Texas Should Not Have a Child Welfare System Where Data - and Kids - Fall Through the Cracks
Mon, Jan 30, 2023 11:43 EST
Texas Should Not Have a Child Welfare System Where Data - and Kids - Fall Through the Cracks Texas Cannot Continue to Rely on '90s Era Technology to Protect the State's Most Vulnerable AUSTIN, TX - Texas 2036 and the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services (TACFS) are releasing today a report calling for the state to update the child welfare information system used by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to track case file information, including instances of possible abuse and neglect. Texas DFPS currently uses the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children in Texas (IMPACT) platform to track case file information. The technology supporting this platform was built in 1996, based on federal guidelines from 1993. Modern platforms allow for greater interoperability between agencies and between staff, support continuous updates, and allow staff to access accurate and timely data by both computer and phone. Texas' case management system fails to meet current federal guidance. Texas is one of just four states that has not seized the opportunity to modernize its child welfare information system. "Texas' most vulnerable, our children, deserve better than 30-year-old technology," said Texas 2036 Executive Vice President A.J. Rodriguez . "There are multiple opportunities this session - between federal funds, excess general revenue and the newly created Technology Improvement and Modernization Fund - to address this issue, more so than any session in recent history." A commitment to conversion is fiscally responsible: Texas 2036 and TACFS estimate that converting to a modern child welfare information system would cost $80 million. As things stand, the state is spending millions to maintain a functionally obsolete system. DFPS asked for $68 million in the next budget cycle for "strengthening information technology and data resources," which includes IMPACT needs. Since 2015, IMPACT has cost the state about $80 million in modernization efforts alone. The cost of conversion, while high, can be offset partially through unused federal funds and the newly created Technology Improvement and Modernization Fund. The federal government can match 50% of the state funds if the new system meets all the efficiency and effectiveness requirements of a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System. Converting to a modern child welfare information system would carry additional benefits: Conversion will improve efficiency and collaboration across entities, including courts, Medicaid, educational institutions and other service providers and stakeholders that require timely access to quality data. Modern systems' modular structure ensures that system maintenance and upgrades are not cost prohibitive and do not disable the system. Taking a modular approach to conversion is recommended as it would allow the continuous function of the child welfare information system for the duration of the overhaul. "Investing now in a modern platform for tracking child welfare cases will save the state from continuing to place Band-Aids on a long outdated system," said Texas 2036 Manager of Policy and Advocacy Hope Osborn . "The beneficiaries are not just the children in the system but the caseworkers who dedicate their lives to help those children." Deficiencies in the IMPACT system have been cited by the federal judge overseeing ongoing litigation regarding the state's child welfare services. Among the challenges she identified are "inherent problems with DFPS's outdated IMPACT [data] system [that] further impede caseworkers' ability to review important electronic case file information" and a lack of "functionality for uploading most documents, such as birth certificates, school records, legal documents, medical, dental, developmental and psychological evaluations or the capacity to store these documents." "Improving the systems that support caseworkers and the children under their care is a long-term project and will take more than one year or one legislative session, but it's a worthwhile effort," said TACFS Vice President of Public Affairs Jamie McCormick . "These systems are critical to get the best information, keep all parties apprised of important information and work to better support kids and youth served in Texas." ### About Texas 2036 Texas 2036 is a nonprofit organization building long-term, data-driven strategies to secure Texas' prosperity through our state's bicentennial and beyond. We offer non-partisan ideas and modern solutions that are grounded in research and data on issues that matter most to all Texans. For more information, visit www.texas2036.org . About TACFS At TACFS, our responsibility, above all, is to the children, youth, and families across Texas that we serve every day. Our vocation and our passion is to understand and work to undo the damage caused by trauma, create a system where vulnerable children and families experience safety and well being, and maximize the potential of each child and family. For more information, visit https://tacfs.org.
CliniSync and Unite Us Team Up to Expand Coordinated Care Throughout the Buckeye State
Mon, Jan 30, 2023 10:36 EST
The Ohio Health Information Partnership, operating CliniSync , Ohio's statewide health information exchange (HIE) and Unite Us , the nation's leading cross-sector collaboration software company connecting health and social care services, are partnering to expand the coordinated care network known as Unite Ohio . This five-year collaboration will allow providers, managed care organizations and Community Service Organizations across the state to access the network, allowing Ohioans to easily connect to much-needed wraparound supportive services. The Unite Ohio network is a coordinated care network of health, human, and social service providers. Partners in the network are connected through the Unite Us Platform, an integrated, HITRUST-certified social care solution helping providers and community-based organizations address social determinants of health and advance health equity. The network helps connect people to community resources and services such as food assistance, housing and shelter, and individual and family support with real-time measurable outcomes data. Partnering with Unite Ohio enables providers and organizations to move beyond a resource directory to a scalable, HITRUST-coordinated care network that supports all people through their health and social care journeys. With the help of public health and nonprofit professionals across the state, this outcomes-focused network collaborates to support community members' health and overall wellness while eliminating systemic barriers to care. "CliniSync and our Stakeholders are committed to addressing health disparity and equity for all Ohioans by overcoming barriers and roadblocks preventing better outcomes. Recognizing that 75% of health outcomes are affected by social determinants of health, enabling coordination and facilitating information flow is a critical step. Through the Unite Ohio network, the state has a significant opportunity to create real change through an aligned approach in managing Social Drivers of Health." said Dan Paoletti, CEO of CliniSync and the Ohio Health Information Partnership. Unite Ohio was originally launched in 2020 and was built in collaboration with partners, including MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic, and University Hospitals. The network has expanded into 2021 and is currently serving Ohioans across half of the state's eighty-eight counties from Cleveland to Cincinnati, with plans to expand across every Ohio county by the end of 2023. "The collective goal of our partnership with CliniSync is to effectively increase equitable access to care for Ohioans regardless of circumstance," said Maria Gerace, Community Engagement Manager at Unite Us. "CliniSync and Unite Us will work together in partnership with our community partners and healthcare providers to redefine the quality, impact, and intersection of health and social care across the state," she added. Currently, the network includes 350+ participating organizations with access to 1,000+ other programs across the state for Ohioans seeking support in Unite Ohio's shared infrastructure. This partnership between Unite Us and CliniSync will continue expansion to hospital systems and health plans throughout Ohio to further bridge the gap between health and social services. To learn more about services offered through the network or for community-based organizations that would like to join and offer services, visit https://ohio.uniteus.com/ . About CliniSync Ohio's CliniSync Health Information Exchange is one of the fastest growing and most successful HIEs in the nation. At CliniSync, improving healthcare coordination and delivery are at the core of everything. CliniSync believes that when the people organizing, managing, or delivering healthcare have access to a comprehensive picture of a patient's health information, they can make better informed, data-driven decisions that can ultimately make healthcare more equitable for all people.
