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Changing product demand, increasing competition, fewer resources and consumer demand for transparency and safety are sending clear signals about continued changes in every company’s manufacturing processes. New business models and stringent regulations are becoming the norm, so streamlining operations, while maintaining quality is becoming non-negotiable for any reputable institution. Not an easy task, but certainly one that is being demanded today. This week Stan Salot and his guest, Indra Desai, will discuss how manufacturing process management helps eliminate toxic products and therefore support industry to safeguard consumer choices.

We hear about toxic toys and fake Gucci bags frequently, usually when their blatant occurrence or discovery makes the news. Sometimes people lose “only” money and respect for the retailer, other times they risk losing a lot more. Recognizing the risk of toxic and counterfeit products to their customers, some retailers such as Target just established supplier requirements. However, 90% of major retailers do not have rules about toxins and counterfeits and continue to choose to carry millions of products with potentially life- threatening components. Why is this our reality today? How can we change it? Join us for a casual conversation with Stan Salot and Julia Kocs, executives of the HSF Mark Program as they discuss the concerns fueling their passion and their hope for a US economy free of hazardous substances.

There are over 140 million products manufactured worldwide- and many of them will be on sale for this approaching holiday season. This is the season to share- and buy: more new products enter our households, from toys to couches to electronics than any other time of the year. It is nearly impossible to know the ingredients in these products or whether they contain counterfeit parts. Join us on learning how to avoid the probability of the paying tenfold for deeply discounted items! This show includes a special interview with successful industry entrepreneur Don Baker, founder of a professional electronics supply chain services company. You will also hear from our host, Stan Salot, veteran expert and co-author of the handbook on hazardous substance process management.

The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board plays an important role in ensuring the safety and quality of goods and services and in protecting the environment in the US. The Board accredits testing and calibration labs, inspection and certification bodies, reference material producers, and proficiency test providers. You wouldn't want to be treated by a doctor who isn't board certified in her specialty, or send your child to a college that isn't accredited, would you? Like those accrediting bodies, the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board conducts audits to make sure industry follow international standards and are competent to do their work. This week Stan Salot and his guest, Randy A. Dougherty, Vice President, ANAB for the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board, will discuss ways accreditation and certification bodies can support industry to safeguard consumer choices.

Air, next to water and soil, is a third critical resource for humans, plants, animals and all other organisms within a natural area. Air must be monitored in order to control and lower pollution levels, control smoke caused by wild land fires, and to monitor air quality. The USDA Forest Service monitors the effects of air pollution that may impair visibility, harm human health, injure trees and other plants, acidify or cause unnatural fertilization of streams and lakes, leach nutrients from soils, and degrade cultural resources, like archeological sites and historical buildings. Forest activities that can affect air quality such as prescribed burning, ski areas, and mining are also monitored to ensure compliance with air regulations for human health and to monitor possible impacts to natural resources. This week Stan Salot and his guest, Linda Geiser, ecologist with the USDA, will discuss our collective environmental responsibility to our planet.

Counterfeiting is a complex, dynamic and global problem that negatively impacts brands in every industry and often threatens the health and safety of consumers around the world. Diversion of products into unauthorized sales channels and distribution of “gray market” goods cause significant losses for many companies. While there is no ‘cookie cutter’ solution to address the brand protection challenges that a company may face, companies seeking to better protect their brands should consider the following best practices in the development of an anti-counterfeiting and brand protection strategy tailored to meet their specific needs. Join our host Stan Salot and his guest, Mr. Justin E. Pierce to hear about ways you can protect your brand in the marketplace.

As of Friday, October 23, four people have been found dead due in San Francisco alone, to overdosing on what are believed to be counterfeit Xanax pills containing a strong opioid called fentanyl. According the FDA, counterfeit medicine is fake medicine. It may be contaminated or contain the wrong or no active ingredient. Join our host, Stan Salot Jr. for a discussion on why counterfeit drugs are illegal, ways they pose threats to our health and for our communities at large, and how to stay away from these potentially lethal substances.

