deven Wisner

Vice President, Global Registration Services & American Law Label
With over a decade of product-safety expertise, Deven is a results-driven professional based in Tucson, Arizona. Specializing in stuffed article licensing and labeling, Deven has seamlessly supported manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers. In addition to consumer products... Read More →
avatar for Heather Capell Bramble

Heather Capell Bramble

VP Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance, Mattel, Inc.
Heather Capell Bramble is Vice President of Global Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance for Mattel, Inc. She is a senior executive and seasoned attorney with more than 25 years of compliance, management, and legal experience in corporations, government, private law firms, and... Read More →
avatar for Evan Friedler

Evan Friedler

Associate General Counsel, Wayfair LLC
Evan Friedler serves as Associate General Counsel to Wayfair and leads their Regulatory and Government Affairs team. Evan and his team ensure that Wayfair's customers can safely and legally find exactly what they want from a selection of tens of millions of items across home furnishings... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
Regency 1-4 (Take steps to left of escalator to level below ballroom)

2:10pm EST

Breakout 31: Can AI in Products Be Safe?
Wednesday February 19, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
The ASTM F3463 Standard Guide for Ensuring the Safety of Connected Consumer Products has recently been updated to include Artificial Intelligence (AI). In consumer products, AI refers to software algorithms that use machine learning and data to perceive the item's environment and users, and autonomously makes decisions to optimize function and user experience. In this session, we will explore why AI is not like other technologies the industry is already familiar with. We will look at some of the unique hazards that can form when using AI, and why the mitigation of risk with AI is unlike anything we have seen before. We will provide insights on how to test AI in connected consumer products. We will provide guidance for different stakeholders on how to establish safety assessment due diligence for a technology that continues to evolve and adapt.
Moderators
avatar for Travis Norton

Travis Norton

Head of Content Strategy and Compliance Innovation, Compliance & Risks
Travis Norton is the Head of Content Strategy and Compliance Innovation at Compliance & Risks. Travis has worked in the consumer products industry for more than 30 years. He has been involved with service development and technical consultation for the certification and testing of... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Stephan Pesch

Stephan Pesch

Intl Regulatory Compliance Specialist Senior, TUV Rheinland
Stephan Pesch is the International Regulatory Compliance Specialist for Hardlines Products at TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc. More than 20 years ago he started at TUV Rheinland in Guangzhou, China to set up labs for consumer product testing and to develop internal test standards... Read More →
avatar for Karin Athanas

Karin Athanas

Executive Director, Alliance for Family and Consumer Sciences, (AAFCS)
avatar for Manny Dekermenjian

Manny Dekermenjian

Product Safety Manager, Google
Manny Dekermenjian is a product safety manager at Google focused on IoT connected products. He has experience investigating fires, product defects, engineering disasters, and incidents resulting in injuries or fatalities.  He has worked on safety issues in various industries, applying... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 2:10pm - 3:00pm EST
Palm A-F (Ballroom Level)

3:10pm EST

Plenary Session 6: Protect Consumers From Unsafe Products in the E-Commerce Era: Leveraging CPSC Efiling and Testing to Ensure Safety and Compliance.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 3:10pm - 4:00pm EST
The surge in online shopping has brought convenience by allowing products to reach consumers directly, while sometimes bypassing the scrutiny and jurisdiction, potentially posing safety risks to consumers. The CPSC is strengthening its enforcement of safety regulations more rigorously. Moreover, the CPSC's eFiling system is set to revolutionize product compliance data reporting, swiftly identifying potentially hazardous products in the market. All other key stakeholders in safety, including third-party testing laboratories, also play pivotal roles by helping the supply chain adopt comprehensive testing programs that guarantee product safety, compliance, and quality. In this session, we'll discuss the challenges of managing product safety in the era of e-commerce, share industry practices in monitoring and testing high-risk products in the e-commerce market, and explore how to leverage the eFiling system to import safe products into the US market.
Moderators
avatar for Min Zhu

Min Zhu

Senior Director, Technical Services & Operations, US & Canada Softlines, SGS North America Inc.
Dr. Min Zhu is at the helm of SGS North America's Softlines technical and operations teams, with an impressive 20-year track record in textile research, product development, performance evaluation, and technical marketing. She oversees the development of cutting-edge testing and compliance... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Jim Joholske

Jim Joholske

Director, Office of Import Surveillance, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Import Surveillance
James “Jim” Joholske is Director of the Office of Import Surveillance at the U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission (CPSC). He began his career at CPSC in July 2000 in the agency’s Office ofCompliance and Field Operations. While in the Office of Compliance and Field Operations... Read More →
avatar for Vaibhav Kulkarni