211 SOCIAL SERVICE CONNECTOR NOW AVAILABLE FOR METRO CHICAGO
Mon, Jan 30, 2023 10:29 EST
211 Metro Chicago-a free resource connecting individuals in need of assistance with essential health and social services support-is now available via phone, text, web chat and database search 24/7 for all Cook County residents. When residents need support, too often, they either don't know where to turn or face hurdles in navigating the complex web of resources available in Cook County. 211 Metro Chicago eliminates this barrier by connecting individuals with local Resource Navigators who assess their needs and connect them to non-emergency providers for support. Local Resource Navigators are trained staff who are available 24/7 to connect Cook County residents with assistance. "We have seen great success with 211 lines across North America, which have connected millions of people in need to local organizations that can help," said United Way of Metro Chicago President & CEO Sean Garrett. "With Chicago and Cook County now part of the 211 network, all Cook County residents are just one text, chat or phone call away from an expansive database of incredible social services. We are thrilled to be a part of bringing this critical connection to the greater metro Chicago area." Similar helplines available across Illinois have fielded more than 98,000 requests for services since their inception. 211 can help residents connect with a variety of resources such as food, housing, utility payment assistance and other free-to-low-cost health and social services. "For too long the burden of navigating the ecosystem of service providers has been placed on our residents," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "In partnership with Cook County and United Way of Metro Chicago, I am thrilled to announce 211 which will serve as a one-stop resource to meet residents where they are and ensure they are connected to the essential health and social services they need." 211 does not replace vital helplines like 911, which individuals should continue to call for emergencies. Requests for City infrastructure services and other non-emergency safety-related requests should go to 311, or the city or village office if 311 is not available in your community. Individuals experiencing a crisis related to mental health or emotional well-being should call 988 for immediate phone support. "With 211 we are providing to our Cook County region a free and truly critical service that's long overdue for our residents," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. "Cook County will now be connected to non-emergency providers for support services, and I am proud our partnership with United Way and the City of Chicago is helping bring this necessary resource to life." 211 Metro Chicago is operated by United Way of Metro Chicago and launched with support from the City of Chicago, Cook County, philanthropic partners and the 211 Metro Chicago Advisory Committee composed of business, civic, charitable and social service organizations. United Way of Metro Chicago mobilizes private, philanthropic and public sector support to help individuals meet their basic needs and works to support equitable transformation in neighborhoods across the Chicago region. The 211 Metro Chicago Advisory Committee member organizations have worked in partnership since 2021 to ensure 211 Metro Chicago effectively meets the needs of all Cook County residents: - ATT - Austin Coming Together - Bright Star Community Outreach - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago - Chicago Community Trust - Chicago Department of Family & Support Services - Chicago Department of Public Health - Chicago Urban League - City of Chicago, Office of the Mayor - Cook County, Office of Economic Development - Enlace Chicago - Friend Health - Greater Chicago Food Depository - Heartland Alliance - NAMI Chicago - Peoples Gas - Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation - United Way of Metro Chicago 211 Metro Chicago has also partnered with Unite Us, a software company enabling cross-sector collaboration, to create a robust resource database of health and social services across Cook County. Through this partnership and the existing relationships Unite Us has with local organizations, 211 Metro Chicago has a solid foundation of health and social service resources to which local Resource Navigators can connect residents in need of support. Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a local Resource Navigator on the phone. To connect with 211 Metro Chicago via text message, text your zip code to 898211. Visit 211MetroChicago.org to connect with resources via web chat and web search. Live Resource Navigators are available via phone, text and web chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. About United Way of Metro Chicago United Way of Metro Chicago brings together businesses, government, philanthropic, individual, and community leaders to deliver funding and resources to and amplify the expertise of nonprofit organizations across greater Chicago. We help individuals meet their basic needs and work alongside neighborhood partners to address local priorities and create communities where all people can thrive. United, we are building a stronger, more equitable Chicago region. To learn more, visit LIVEUNITEDchicago.org .
