ISPA announced that product manufacturers and trade associations from a wide range of industries have joined together to launch the Product Management Alliance, a national organization that promotes free-market solutions to address product stewardship. The International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) became a founding member of the group because its advocacy efforts will support the interests of the mattress industry.
Alliance members share a common belief that all parties in the supply chain share responsibility to effectively manage a product throughout its life cycle. The group will advocate for voluntary, market-based solutions to these issues and incentives for increased recycling and sustainable design.
Product Management Alliance founding members represent the mattress, carpet, electronics, toys, paper, packaging and transportation materials, plastics, personal goods, and pharmaceuticals industries. Christopher Hudgins, ISPA Vice President of Government Relations and Policy, will serve on the board of directors.
“As more states consider policies to address the disposal of mattresses, we will work with decision makers to educate them on the benefits of product management systems that recognize voluntary programs and spread responsibility among all parts of the manufacturing and distribution process,” said Christopher Hudgins. “Inefficient and costly mandatory programs for product disposal should be avoided, and flexible market-based systems that will achieve more economical results should be encouraged.”
The Product Management Alliance will monitor and examine the economic and commercial impact of public policy initiatives that mandate so-called “extended producer responsibility” programs that shift the costs of product collection and recycling solely to the manufacturer. The Alliance will also work with experts in industry and government to develop consistent policies for recovery, take-back programs and other extended producer responsibility models.
Additional information about the Product Management Alliance can be found at www.productmanagementalliance.org.
About The International Sleep Products Associaiton: Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress industry. As the industry’s trade organization, ISPA represents over 600 mattress manufacturers and suppliers throughout the world.
ISPA provides a wide range of member services, including industry surveys and statistics, advocacy support, educational offerings, the ISPA EXPO trade show, safety research through its Sleep Products Safety Council, consumer research and education through its Better Sleep Council, Bed Times and Sleep Savvy publications, and the ISPA Earth™ Industry Sustainability Initiative. Additional information is available via the website at www.sleepproducts.org.