Vaibhav Kulkarni

Director Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, Hasbro, Inc.
Vaibhav Kulkarni is Director Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs for Hasbro, Inc. based in Rhode Island.He is responsible for managing Regulatory Affairs in North America and supports the Quality Assurance Team in product safety, compliance, and quality. He works with teams based... Read More →
avatar for Sophia Legros

Sophia Legros

VP of Product Integrity, Social Compliance, and Sustainability, SPARC Group
Sophia Legros is the Vice President of Product Integrity, Compliance, and Sustainability at Catalyst Brands (formerly SPARC Group LLC). Since joining the company, she has played a pivotal role in shaping its brand identity and driving expansion into new markets. With a sharp eye for... Read More →
avatar for Alexander Murph

Alexander Murph

Director of Product Safety and Compliance, The Step2 Company LLC
Alexander Murph is the Director of Product Safety and Compliance at The Step2 Company, a juvenile and home products manufacturer based in Streetsboro, Ohio. With over 16 years of experience in product safety and laboratory testing, he is responsible for ensuring global product compliance... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 3:10pm - 4:00pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Networking, Exhibits & Poster Viewing Break
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Please be sure to stop by and visit the exhibitors and check out the poster displays in the exhibit hall while enjoying some food and beverage treats.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: ANSI Z535.7 and beyond - Introduction to the new standard for presenting safety information in electronic media
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
For decades, ANSI Z535 standards have provided guidance for presenting safety information in media such as safety signs, product labels, and, since 2006, product manuals and collateral materials. With evolving technology and connectivity, people - both product users and manufacturers - are increasingly turning to electronic media as another channel for finding or providing product information. ANSI Z535.7, the American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Electronic Media, helps bring ANSI Z535 concepts into these newer media. This poster provides an introduction to ANSI Z535.7 and also touches on some considerations of presenting safety information in electronic media that go beyond the standard.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: Best Practices in Evaluating Lithium-Ion Batteries
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
The poster presentation focuses on an investigation into the evaluation of batteries for various properties that impact performance and safety. The batteries tested have been sourced from a variety of manufacturers for comparative analysis. The audience will gain knowledge in what potential pitfalls exist within lithium-ion batteries, and what is necessary to identify those, prior to implementation in a product. Data will be presented showing the wide variety in quality of batteries and how different operating conditions impact their performance and lifetime characteristics. Specific topics explored will include battery cell construction, energy capacity, degradation leading to capacity loss, and how quickly end of life is reached.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: Dog Anatomy Data Collection - Research to Fuel the Dog Equivalent of the Small Parts Cylinder
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
CSU, in partnership with the ASTM F15.05 subcommittee on pet products, has begun a research project to use CT scanning technology and an inflator balloon to collect anthropometric data around different points of "narrowing" in the digestive tract of different sized dogs. Additionally CSU will collect head, jaw, and mouth dimensions. Among other things, the intent is for this data to fuel to development of choking/ingestion test cylinders for dog toys, the dog equivalent of the human toy small parts cylinder.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: Improving Data Reporting to Avoid TSCA Pitfalls: A Call for Engagement of Downstream Users
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Under the US EPA’s TSCA program for existing chemicals, providing insufficient or incomplete data about a business’s product or process can lead to erroneous risk conclusions by EPA and, ultimately, unnecessary and costly risk management measures.  Small and midsize enterprises and downstream users of a chemical are particularly vulnerable to these determinations.  To avoid this outcome, stakeholders up and down the value chain should be engaged in the TSCA process as early as possible.  A review of the types of data needed by EPA was performed to assist the regulated community with identifying and organizing their data to optimize the accuracy of EPA’s risk assessment conclusions on the relevant Conditions of Use.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: Inmetro's advances in market surveillance in Brazil
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Market Surveillance is one of the pillars of quality infrastructure. In order to improve its activities in this area, Inmetro, the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology of Brazil, plays a crucial role in ensuring product safety and compliance with technical regulations. As part of it's strategy it was established the Safety Products Laboratory-Nusep/Divig/Dconf/Inmetro in 2023. Among its activities, it has been carrying out several testing of products that are under regulation of Inmetro’s certification. Recently the laboratory was responsible for the organization of special operations in the country, for instance, one dedicated to wires and cables (43% of manufacturers showed irregularities) and another for toys (10% of the products showed some restrictions). The results are contributing to get a better quality of products available to consumers.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: Made of recycled PET?
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Consumers embrace the concept of recycling and brand owners want to offer products that respond to such noble aspiration. But, without proper traceability mechanisms, it is hard to confidently claim the amount of recycled material used in a finished good. Incremental cost and limited availability amount of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) have led to erroneous claims about 2/3 of the time.