SGS extends fiber fragmentation testing services in partnership with TMC
Mon, Jan 30, 2023 07:08 EST
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, has extended its global fiber fragmentation testing services with approval from The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) for five additional laboratories - in Bangladesh, India, Turkey, the USA and Vietnam. TMC, which develops practical solutions for the textile industry to minimize fiber fragmentation and its release into the environment, approved SGS as its inaugural third-party laboratory in 2021 with the approval of three laboratories in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei City. The collaboration ensures TMC's brand, retail and supplier members gain greater access to SGS's global testing services to help them understand the requirements, while demonstrating their environmental responsibility and improving sustainability along the supply chain. Yvonne Tse, Vice President - Global Softlines, SGS, said: "Our collaboration with TMC goes from strength to strength and we are delighted to extend our fiber fragmentation testing services within Asia and into Europe and the USA. We welcome the opportunity this brings to expand our work with TMC members, and the wider textile and apparel industry, to support them in taking the practical steps needed to accelerate reductions in fiber fragmentation." The textile industry is increasingly aware of the issue of fiber fragmentation and its potential as a serious environmental polluter. The goal of TMC, founded in 2018, is to facilitate the development of practical solutions for the industry to minimize fiber fragmentation and its release into the environment from textile manufacturing and through the product life cycle. About SGS Softlines SGS offers a wide range of services to the softlines and accessories industry, at every stage of the value chain, with services to help them meet the requirements of regulators, distributors, retailers and consumers around the world. SGS helps to ensure the quality, safety and sustainability of products, and their mode of distribution, to satisfy regulatory requirements as well as the demands of the market. Its softlines and accessories services cover: Textiles and clothing Shoes (and other footwear) Bags and accessories Jewelry Linens and towels PPE Find out more at www.sgs.com/softlines For further information contact: Steve McDonald Global Technical Manager Connectivity and Products, SGS t: +44 (0)7818 514346
Materials Handling Company Comments on the Need for Retailers to Improve Warehouse Efficiency
Mon, Jan 30, 2023 04:10 EST
Several retailers have announced that they're introducing fees for the return of items bought online. Midland Pallet Trucks, a leading materials handling company, says that in light of this news, there's a growing need for retailers to improve the efficiency of their warehouse operations. Several retailers - including Mountain Warehouse, Moss Bros, and THG, have introduced a charge for shoppers returning items. This move is in line with a wider shift in the industry as businesses look to recuperate the increasing fulfilment costs involved in online returns. Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of Midland Pallet Trucks, says, "In the past few years, retailers have experienced an increase in returns from customers who buy items in multiple sizes and send back the ones that don't fit. The cost of processing these items falls on the retailer, so, unsurprisingly, many have chosen to introduce a fee". Phil adds, "However, retailers that have decided to charge their customers to send back their items need to ensure that their returns processing is better than ever so that they can make sure they're providing value for money. To achieve this, they will need to optimise their warehouse operations to make them faster and more efficient". Midland Pallet Trucks provide companies and warehouses across the UK with a wide range of affordable, high-quality material handling equipment. Their most popular items - electric pallet trucks, weighing scale trucks, and high lift pallet trucks - allow businesses to maximise efficiency when handling returns. Warehouses can optimise their operations by using high-quality materials handling equipment, such as pallet trucks, which can improve efficiency and productivity while reducing the risk of injury to employees. This will be crucial when processing high quantities of return items, as any employee downtime will cause delays and negatively impact the customer experience." Midland Pallet Trucks is committed to helping retailers improve the efficiency of their warehouse operations by providing the latest in material handling equipment.
Kwanti Announces New Screener Feature to Help Financial Advisors Discover Best Performing Assets
Fri, Jan 27, 2023 19:23 EST
Screener assists investment managers in finding the right investment opportunities for clients Kwanti , a portfolio analytics solution aiding financial advisors and investment managers with prospect conversion, client retention, model management, and much more, recently announced the release of Kwanti Screener, a new feature that allows advisors to screen for best performing assets and find the right investment opportunities for clients, saving them time in the process. "Screener reveals best performing assets in seconds, sifting through millions of risk, performance, and allocation data points," said Christophe Gauthron, CFA®, Founder and CEO of Kwanti. "Advisors using Kwanti's powerful analytics can now make even better investment decisions for their client's portfolios." Kwanti users now have the ability to search ETFs, mutual funds, SMAs, and individual stocks and narrow the list down based on specific criteria of their choosing. With just a few clicks, advisors can view a filtered down list of the best performing assets via Kwanti's intuitive, user-friendly interface, which includes hundreds of thousands of securities and their data points. COMBINING POWERFUL ANALYTICS AND PROPOSAL GENERATION TO OPTIMIZE TIME AND RESOURCES Kwanti delivers portfolio analytics, stress testing, and proposals for advisors and investment professionals, assisting with prospect conversion, client acquisition and retention, and model management. The web-based software and fintech solution allows advisors to balance serving clients well and managing portfolios with data-driven expertise. Users can elegantly showcase portfolio recommendations to centrally position themselves in client relationships and close business with prospects, as well as leverage data integrations with leading custodians and portfolio management platforms to streamline the client management process. Kwanti's integration partners include Pershing, Schwab, TD Ameritrade Institutional, Fidelity, Advyzon, Orion, Redtail, Black Diamond, WisdomTree, BlackRock, State Street, Riskalyze, TradePMR, Addepar, Folio Institutional, and more. Kwanti offers a free 30-day trial, with no software to install and all features available during the trial. Financial advisors and other interested parties can click here to sign up for the free trial or click here to watch a demo . SEARCH FOR SIMILAR ASSETS AND EXPORT RESULTS In addition to filtering and screening for best performing assets based on criteria of their choosing, Kwanti users can use Screener to search for similar assets. Advisors can search for any asset and Kwanti will filter down a list of similar assets for them to review, and they can then save searches for future uses. Saved Searches will remember all of the pre-selected criteria, column selections, and sorting preferences. Once the user has filtered down the results, they can take their analysis one step further by comparing up to four assets in the Asset Profile. They can also export their list of results to an Excel spreadsheet for additional analysis outside of Kwanti. "We have used Kwanti's Screener feature extensively to navigate the thousands of investment options advisors must sift through in order to build portfolios tailored to their clients' needs, as well as to their own respective investment management styles," said Matt Smith, CFA®, CFP®, CIMA®, CAIA®, Founder of Concert Financial Planning. "Used in concert with Kwanti's array of features and tools, we can go deeper into the portfolio construction and analysis process in a much more intuitive and simplified way than we could with other services that were also substantially more costly." Kwanti Screener is now available to both new and current users at no cost. To learn more about Screener, please click here to visit the Kwanti blog . To see full documentation and a "how-to" video for using Screener, please click here for a full tutorial .