Do you know the difference between misleading or deceptive marketing strategies? Some companies put trademarks on their own products or services that are close in appearance or meaning to those of the original manufacturer. These companies use these “logos” in ways that confuses or misleads the purchaser into thinking that the goods come from or are associated with and authorized by the original source. The harm goes beyond loss of business: confused customers buy the infringer’s goods rather than the original goods. It can also adversely affect the brand value and customer loyalty of the original source and can stop it from gaining market share. Due to these practices, we, unsuspecting consumers, can become supporters of counterfeiting and trafficking. This week, our host, Stan Salot and his guest Prof. Jacob Jacoby, to hear about the ramifications of deceptive marking and their commitment to educate and protect the public from the damages of these practices.

Did you know that the federal Environmental Protection Agency encourages efforts to reduce packaging and household waste, but through low-key exhortation rather than regulations. The United States, unlike Britain for example, imposes no special federal tax on landfills, and weaker regulation makes it easier to expand them. These practices, often differ in emerging countries, coupled with ways industry counts on consumers buying products without much scrutiny can lead to our willingness to participate in an epidemic that continues to alarm consumer advocates and environmentalist. This week, our host, Stan Salot will answer questions from our loyal audience, focusing on daily risks we face in today’s fast paced, materialistic society. He will also share about his activism with industry leaders globally, including his upcoming keynote address in Australia, and his commitment to raise awareness around the globe about the issues that are cheating our wallets and affecting our health.

What has changed since the last general update on Toxic Substances and Counterfeiting? Living with risk is a reality that we are faced with each and every day. From the time we are conceived until the day we die we are faced with the danger of coming in contact with Toxic Substances and Chemicals in their natural form or from something that was manmade. Over time we learn about dangerous substances that we have created and eventually we take steps to mitigate their effects. Some identify this as our road to prosperity while others consider this a slippery slope to hell. On today’s show Stan and Todd Kramer will explore Toxic and Counterfeit News articles found on the internet. I invite you to be part of the show today by sharing your thoughts or asking questions.

On June 23 2014, Homeland Security Investigations just finished an investigation to conclude that the department seized $37 million worth of counterfeit of National Football League-related products amid Super Bowl XLVIII this year. The very same day, a Maine company has pleaded guilty to manufacturing and trafficking of counterfeited apparel bearing the trademarks of the New York Yankees, Harley Davidson, John Deere, Jack Daniels, Orange County Choppers, and Playboy. Employees designed counterfeit trademarks, created screens from which the trademarks could be printed on apparel items, and printed the counterfeit trademarks on those items. This news update is one of many we see daily about products on our shelves that are not what they seem. Do we know the risks, and how can we protect ourselves? Join our host, Stan Salot Jr. and our Production Manager, Julia Kocs, as they discuss the issues of counterfeits and toxins from the perspective of the consumer.

Did you know that veterinarian offices are the busiest during the last three months of the year? As we are approaching the holiday season, our routines get disrupted, social calendars fill to the brink, and often as a result, we pay less attention to our pets. From food hazards to decorations, plants and costumes, our four legged friends could be exposed to hazards resulting in serious harm and injuries. We can avoid emergency visits to veterinarians if we are aware of the potential triggers and dangers, and take steps to protect our companions. Join our conversation with our special guest Dr. Ashley Geoghegan, DVM, to learn about pet safety during the holidays; as with awareness and planning, we can keep our celebrations special for everyone in our families.

According to the 2014 National Diabetes Statistics Report, 29.1 million have diabetes in the United States, a disease that can affect many parts of the body and is associated with serious complications, such as heart disease and stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-limb amputation. Diabetes can be treated and managed by healthful eating, regular physical activity, and medications to lower blood glucose levels. Still, every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world, someone loses a lower limb as a result of diabetes. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Shaun Carpenter, a board certified emergency physician and two times cancer survivor, to talk about his medical participation in response to Hurricane Katrina, including his commitment to saving people’s limbs from amputation.