This poster will share how a methodology was developed and accredited to accurately identify and quantify rPET. It will share the challenges faced during development, the selection of the chemical marker and the equipment evaluated and utilized to have the most consistent and accurate measurement.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:00pm EST

Poster: YouthShape.US: A New Study of Child and Youth Anthropometry and Physical Capability
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Data on the body dimensions of youth are widely used in design and regulatory applications. However, the U.S. has not had a public, well-sampled, detailed child anthropometry study since the 1970s. Importantly, less information is available on body shape. To address this gap, body size, shape, health and physical capability data were gathered on 600 children ages 3 through 17 years. Data included 1D and 3D anthropometry (head, hand, foot and whole body), body composition, and measures of strength and fitness. Study outcomes will be used to create a new public archive of anthropometry and physical development data for U.S. youth. The dataset and interactive design tools will serve as a valuable resource for the design and evaluation of products and systems children use.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

4:30pm EST

Plenary Session 7: Americexit: Understanding the Increasing Divisions in the United States as Individual U.S. States Add Their Own Product Safety Requirements
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:30pm - 5:20pm EST
As Europe largely consolidates its product safety requirements under the auspices of the EU GPSR, the United States is increasingly Balkanized with an ever-changing series of requirements depending on individual U.S. states. How can a non-U.S. company (or a U.S. company!) keep up with the changes as it seeks to market and sell in the vast American market?

This session will review the many changes in U.S. state regulations and what to expect. With a focus on non-Americans, this session will also analyze the impact of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings, the recent U.S election, and how these developments in Congress and the Presidency may lead to even more state requirements to rival CPSC’s requirements in the coming years.
Moderators
avatar for Neal Cohen

Neal Cohen

Principal, Neal Cohen Law LLC
Neal Cohen is a product safety attorney who serves as a trusted advisor for companies developing and launching new products or dealing with crises, such as product recalls. Neal specializes in regulatory compliance, hazard analysis, warnings, instructions, import investigations, consumer... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Stacey Bowers

Stacey Bowers

Global Product Compliance Manager, Enhesa
Stacey Bowers, MILS, is a Global Product Compliance Manager within Enhesa Product Intelligence's Expert Services Team. Stacey has been part of the ES Team since November 2023, but within the wider global product compliance industry for over 20 years, at companies such as Compliance... Read More →
avatar for Anders Persson

Anders Persson

Regulatory Affairs Leader, IKEA of Sweden
Anders Persson is a Regulatory Affairs Leader at Inter IKEA Group, and has worked in the requirements and compliance team at the head office in Sweden since early 2016. Aside from his work in worldwide compliance and product safety, Anders is deeply involved in sustainability and... Read More →
avatar for Gretchen Lee Salter

Gretchen Lee Salter

Strategic Advisor, Safer States
Gretchen Salter has been a leading advocate in the environmental health movement since 2005. Drawing on her experience as an organizer in electoral politics, she has spearheaded successful campaigns across the country to eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products, including... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 4:30pm - 5:20pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

5:20pm EST

Day 3 - Wrap Up and Announcements
Wednesday February 19, 2025 5:20pm - 5:30pm EST
Speakers
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 5:20pm - 5:30pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

5:30pm EST

Networking Reception
Wednesday February 19, 2025 5:30pm - 7:00pm EST
Enjoy light food and drinks while networking with exhibitors and other attendees. 

Wednesday February 19, 2025 5:30pm - 7:00pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)
 
Thursday, February 20
 

6:30am EST

ICPHSO Morning Walk
Thursday February 20, 2025 6:30am - 7:15am EST
Start your morning off with a walk around the Hyatt property led by Member Jane McGarry.  Bring your own water bottles and prepare for the busy day ahead!
Thursday February 20, 2025 6:30am - 7:15am EST
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Lobby

7:00am EST

Breakfast
Thursday February 20, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am EST
Enjoy breakfast courtesy of ICPHSO before the days events begin.  Be sure to visit the exhibitors and view the posters in the exhibit hall before the sessions begin.
Thursday February 20, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