George Beauregard, DO Joins SoNE HEALTH as Chief Population Health Officer
Fri, Jan 27, 2023 12:50 EST
HARTFORD, CT. (January 26, 2023) - Southern New England Healthcare Organization (SoNE HEALTH) is pleased to announce the appointment of George Beauregard, DO, as its new Chief Population Health Officer. Dr. Beauregard brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to SoNE HEALTH. Prior to joining SoNE HEALTH, he served 4.5 years as Senior Vice President, Value-Based Care and Chief Physician Executive at Catholic Health Physician Partners in Long Island, New York. In that role, he led the organization's strategic and clinical initiatives toward a transition to value-based care delivery and payment models. Dr. Beauregard's clinical experience in Internal Medicine spanned 20+ years in the Boston market. More recently, over the past 14 years, he has served as a physician executive leading the development and population health capabilities in mixed model large risk-bearing physician networks and integrated delivery systems in multiple markets across the United States. Over that period, he has realized significant success in commercial and governmental value-based care models, including CMS MSSP, DSRIP, CJR, and BPCIA programs. "We are thrilled to have Dr. Beauregard join the SoNE HEALTH team. Population health is a key component of any clinically integrated network. As we continue to develop and deploy our population health strategy the breadth and depth of Dr. Beauregard's background, particularly in driving value in healthcare, will prove invaluable in leading our population health programs, performance improvement, clinical integration, health equity, and in our pursuit to maximize value in our health system," said Lisa Trumble, President and CEO at SoNE HEALTH. In his role Dr. Beauregard will lead the population health team, its programs and initiatives. Key responsibilities will include developing and implementing population health strategies and initiatives, providing clinical leadership and oversight of the organization's clinical value initiatives, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective care across the SoNE HEALTH system.
ETSI NFV Releases Architecture Enhancements to Support Cloud-Native Network Functions
Fri, Jan 27, 2023 08:22 EST
The ETSI Industry Specification Group for Network Functions Virtualization (ISG NFV) has just published its next drop of specifications around new enhancements of the NFV architecture that will support cloud-native network functions.
Nightingale College Strongly Condemns Florida-Based Fraudulent Nursing Diploma Scheme as Detrimental to Public Health and the Nursing Profession
Thu, Jan 26, 2023 21:28 EST
No connection between Federal investigation 'Operation Nightingale' and Nightingale College Nightingale College, a pioneer in distance education for nurses, today condemned the acts of certain employees associated with the three Florida nursing institutions that are alleged to have distributed thousands of false diplomas and transcripts, allowing individuals to sit for the national nursing board exam. The College supports the Health and Human Services (HHS) investigation into this fraudulent scheme. For more information about the institutions and individuals charged, please view the Department of Justice's press release . "The nursing profession is held in the highest regard and trust in this country," said Dr. Jeffrey A. Olsen, acting president of Nightingale College . "Our graduates come to the nursing profession with the knowledge and skills needed to protect public health. It is an unfortunate coincidence that this investigative effort was titled Operation Nightingale, and could be misconstrued by our partners or students that Nightingale College was involved in this fraudulent behavior but we are in no way connected to it." With more than two dozen people charged, it is Nightingale College's hope that any group(s) misrepresenting nursing programs that provide fake diplomas and transcripts will be shut down by the efforts of the investigative bodies. As nursing is among the most trusted professions in the United States, it is imperative that the nursing education process continue to be protected. "We fully support the overseeing federal agency's efforts to expose and charge those who would damage both the reputation of the nursing community and nursing education in general," noted Dr. Olsen.