The Department of Defense published a proposed rule on May 16, 2013, entitled “Detection and Avoidance of Counterfeit Electronic Parts”. The rule addressed contractor responsibilities for detecting and avoiding the use or inclusion of counterfeit electronic parts or suspect counterfeit electronic parts, the use of trusted suppliers, and requirements for contractors to report these parts. Following the publication, private-sector firms, industry associations, and government agencies made recommendations and these were carefully considered in preparing the final rule. The much anticipated final rule amending the DFARS was issued last week and became effective on May 6th, 2014. This week, join our host, Stan Salot and his guest, Robert S. Metzger of Rogers Joseph O'Donnell, P.C., as they discuss the implications of this rule to the industry and those committed to counterfeit mitigation.

This week, join our host, Stan Salot and his guest, Mr. Chris Yau, Vice Chairman of the IECQ CABC, to discuss ways the industry is engaged in Hazardous Substance Process Management (HSPM) in order to address our common safety. IECQ HSPM provides the requirements used to demonstrate to the international market place that the organization has developed, documented, and implemented processes for managing the production, selection and use of electronic components, assemblies, processes and related materials in accordance with customer, local, national and international HSF requirements (like Sony SS 00259, Directive 2002/95/EC, Directive 2002/96/EC and other local environmental regulations) for their scope of activity.

Buying a new large appliance for your home or office can be a daunting task. For refrigerators alone, today's shopper will find an ever-increasing range of color and style options, some designed to disappear into the decor, and a wide variety of new smart features, including ones aimed at transforming the kitchen itself into an entertainment hub. According to CNET, the choices available can make one wonder if the ol' fridge might be going through a bit of an identity crisis. But how about safety? Are manufacturers protecting our health while innovating their design? This week, join our host, Stan Salot and his guest, JoAnn Emmel to discuss consumer choices when purchasing electronics and ways the industry can be engaged in addressing our common safety.

Did you know that many products sold by the millions in the pet supply and grocery stores can cause serious health consequences to pets and humans? Even some items specifically designed for family fun, such as holiday lights and toys, can cause health problems for our pets. Join us today for a special conversation with Dr. Ashley Geoghegan, DVM, to learn about ways to keep our pets healthy and safe, including tools and tips on prevention and treatment that embraces holistic and integrative medicine.

A recent study by the Environmental Working group, in conjunction with the Red Cross, conducted blood tests on the umbilical cord of babies. There was an average of 287 chemicals tested for in every specimen. These chemicals included toxic heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, herbicides and industrial chemicals. Approximately 180 of these substances are cancer-causing, 217 are toxic to the brain in nervous system, and 208 are known to cause birth defects. Worried? So are we… In order to address this pressing concern, we are starting a series to explore the effects of toxins on our collective wellbeing. Join us for an exceptional conversation with Dr. Shaun Carpenter, a board certified emergency physician and two times cancer survivor, as we launch this monthly series. Topics covered will include the relationship between toxins and disease, and ways we can minimize their negative impacts on our health.

According to FBI, Interpol, World Customs Organization and International Chamber of Commerce estimates, roughly 7-8% of world trade every year is in counterfeit goods. That is the equivalent of as much as $512 billion in global lost sales, many of them as a result of counterfeit goods coming into the U.S. undetected. Faced with the complex and growing phenomenon of counterfeiting, global action is necessary. In order to mitigate this costly and widespread problem, the World Customs Organization (WCO) has launched IPM Connected, a global network of track and trace and authentication communication tool that helps right holders to cooperate with customs administrations. This week, join our host, Stan Salot and his guests, Mr. David Chandler of WCO and Matthew R. Shindell from Goldberg Segalla, to discuss the innovative ways industry is helping us address our common safety.