7:00am EST

Registration
Thursday February 20, 2025 7:00am - 11:00am EST
Thursday February 20, 2025 7:00am - 11:00am EST
Registration Desk - Grand Cypress Ballroom Level

8:00am EST

Day 4 - Opening Remarks and Announcements - Passing the Gavel
Thursday February 20, 2025 8:00am - 8:10am EST
Join us a President Kim Mason passes the gavel to incoming President David Kosnoff.
Speakers
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
avatar for Kim Mason

Kim Mason

Vice President, Product Quality and Compliance and ICPHSO President, Five Below
Kim Mason is the Vice President of Product Quality and Compliance at Five Below. She leads a team who implements and manages processes, systems, and training related to product safety, testing and regulatory compliance. Kim also oversees Five Below’s social responsibility program... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 8:00am - 8:10am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

8:10am EST

Keynote Speaker 4: Hanane Taidi, Director-General, TIC Council
Thursday February 20, 2025 8:10am - 8:40am EST
Hanane Taidi joined IFIA (The International Federation of Inspection Agencies) as Director General in July 2016. IFIA has since then merged with CEOC International, forming a new entity called TIC Council. Hanane Taidi was appointed Director General of TIC Council in June 2019. In this role, Ms. Taidi represents the Testing, Inspection and Certification Industry, a sector that provides independent conformity assessment around the world with a combined revenue of over €30 billion euros and over 400,000 employees. 

Previously, Ms. Taidi worked at DuPont de Nemours International based in Geneva as Marketing Communications Director for the Performance Polymers business. During this time, Ms Taidi led, developed and directed integrated marketing communications strategies and was a member of the regional leadership team. Before joining DuPont in Geneva, Ms. Taidi was Director of Communications at Plastics Europe, based in the headquarters in Brussels, from where she led Plastics Europe's communications efforts in Europe together with a team of regional Communications Managers. In addition to her role as Director of Communications, in 2014, 
Speakers
avatar for Richard O'Brien

Richard O'Brien

Executive Director, TIC Council Americas
Rich is the trade association executive for the leading testing, inspection, and certification companies in the Americas. He draws from a diverse government and private sector background as he represents the TIC industry to government and public stakeholders. Immediately prior to... Read More →
avatar for Hanane Taidi

Hanane Taidi

Director-General, TIC Council
Hanane Taidi joined IFIA (The International Federation of Inspection Agencies) as Director General in July 2016. IFIA has since then merged with CEOC International, forming a new entity called TIC Council. Hanane Taidi was appointed Director General of TIC Council in June 2019. In... Read More →
Thursday February 20, 2025 8:10am - 8:40am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

8:40am EST

Plenary Session 8: Women Leaders in Product Safety
Thursday February 20, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am EST
The importance of Consumer Product Safety is a priority shared across stakeholder groups and across product sectors – indeed, it is the thread that ties ICPHSO members together. In the consumer product safety world, all perspectives and voices matter – yet leaders still emerge.

In this special Keynote Panel Session, we focus on Women Leaders in Product Safety, and introduce you to four woman who have helped shape consumer product safety, exploring with them what it takes to be a leader in the consumer product safety world – what inspires them, what challenges them, what differentiates them and, importantly, what are their common threads?

Our distinguished panel cuts across various stakeholder groups, in the ICPHSO tradition, and includes the following Women Leaders in Product Safety (and their humble moderator)

Moderators
avatar for Joan Lawrence

Joan Lawrence

Senior VP, Standards and Regulatory Affairs, The Toy Association
Joan Lawrence serves as the Toy Association’s Senior Vice President of Standards and Regulatory Affairs. Over her 30 years with the Association, she has managed product safety programs encompassing the development and harmonization of safety standards, as well as industry and consumer... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Farah Ahmed, Ph.D.

Farah Ahmed, Ph.D.

Principal Consultant, Exponent
Dr. Ahmed is an experienced consultant with a demonstrated history of working in commercial consulting. She is a strong operations professional skilled in Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, Imaging techniques and Microscopy. She has experience in leading projects for high... Read More →
avatar for Torine Creppy

Torine Creppy

President, Safe Kids Worldwide
Torine Creppy is the president of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting kids from preventable injuries. For 25+ years, Ms. Creppy has dedicated her career to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families, especially the most vulnerable... Read More →
avatar for Cheryl Falvey

Cheryl Falvey

Partner, Crowell & Moring, LLP
An experienced trial lawyer, and a former general counsel of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cheryl Falvey defends class actions, unfair competition, product liability and other mass tort claims arising out of consumer, occupational, and environmental... Read More →
avatar for Kyran Hoff