National Car Rental Launches New Mobile App for the Business Pro on the Go
Thu, Jan 26, 2023 17:33 EST
Updated App Offers Improved User Experience & New Features to Help Customers Take Control of Their Rental Experience from Reservation to Return The company that helps you Go Like A Pro® is raising the bar with a more seamless digital experience. National Car Rental has released a redesigned mobile app that features improved aesthetics and a more user-friendly interface to make the car rental experience even more frictionless. "The new National app is designed to put more speed, choice and control in the palm of your hands," Enterprise Holdings Vice President of Global Customer Experience & Digital Paul Reh said. "This release signifies our continued investment in both our brands and the customer experience." New updates to the mobile app include one-click reservation, which allows authenticated users a streamlined reservation experience, and a feature that allows users the ability to view additional rental options from Enterprise Rent-A-Car neighborhood locations when a National location is not available. Additional features of the redesigned app include: Authenticated Emerald Club members' profile details are automatically applied to their reservation Easy access to find current and upcoming trip information as well as past rental history and detailed receipts The ability to search National locations worldwide and view location details, including hours of operation, addresses and phone numbers and even arrival directions to the lot Roadside assistance or 24/7 customer support, and access to frequently asked questions Fingerprint and/or face ID recognition Emerald Checkout℠ at participating airport locations allows members to scan a vehicle and view details including mileage and features, confirm rental options and accelerate the exit process Improved control for users including reservation assistance to provide timely and important information about a customer's rental and the ability to extend a rental directly from the app by simply choosing a new return date and time St. Louis-based Enterprise Holdings, through its independent regional subsidiaries, manages the National Car Rental brand along with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Alamo brands. A mainstay of Enterprise since its inception in 1957 is an unwavering commitment to exceed every customer's expectation. This focus on quality and superior customer service earned the National brand the No. 1 ranking in both the Travel + Leisure 2022 World Best Awards and the Business Travel News 2022 Car Rental Survey . The launch of the new mobile app is part of a major effort across Enterprise to enhance the customer experience and remove friction around the most critical steps in the rental journey. This high-tech, digital-first approach aims to evolve the rental experience to deliver enhanced convenience, control, personalization and transparency. The new National app is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store . About Enterprise Holdings Enterprise Holdings is a leading provider of mobility solutions including car rental, fleet management, carsharing, vanpooling, truck rental, luxury rental, retail car sales and vehicle subscription, as well as travel management and other transportation technology services and solutions, to make travel easier and more convenient for customers. Enterprise Holdings' subsidiaries and franchisees, together with its affiliate, Enterprise Fleet Management, manage a diverse fleet of 2.1 million vehicles through an integrated network of more than 10,000 fully staffed neighborhood and airport rental locations in more than 90 countries and territories. Privately held by the Taylor family of St. Louis, Enterprise Holdings manages the Enterprise Rent-A-Car , National Car Rental and Alamo brands.
SGS announces mini-talk schedule for Nuremberg Toy Fair 2023
Thu, Jan 26, 2023 10:05 EST
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, is pleased to announce its mini-talk schedule for the Nuremberg Toy Fair (Spielwarenmesse®) in 2023. Experts in all aspects of toy compliance will be available to answer delegate's questions on Booth A-67 in Hall 7 of the Nuremberg Toy Fair between February 1-5, 2023. It is the ideal opportunity for toy industry operatives to learn more about the comprehensive testing and certification solutions being offered by SGS that ensure compliance with relevant European and global market requirements. In addition, SGS's technical experts will be a delivering mini-talks on a range of hot topics in both German and English. All mini-talks require registration as seats are limited. Topics covered: Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Einführung in die Spielzeugchemie (German) 10.30-11.00 SGS Green Mark (English) 15.00-15.30 Thursday, February 2, 2023 France AGEC - Packaging Waste Labeling (English) 10:30-11:00 SCIP - Datenbank (German) 15:00-15:30 Friday, February 3, 2023 EN 62115 - Electrical Toys (English) 10:30-11:00 Die DIN EN 71-1 zum anfassen - Praxisbeispiele (German) 15:00-15:30 Delegates should register now to ensure a seat at these events - register today . Spielwarenmesse® is held at the Exhibition Center in Nuremberg, Germany, between February 1-5, 2023. It brings together 2,843 exhibitors from over 70 countries and attracts around 62,000 visitors from 136 countries to look at over 1 million products. For further information, please contact: Stephanie Pionchon Global Marketing Manager t: +49 172 3815 777 www.sgs.com/toys
Jack Wolfskin And Microban International Produce Odour-Resistant Apparel That Is Ready For Adventure
Thu, Jan 26, 2023 10:02 EST
Jack Wolfskin, a leading provider of premium quality outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, has partnered with Microban International to incorporate Scentry Revive ® odour-neutralising technology into its range of clothing. This odour-capture innovation from Microban seamlessly integrates into fabrics during manufacture to prevent odours from building up between washes, keeping garments fresh for longer. In addition, the non-biocidal technology has earned an Oeko-Tex ® certification and is bluesign ® approved. A common issue with polyester, nylon and elastane - textiles which impart breathability and comfort to activewear - is their predisposition to odour retention. With long term use, athletic garments are susceptible to the accumulation of sweat, dead skin cells and body odours. Perhaps surprisingly, frequent washing of these fabrics is not a viable solution; laundering alone is inefficient at removing malodours, can reduce the robustness of fabrics, and contributes to costly water and utility bills. Therefore, there is high demand for sustainable built-in scent control in the textile industry. Jack Wolfskin has decided to include Scentry Revive technology - which complements the contemporary, adventure-ready nature of its products - to extend the useful lifetime of apparel and reduce washing requirements. Integrating an odour-neutralising technology from Microban, the world leader in antimicrobial and odour-control solutions, provides Jack Wolfskin with confidence that its products will remain fresh wear after wear, for up to 50 laundry cycles. Regina