Promotional products industry puts focus on sustainability and fairness.

Promotional products are not simply stylish and image promoting – at PSI 2014 they also impress with qualities such as sustainability, fairness and increasingly also greenness. This development is also furthered by the cooperation between the PSI and the European Promotional Products Association (EPPA). Through the EPPA Code of Conduct for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) they unite in calling for social responsibility to be shown by the companies in the promotional products industry. Numerous PSI members have already adopted it.
 
The EPPA quality seal is only one of many certificates to be found at PSI. For a long time already, the exhibitors at the Leading European Trade Show of the Promotional Products Industry have focussed on quality and transparency for promotional products as a central objective. Whether for accessories, T-shorts, biros or packaging – the “green” initiative in the industry is gaining ground.
 
Quality seal “Made in Germany”
One frequent quality characteristic of promotional products is the “Made in Germany” label. The attribute “Made in Switzerland” or “Made in Austria” have likewise come to be considered as independent quality seals. Internationally recognised IFS, GMP, Oeko-Tex or environmentally-friendly production certificates also indicate a company’s special sense of responsibility and environmental awareness. At PSI 2014 exhibitors highlight certified quality to promote their products. The focus is on topics like environmentally-friendly production and distribution processes, sustainability and fairness. This creates trust and a sense of security, and makes such products attractive for distributors and consumers.
 
From Oeko-Tex to GMP
One of the internationally recognised certificates is the Oeko-Tex? Standard 100. This is a uniform standard for evaluating problematic substances in textile products. With the Oeko-Tex? logo, companies like Daiber or V. Fraas GmbH provide evidence that all the clothing and textile products supplied by them are skin-friendly. In addition, Daiber presents a fashion range manufactured according to the W.S.T. Standard (Water Saving Technology) and is also a member of the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI). Supported by BSCI, companies undertake to improve working conditions in the production process in developing and newly industrialising countries and to promote sustainable protection of the environment.
 
Xindao V.B. likewise follows the green trend in the industry, using environmentally-friendly packaging as well as supplying ecologically sound products. At PSI 2014, the Dutch company presents a new “green” collection. This includes a set of energy saving lamps in environmentally-friendly packaging or a purely green planting kit. By choosing the environmentally-friendly packaging, the consumers also demonstrate particular environmental awareness.
 
For the distribution of cosmetic promotional products, manufacturers and distributors increasingly rely on observing the European Cosmetics Directive. This provides for, among other things, clear specification of responsibilities, the publication of the frame formulation and uniform labelling. By observing this directive, manufacturers guarantee a high level of healthfulness of their products. One of them is ars Design GmbH whose cooling anti-pruritic is one of the products to meet the requirements of the Cosmetics Directive. The product is “Made in Germany” and also meets Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). Products corresponding to GMP guarantee high product quality and meet the mandatory requirements for marketing set by the health authorities.
 
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