Kyran Hoff

Executive Director, Chief Engineer, GE Appliances, a Haier company
Kyran Hoff is Executive Director, Chief Engineer for GE Appliances, a Haier Company headquartered in Louisville, KY.  Her career spans over 28 years with GE Appliances in roles of increasing responsibility within the engineering organization.  Kyran currently leads the Office of... Read More →
Thursday February 20, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

9:30am EST

Plenary Session 9 - Reese's Purpose: When a Product Safety Concern Becomes a Product Safety Requirement
Thursday February 20, 2025 9:30am - 10:20am EST
An up close look at what happens when a product safety concern travels through the ranks of becoming a law that must be implemented and followed by industry. Using the recent enactment of the button cell battery law known as Reese's Law, we will follow the implementation process from the different stakeholder perspectives (including consumer advocates, consumers not as dialed in to the product safety world, retailers, manufacturers, regulators, testing labs and other industry professionals.

By sharing some of the challenges, successes and impacts each stakeholder group faced might better aid us all in how we approach these initiatives in future and possibly identify areas where we can help one another since we all have the same common goal of safer products for all.
Moderators
avatar for Danni Cugini

Danni Cugini

Director, Product Compliance & Regulatory, Harbor Freight
Danni Cugini is the Director of Product Compliance & Regulatory for Harbor Freight Tools, where she oversees product safety and regulatory chemical compliance for a wide range of consumer products. A product safety and compliance professional for over 10 years, Danni was with Barnes... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Lissie Ng

Lissie Ng

Associate, Cooley
Lissie practices general corporate law and product regulatory compliance, representing companies in various industries at all stages of their life cycle. Her practice covers a wide range of general corporate advising, transactional matters and product risk management for multinational... Read More →
avatar for Stephen Lee

Stephen Lee

Program Specialist, Office of the Small Business Ombudsman, CPSC
Stephen Lee is a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook with a Master’s degree in general chemistry and has been with the CPSC since 2015. Stephen first joined CPSC as a Compliance Officer within the Regulatory Enforcement Division where he oversaw and enforced various mandatory requirements... Read More →
avatar for Trista Hamsmith

Trista Hamsmith

Founder, Reese's Purpose
Trista Hamsmith is the founder of Reese’s Purpose, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting children through advocacy, education, and innovation. After the tragic loss of her daughter Reese, Trista channeled her grief into action, championing the passage of Reese’s Law, which strengthens... Read More →
Thursday February 20, 2025 9:30am - 10:20am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

10:20am EST

Networking, Exhibits & Poster Viewing Break
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Please be sure to stop by and visit the exhibitors and check out the poster displays in the exhibit hall while enjoying some food and beverage treats.
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:20am EST

Poster: ANSI Z535.7 and beyond - Introduction to the new standard for presenting safety information in electronic media
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
For decades, ANSI Z535 standards have provided guidance for presenting safety information in media such as safety signs, product labels, and, since 2006, product manuals and collateral materials. With evolving technology and connectivity, people - both product users and manufacturers - are increasingly turning to electronic media as another channel for finding or providing product information. ANSI Z535.7, the American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Electronic Media, helps bring ANSI Z535 concepts into these newer media. This poster provides an introduction to ANSI Z535.7 and also touches on some considerations of presenting safety information in electronic media that go beyond the standard.
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:20am EST

Poster: Best Practices in Evaluating Lithium-Ion Batteries
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
The poster presentation focuses on an investigation into the evaluation of batteries for various properties that impact performance and safety. The batteries tested have been sourced from a variety of manufacturers for comparative analysis. The audience will gain knowledge in what potential pitfalls exist within lithium-ion batteries, and what is necessary to identify those, prior to implementation in a product. Data will be presented showing the wide variety in quality of batteries and how different operating conditions impact their performance and lifetime characteristics. Specific topics explored will include battery cell construction, energy capacity, degradation leading to capacity loss, and how quickly end of life is reached.
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:20am EST

Poster: Dog Anatomy Data Collection - Research to Fuel the Dog Equivalent of the Small Parts Cylinder
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
CSU, in partnership with the ASTM F15.05 subcommittee on pet products, has begun a research project to use CT scanning technology and an inflator balloon to collect anthropometric data around different points of "narrowing" in the digestive tract of different sized dogs. Additionally CSU will collect head, jaw, and mouth dimensions. Among other things, the intent is for this data to fuel to development of choking/ingestion test cylinders for dog toys, the dog equivalent of the human toy small parts cylinder.
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:20am EST