Goller, Director of Fabric and Trim Management Apparel at Jack Wolfskin, commented on the benefits of Scentry Revive: "The team at Jack Wolfskin takes pride in applying revolutionary technologies to our product range. We wanted to produce odour-resistant garments that required less washing, to benefit both our customers and the environment, and Scentry Revive has made that goal attainable." Michael Ruby, President of Microban, added: "We are delighted to partner with Jack Wolfskin to complement their functional, contemporary activewear and accessories. The inclusion of Scentry Revive in apparel intended for adventure, travel and outdoor purposes demonstrates the robustness of the technology, and the ability of the formulation to neutralise odours even with sustained exposure to sweat and moisture. The odour-control solution also increases the number of uses before products need to be laundered, aligning with Jack Wolfskin's eco-friendly ethos. We are proud of this partnership which will deliver a better consumer experience and allow for longer product lifecycles, less laundering, and reduced consumption of energy, water and other natural resources." For more information about this collaboration, visit: www.microban.com/jack-wolfskin To read more about Scentry Revive odour-capture technology, visit: www.microban.com/odor-control/technologies/scentry-revive
Last Chance Saloon for the Mitsubishi Monster
Thu, Jan 26, 2023 09:27 EST
On the final day of the public inquiry into Mitsubishi Estates' proposed redevelopment of the former London Television Centre (60-72 Upper Ground), community organisations told the Inspector that a once in a lifetime opportunity will be wasted and irreparable harm to London's South Bank caused if planning permission is granted to what has been described in the national press as ´a brute of a building' (Rowan Moore in The Observer), ´an aggressive behemoth' (Sir Simon Jenkins in The Guardian), and ´a grotesque monstrosity' (Richard Morrison in The Times). Locals are even less complimentary. Mitsubishi's development would destroy the special character of the South Bank, introducing a massive office development which would dominate riverside views, cast shadows over the riverside walkway and Bernie Spain Gardens, rob daylight from adjacent housing co-operatives, and adversely impact heritage assets like the National Theatre, St Paul's, and local conservation areas. Michael Ball, Save Our South Bank and Waterloo Community Development Group says: "What people want are buildings that reflect the history, character and identity of their community and that belong in their surroundings: here on the South Bank, not just anywhere. Michael Gove, the Secretary of State who will take the decision, has made it clear that developers need to design beautiful buildings that are supported by the communities that must live alongside them". David Hopkins, Director of Community at CSCB says: "Michael Gove has said that it is vital to build many more homes and, wherever possible, these should be built on brownfield sites. In some places communities are against new housing. Here on the South Bank, we want more. Yet this vast development of a brownfield site doesn't offer a single home to address London's severe housing shortage. We are confident that Michael Gove will see this as exactly the wrong sort of development for this sensitive South Bank site and will send Mitsubishi back to the drawing board". The Inspector's report is expected to go to the Secretary of State in the Spring with a decision announced this Summer.
SGS Gives Overview of Recent California Prop 65 Settlement Agreements for Consumer Goods
Thu, Jan 26, 2023 04:39 EST
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a SafeGuardS looking at a wide variety of settlement agreements reached in California relating to consumer products containing chemicals listed under Proposition 65 (Prop 65). SafeGuardS 007.23 was published on January 17, 2023. It contains information relating to settlement agreements involving consumer products containing the following chemicals: One or more phthalates Lead Chromium (VI) compounds, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol Z (BPZ), bisphenol AP (BPAP) and bisphenol B (BPB) Products covered by the settlement agreements include everything from boat hooks, fitness bags and travel bottles to leather gloves, phone cases and pencil cups. Prop 65, or the 'Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986', is a unique piece of legislation that requires the state to maintain a list of chemicals (Prop 65 List) known to cause cancer, birth defects and/or reproductive harm. Unless exempted, businesses operating in California must provide 'a clear and reasonable warning' (Prop 65 Warning) before knowingly and intentionally exposing anyone to a substance on the Prop 65 List. Once a substance is included in the list, companies have twelve months to comply with this requirement. Stakeholders operating in the phone case market should note the settlement for BPA also allows the not detectable amount of BPA and six BPA-analogs that are not currently on the Prop 65 list of chemicals. Additionally, the parties named in two settlements involving chromium (VI) compounds in leather footwear and gloves have agreed to reformulate their products to no more than 0.1% total chromium in the tanned leather of these products using ISO 17072-2 'Leather - Chemical determination of metal content - Part 2: Total metal content'. Stakeholders are advised to review SGS's original SafeGuardS 007.23 to learn more about recent Prop 65 settlement agreements covering consumer goods. It should be noted, settlement agreements are only legally binding on named parties, but they do provide an indication of how manufacturers and suppliers should progress when operating in California. SGS Prop 65 Services With a global network of laboratories, SGS can offer comprehensive testing, product assessment and consultancy services related to California Proposition 65. SGS can assist your risk management strategy in consumer goods, such as DIYs, electrical and electronics, hardgoods products, juvenile products, and textile & toy products. In the end, it's only trusted because it's tested. Learn more about SGS's Prop 65 Services. SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full California Proposition 65: Reformulation of Chemicals in Consumer Goods SafeGuardS. Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox. For further information contact: Dr. HingWo Tsang Global Information and Innovation Manager Tel: (+852) 2774 7420 Ms. Melanie Schubert Senior Technical Manager Tel: +1 312 414 9394 Email: cp.media@sgs.com Website: www.sgs.com/cp LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
Brazil Publishes Proposal to Revise Some Food Contact Requirements
Thu, Jan 26, 2023 04:28 EST
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, is advising stakeholders that Brazil is proposing changes to its resolution covering food contact packaging, utensils, lids and metallic equipment. The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) informed the World Trade Organization (WTO) on January 5, 2023, that it intended to make multiple revisions. SGS has now published SafeGuardS 006.23 to give stakeholders an overview of the proposed changes. It contains a table that highlights the main amendments being proposed, including provisions relating to: Impurities Products made from stainless steel alloys Products made from aluminum (+ its alloys) To see the complete table and learn more about Brazil's proposal, view SGS's original SafeGuardS 006.23. The draft resolution was attached to WTO document number 23-0120. It contains several important changes to Collegiate Board Resolution - RDC No. 20 March 22, 2007, as amended by Collegiate Board Resolution - RDC No. 498 of May 20, 2021. Comments will be accepted until March 6, 2023. SGS Food Contact Material Services SGS's technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles in contact with food. They can ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. SGS offers the full range of testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. In the end, it's only trusted because it's tested. Learn more about SGS's Food Contact Material Services. SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Brazil Consults Over Proposal to Revise Food Contact Packaging, Utensils, Lids and Metallic Equipment SafeGuardS. Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox. For further information contact: Dr. HingWo Tsang Global Information and Innovation Manager Tel: (+852) 2774 7420 Alessandra Shimizu Technical Manager Tel: (+55) 11 3883-8880/8785 Email: cp.media@sgs.com Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
SGS Publishes SafeGuardS Looking at Turkey's New Import Requirements for Toys and Other Consumer Goods
Thu, Jan 26, 2023 04:18 EST
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, is reminding stakeholders that Turkey has updated its import controls for toys and a variety of consumer goods. Turkey's Ministry of Commerce issued two communiqués on December 31, 2022. These relate to the nation's import controls covering the safety and quality of goods for consumers via the nation's Risk-Based Control System on Foreign Trade (TAREKS). The two communiqués are: Communiqué on Import Control of Toys (Product Safety and Inspection: 2023/10) Communiqué on Import Control of Consumer Products (Product Safety and Inspection: 2023/12) Communiqué 2023/12 covers a wide range of products, including: Plastic gloves for domestic use Plastic files and folders Toilet seats for children Imitation jewelry Watches and straps Covers and screen protection films for mobile phones and tablets Cases for cell phones and tablets Mouse pads Products falling under the scope of the following standards: TS EN 1273 Baby walking frames and TS EN 1466 Carry cots and stands TS EN 1400 Soothers for babies and young children TS EN 14350 Drinking equipment intended for young children TS EN 14988:2017+A1 Children's highchairs TS EN 13138-3 Buoyant aids for swimming instruction TS EN ISO 9994 Lighters and TS ISO 22702 Flame-producing consumer products TS EN 15338-1 Hardware for furniture and TS EN 15570 Hardware for furniture - strength and durability of hinges and their components - hinges pivoting on a vertical axis TS EN 60825-1/A11 Laser products SGS has published SafeGuardS 005.23 to give stakeholders a more complete overview of the scope and requirements in both communiqués, which both came into effect on January 1, 2023. SGS Consumer Product Services SGS provides news about the development of regulations affecting consumer products as a complimentary service. With an unrivalled global network of laboratories, they offer physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products. In the end, it's only trusted because it's tested. Learn more about SGS's Consumer Product Services. SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Turkey Issues Communiqués for Toys and Other Consumer Goods SafeGuardS. Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox. For further information contact: Dr. HingWo Tsang Global Information and Innovation Manager Tel: (+852) 2774 7420 Mr. Uğur Yilmaz Hardlines and C&H Customer Services Section Head Tel: +90 212 368 40 00 - 4441 Email: cp.media@sgs.com Website: www.sgs.com/trade LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
Sustainable Beauty Brands Must Offer More Than Just a Green Image, Says Adonis Manufacturing
Wed, Jan 25, 2023 10:28 EST
Adonis, a lead manufacturer of private-label beauty products, is speaking out about the issue of greenwashing in the beauty industry. The company believes that while many brands are quick to boast about their sustainability efforts, they are not doing enough to back up those claims by selling environmentally-friendly products. Statista estimates that in 2026, the global cosmetics industry will reach an annual revenue of around 131 billion U.S dollars. Adonis believes that as the industry continues to grow, it's important for brands to focus on sustainability in order to protect the planet. "It's not enough for a brand to simply claim that they're sustainable," says Ann Wilson, spokesperson for Adonis. "Consumers are becoming more savvy, doing their due diligence, and are seeing through greenwashing. Beauty brands need to ensure they're supporting their sustainability claims by providing products that are truly environmentally-friendly, not just slapping a 'green' label on something that's not truly sustainable." Adonis is dedicated to producing beauty products that are more sustainable, from sourcing ingredients that are ethically and sustainably grown, to using more eco-friendly manufacturing processes. The company is committed to transparency and ensuring that their customers know exactly how their products are created. "We're not saying it's easy to be truly sustainable, but it's something we all need to strive for," says Wilson. "It's time for the beauty industry to step up and take responsibility for its impact on the environment." Adonis encourages customers to do their research and support brands that are truly committed to sustainability. They believe that it's not enough for a brand to simply claim they're following a sustainable agenda, as consumers are becoming more savvy and will be able to understand if the company is truly implementing sustainable practices. For more information on Adonis, visit https://adonismfg.com/
Kwanti Announces New Screener Feature to Help Financial Advisors Discover Best Performing Assets
Wed, Jan 25, 2023 07:44 EST