Poster: Improving Data Reporting to Avoid TSCA Pitfalls: A Call for Engagement of Downstream Users
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Under the US EPA’s TSCA program for existing chemicals, providing insufficient or incomplete data about a business’s product or process can lead to erroneous risk conclusions by EPA and, ultimately, unnecessary and costly risk management measures.  Small and midsize enterprises and downstream users of a chemical are particularly vulnerable to these determinations.  To avoid this outcome, stakeholders up and down the value chain should be engaged in the TSCA process as early as possible.  A review of the types of data needed by EPA was performed to assist the regulated community with identifying and organizing their data to optimize the accuracy of EPA’s risk assessment conclusions on the relevant Conditions of Use.
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:20am EST

Poster: Inmetro's advances in market surveillance in Brazil
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Market Surveillance is one of the pillars of quality infrastructure. In order to improve its activities in this area, Inmetro, the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology of Brazil, plays a crucial role in ensuring product safety and compliance with technical regulations. As part of it's strategy it was established the Safety Products Laboratory-Nusep/Divig/Dconf/Inmetro in 2023. Among its activities, it has been carrying out several testing of products that are under regulation of Inmetro’s certification. Recently the laboratory was responsible for the organization of special operations in the country, for instance, one dedicated to wires and cables (43% of manufacturers showed irregularities) and another for toys (10% of the products showed some restrictions). The results are contributing to get a better quality of products available to consumers.
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:20am EST

Poster: Made of recycled PET?
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Consumers embrace the concept of recycling and brand owners want to offer products that respond to such noble aspiration. But, without proper traceability mechanisms, it is hard to confidently claim the amount of recycled material used in a finished good. Incremental cost and limited availability amount of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) have led to erroneous claims about 2/3 of the time.

This poster will share how a methodology was developed and accredited to accurately identify and quantify rPET. It will share the challenges faced during development, the selection of the chemical marker and the equipment evaluated and utilized to have the most consistent and accurate measurement.
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:20am EST

Poster: YouthShape.US: A New Study of Child and Youth Anthropometry and Physical Capability
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Data on the body dimensions of youth are widely used in design and regulatory applications. However, the U.S. has not had a public, well-sampled, detailed child anthropometry study since the 1970s. Importantly, less information is available on body shape. To address this gap, body size, shape, health and physical capability data were gathered on 600 children ages 3 through 17 years. Data included 1D and 3D anthropometry (head, hand, foot and whole body), body composition, and measures of strength and fitness. Study outcomes will be used to create a new public archive of anthropometry and physical development data for U.S. youth. The dataset and interactive design tools will serve as a valuable resource for the design and evaluation of products and systems children use.
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

10:50am EST

Plenary Session 10: Stronger Together - Harnessing the Power of Advocacy and Manufacturing for Product Safety
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:50am - 11:40am EST
We propose an engaging discussion on how advocates and manufacturers can collaborate to enhance safety and develop innovative products. Featuring real-world examples, Reese Purpose and Parents for Window Blind Safety will share their collaborative journeys with manufacturers Energizer and [Window Blind Manufacturer], highlighting the tangible benefits derived from these partnerships. The interests of safety advocates and manufacturers frequently align, and taking the time to explore these intersections can unlock valuable opportunities for collaboration. Once established, these relationships enable both groups to gain a deeper understanding of the relevant challenges, opportunities, and solutions. Advocates gain insight into the practical difficulties surrounding safety innovations, while manufacturers receive early indications of consumer expectations regarding safety features, providing a competitive edge. Even if immediate collaboration is not feasible, the connections built will lay the groundwork for future discussions and potential partnerships.
Moderators
avatar for Cleo Stamatos

Cleo Stamatos

Consumer and Legislative Outreach Manager, ANSI
Cleo Manuel Stamatos is aconsumer and legislative outreach manager at the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). She has more than 25 years of experience working in consumer outreach, public affairs, and legislative activities. Prior to joining ANSI in 2021, Stamatos was a... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Trista Hamsmith

Trista Hamsmith

Founder, Reese's Purpose
Trista Hamsmith is the founder of Reese’s Purpose, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting children through advocacy, education, and innovation. After the tragic loss of her daughter Reese, Trista channeled her grief into action, championing the passage of Reese’s Law, which strengthens... Read More →
avatar for Tim Hamilton

Tim Hamilton

Merchandising Vice President, Lowe's
39 years in big box retailing, with JCPenney and the last 13 years with Lowe’s Home Improvement. Tim is now the Merchandising Vice President for Décor at Lowe’s.  Tim’s past merchandising assignments at Lowe’s include  Window Treatments, Appliances, and Seasonal Living... Read More →
avatar for Kevin Rejent

Kevin Rejent

Associate General Counsel – Regulatory & Government Affairs, Energizer
Kevin Rejent is Associate General Counsel – Regulatory and Government Affairs with Energizer Brands, LLC. He joined Energizer in 2020 as its primary Regulatory and Trade Compliance attorney and assist with Government Affairs issues. In 2023, he became the head of Regulatory and... Read More →
avatar for Linda Kaiser

Linda Kaiser

President and Founder, Parents for Window Blind Safety
Linda Kaiser is a dedicated child safety advocate and founder of Parents for Window Blind Safety (PFWBS), a non-profit organization focused on preventing injuries and deaths caused by window blind cords. Her advocacy began after the tragic loss of her one-year-old daughter, Cheyenne... Read More →
Thursday February 20, 2025 10:50am - 11:40am EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

11:50am EST

Plenary Session 11: The Four C's of Product Safety Compliance Programs
Thursday February 20, 2025 11:50am - 12:40pm EST
CPSC and DOJ have been focusing on companies’ product safety compliance programs (PSCPs) in consent decrees and deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs). But even companies that are not under investigation need a robust PSCP, and this panel, which includes an attorney, a manufacturer and service provider will explain why.  Together the panel will discuss the 4 Cs of successful compliance program: Compliance, Communication, Culture, and Continuity. They’ll provide insights into how a company can implement or strengthen its existing PSCP in an effort to maximize the safety of its products and better withstand government scrutiny.
Moderators
avatar for Julie Park

Julie Park

Partner, Morrison Foerster
Julie Park protects her clients’ products and brands throughout their product lifecycle. A Harvard- and Caltech-trained chemist, Julie draws on her technical and legal experience to defend pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer products clients in complex and multijurisdictional... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Jason Hertzberg

Jason Hertzberg

Corporate Vice President and Principal Engineer, Exponent, Inc.
Dr. Jason L. Hertzberg is a Corporate Vice President and Principal Engineer at Exponent, Inc., leading the firm’s global product safety consulting offering. Exponent, Inc. is a leading engineering and scientific consulting firm consisting of more than 90 technical disciplines through... Read More →
avatar for Nathan Mouw

Nathan Mouw

Senior Director - Global Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Whirlpool Corporation
Nathan Mouw is the Senior Director of Global Product Safety, Regulatory Affairs, and Environmental Health and Safety for Whirlpool Corporation. In this role, Nathan oversees the end-to-end value stream of product safety for all products globally, the product regulatory process from... Read More →
Thursday February 20, 2025 11:50am - 12:40pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

12:40pm EST

Grab a Boxed Lunch - Return to Plenary
Thursday February 20, 2025 12:40pm - 12:50pm EST
Grab a box lunch and return to the plenary session for the next session
Thursday February 20, 2025 12:40pm - 12:50pm EST
Exhibitor Hall (Grand Cypress Ballroom Level)

12:50pm EST

Mentor Program Report Out
Thursday February 20, 2025 12:50pm - 1:00pm EST
What have the students been up to all week? Hear from the Chair and Vice Chair of the Student Mentorship Program Committee with an update on the student mentorship class of 2025.
Speakers
avatar for Amy Lane

Amy Lane

Director, Regulatory Compliance, Lovevery, Inc.
Amy Lane serves as Lovevery, Inc.'s Regulatory Compliance Director, overseeing adherence to stringent safety and integrity standards for their subscription-based offerings tailored to families with children aged birth to 4 years old. With a professional background spanning over 17... Read More →
avatar for Sara Delkoski Bakken

Sara Delkoski Bakken

Director, Product Safety, Quality and Regulatory (PSQR), Target
Thursday February 20, 2025 12:50pm - 1:00pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

1:00pm EST

Plenary Session 12: Exploring How Product Safety Impacts Public Health Internationally
Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EST
Product safety and public health experts will discuss key issues facing us today: recalls, regulation, consumer behavior, to name a few.  Through a interactive discussion, the panel will highlight differences in approaches and ways to measure impact and encourage more collaboration both between stakeholders and jurisdictions.
Moderators
avatar for Nancy Cowles

Nancy Cowles

Consumer Advocate, N/A
Nancy Cowles served for 23 years as executive director of Kids In Danger (KID), an organization dedicated to protecting children by fighting for children’s product safety.  KID’s mission was to save lives by enhancing transparency and accountability through safer product development... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Jonathan Midgett