Screener assists investment managers in finding the right investment opportunities for clients Kwanti , a portfolio analytics solution aiding financial advisors and investment managers with prospect conversion, client retention, model management, and much more, recently announced the release of Kwanti Screener, a new feature that allows advisors to screen for best performing assets and find the right investment opportunities for clients, saving them time in the process. "Screener reveals best performing assets in seconds, sifting through millions of risk, performance, and allocation data points," said Christophe Gauthron, CFA®, Founder and CEO of Kwanti. "Advisors using Kwanti's powerful analytics can now make even better investment decisions for their client's portfolios." Kwanti users now have the ability to search ETFs, mutual funds, SMAs, and individual stocks and narrow the list down based on specific criteria of their choosing. With just a few clicks, advisors can view a filtered down list of the best performing assets via Kwanti's intuitive, user-friendly interface, which includes hundreds of thousands of securities and their data points. COMBINING POWERFUL ANALYTICS AND PROPOSAL GENERATION TO OPTIMIZE TIME AND RESOURCES Kwanti delivers portfolio analytics, stress testing, and proposals for advisors and investment professionals, assisting with prospect conversion, client acquisition and retention, and model management. The web-based software and fintech solution allows advisors to balance serving clients well and managing portfolios with data-driven expertise. Users can elegantly showcase portfolio recommendations to centrally position themselves in client relationships and close business with prospects, as well as leverage data integrations with leading custodians and portfolio management platforms to streamline the client management process. Kwanti's integration partners include Pershing, Schwab, TD Ameritrade Institutional, Fidelity, Advyzon, Orion, Redtail, Black Diamond, WisdomTree, BlackRock, State Street, Riskalyze, TradePMR, Addepar, Folio Institutional, and more. Kwanti offers a free 30-day trial, with no software to install and all features available during the trial. Financial advisors and other interested parties can click here to sign up for the free trial or click here to watch a demo . SEARCH FOR SIMILAR ASSETS AND EXPORT RESULTS In addition to filtering and screening for best performing assets based on criteria of their choosing, Kwanti users can use Screener to search for similar assets. Advisors can search for any asset and Kwanti will filter down a list of similar assets for them to review, and they can then save searches for future uses. Saved Searches will remember all of the pre-selected criteria, column selections, and sorting preferences. Once the user has filtered down the results, they can take their analysis one step further by comparing up to four assets in the Asset Profile. They can also export their list of results to an Excel spreadsheet for additional analysis outside of Kwanti. "We have used Kwanti's Screener feature extensively to navigate the thousands of investment options advisors must sift through in order to build portfolios tailored to their clients' needs, as well as to their own respective investment management styles," said Matt Smith, CFA®, CFP®, CIMA®, CAIA®, Founder of Concert Financial Planning. "Used in concert with Kwanti's array of features and tools, we can go deeper into the portfolio construction and analysis process in a much more intuitive and simplified way than we could with other services that were also substantially more costly." Kwanti Screener is now available to both new and current users at no cost. To learn more about Screener, please click here to visit the Kwanti blog . To see full documentation and a "how-to" video for using Screener, please click here for a full tutorial .
New Website to Connect Public With Local Care and Health Services
Wed, Jan 25, 2023 05:23 EST
Searching for care services and health advice close to home can be a daunting task, and one often undertaken at a vulnerable time. A new website, Wiserr has launched to tackle this issue and is set to help members of the public find the best local care options - and help top-notch care services to stand out. An information and advice hub, Wiserr has been designed to serve as an invaluable resource for anyone seeking care services and health advice around the country. It makes the process of searching for care homes, retirement homes, nursing homes, dementia homes, respite care, home care providers and retirement living easier than ever before thanks to detailed listings, photos, videos and CQC ratings for care providers. Karen Nelson, Wiserr Director, said: "There are few choices in life as important as those we make for our own health, or the health and wellbeing of our loved ones. Whether you're looking for a care home for a parent or grandparent, the importance of having the right information on the services available cannot be overstated; how else can anyone make an informed decision about what they should be looking for and what care and health services are appropriate? "We believe that the public deserve to have all the knowledge they need to make the best choices right at their fingertips. Likewise, we believe that top-notch care providers deserve to be promoted in their local communities." In addition to helping local communities to find necessary care and general health services, Wiserr will spotlight those professionals and organisations that deliver exceptional standards of client care. The advice hub will provide resources and information to help individuals make informed choices, with practical guides such as what types of home care are available free to access. Scheduled to launch on 1 February 2023, Wiserr is linked to more than 3,000 GP surgeries around the country and is open to enquiries by care services and health professionals looking to be showcased on the platform. Businesses within the care sector can register now to be included ahead of the launch. For more information on Wiserr, visit https://wiserr.co.uk, or write to info@wiserr.co.uk.
Truum™ Helps Online Retailers Reduce Return Rates and Increase Customer Satisfaction
Wed, Jan 25, 2023 05:08 EST
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a Consumer Compact article looking at the problem of high return rates in e-commerce and considers the benefits of taking an AI-enabled approach to website data improvements. The US National Retail Federation estimates return costs of USD 166 million for every USD 1 billion in sales. In 2021, US businesses were estimated to have lost USD 761 billion in lost sales. What can retailers do to improve customer satisfaction, reduce return rates, increase conversion rates and ensure regulatory compliance? SGS's Consumer Compact article looks at the issues surrounding low conversion rates and high return rates. It urges a rethink in the way online retailers operate - from the perspective of the customer - and the benefits of taking an AI-enabled approach to finding bad product data. Read the original Consumer Compact article, ' Turning Browsers into Satisfied Online Shoppers '. SGS Solution Truum™ is an AI-enabled autonomous scanning tool that reviews online catalogs and automatically identifies product pages at risk of creating bad data points. It reduces the need for retailers to manually check each product page for missing, incoherent or erroneous data, allowing them more time to focus on their customers. Truum™ helps retailers provide more accurate and informative product data to ensure regulatory compliance, higher conversion rates, reduced return rates and higher customer satisfaction levels. Learn more about Truum™. Subscribe here to receive SGS Consumer Compact direct to your inbox. For more information, please contact: Email: cp.media@sgs.com Website: www.truum.com LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail About SGS We are SGS - the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 96,000 employees operate a network of 2,700 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.