Jonathan Midgett

Consumer Ombudsman, US CPSC
Jonathan Midgett, Ph.D. is the Consumer Ombudsman at the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in Bethesda, Maryland [https://www.cpsc.gov/About-CPSC/Consumer-Ombudsman]. Since joining CPSC in 2001, Dr. Midgett has been evaluating emerging hazards and contributing to the... Read More →
avatar for Vladimir Brajkovic

Vladimir Brajkovic

Risk & Compliance Manager, IKEA
Vladimir Brajkovic joined IKEA of Sweden in 2016 as Product Requirements & Compliance Manager. Since then he was responsible for Development Function, Range & Product Engineering and Product Risk & Compliance. Since late 2021, he is the Risk & Compliance Manager at IKEA of Sweden... Read More →
avatar for Ashley Haugen

Ashley Haugen

President, That Water Bead Lady
Ashley Haugen is a writer, public speaker, and founder of That Water Bead Lady, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about hazardous products like water beads, supporting families affected by product-related injuries, and improving injury reporting systems. Inspired by her daughter... Read More →
avatar for Tica Bosch

Tica Bosch

Consultant, IeConsumo-PSM Product Safety Management
With over 20 years of experience specializing in product safety, Tica Bosch has dedicated a significant portion of her career to designing market surveillance projects, conducting analyses, and sampling consumer products. Her projects, often funded by business associations, aim to... Read More →
avatar for Ben Hoffman

Ben Hoffman

Director, OCCYSHN, OHSU
Benjamin Hoffman is a semi-native of New Mexico. He majored in Anthropology at the University of California at Berkeley, and attended Harvard Medical School. He completed residency training, and a year as Chief Resident, at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Following training, he and... Read More →
Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

1:50pm EST

Recognition of Kids In Danger (KID) & Closing Session
Thursday February 20, 2025 1:50pm - 2:00pm EST
Join with ICPHSO in recognizing and thanking Kids In Danger (KID) for their 26 years of advocacy on behalf of children's product safety.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Harvey

Chris Harvey

Sr. Vice President, Client Services/President-Elect, Sedgwick
With 15 years’ experience, Chris is recognized as an expert in the recall industry and routinely speaks on best practices at trade shows, conventions, and conferences. Throughout his career, he has managed more than 1,200 recall and in-market remediations, including hundreds for... Read More →
avatar for David Kosnoff

David Kosnoff

Product Safety Executive/ICPHSO President
Recently retired from Walmart after a career spanning nearly forty years in corporate life, including a focus on product safety since 2006, David has had the privilege of leading Product Safety teams for Walmart, Hasbro, Amazon, and Mattel. His work included two Hong Kong based assignments... Read More →
avatar for Nancy Cowles

Nancy Cowles

Consumer Advocate, N/A
Nancy Cowles served for 23 years as executive director of Kids In Danger (KID), an organization dedicated to protecting children by fighting for children’s product safety.  KID’s mission was to save lives by enhancing transparency and accountability through safer product development... Read More →
avatar for Kim Mason

Kim Mason

Vice President, Product Quality and Compliance and ICPHSO President, Five Below
Kim Mason is the Vice President of Product Quality and Compliance at Five Below. She leads a team who implements and manages processes, systems, and training related to product safety, testing and regulatory compliance. Kim also oversees Five Below’s social responsibility program... Read More →
Thursday February 20, 2025 1:50pm - 2:00pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)

2:10pm EST

AM26 Planning Committee - Preliminary Meeting
Thursday February 20, 2025 2:10pm - 2:40pm EST
Let the planning for 2026 begin!  Stay back for another half hour and help 2026 Planning Chair Chris Harvey kick off the initial planning for next years Annual Symposium.  If you can't stay for the planning meeting, send an email to info@icpsho.org if you are interested in being on the 2026 Annual Symposium Planning Committee. Participation on the planning committee is an ICPHSO member benefit so if you aren't a member please consider joining.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Harvey

Chris Harvey

Sr. Vice President, Client Services/President-Elect, Sedgwick
With 15 years’ experience, Chris is recognized as an expert in the recall industry and routinely speaks on best practices at trade shows, conventions, and conferences. Throughout his career, he has managed more than 1,200 recall and in-market remediations, including hundreds for... Read More →
Thursday February 20, 2025 2:10pm - 2:40pm EST
Grand Cypress D-I (Ballroom Level)
 
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