SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, reminds businesses operating in New York State that the governor, Kathy Hochul, has recently signed into law new requirement on the use of flame retardants in furniture, mattresses and electronic enclosures with displays.

This ground-breaking bipartisan Bill (A5418B and companion bill S4630), is the first in the US to prohibit the entire group of organohalogen flame retardants in electronic enclosures, such as televisions. It amends Article 37 in the state’s Environmental Conservation Law and inserts Title X (10), to be called the ‘Family and Fire Fighter Protection Act’.

Title X reads:

TITLE X

REGULATION OF CHEMICALS IN UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE, MATTRESSES AND ELECTRONIC ENCLOSURES

The Act has several definitions of which stakeholders should be aware:

• “Covered flame-retardant chemical” – any chemical that meets both of the following criteria:
  1. Functional use to resist or inhibit the spread of fire or as a synergist to chemicals that resist or inhibit the spread of fire
  2. One of the following: a halogenated, organophosphorus, organonitrogen, or nanoscale chemical
• “Electronic enclosures with displays” – consumer product with a display screen and associated that, as its primary function, displays visual information from wired or wireless sources and is available for purchase by individuals or households for personal use in a residential space

Exemptions to the provisions in the Act relating to electronic displays include:  

• Screen areas of no more than 100 cm²
• Projectors
• Virtual reality headsets
• All-in-one video conference systems
• Displays that are integrated with appliances and are not available for purchase as separate products by end-users

Stakeholders should be aware of the following dates:

• December 31, 2022 – manufacturers of electronic displays sold in New York State must also submit an annual report identifying all flame retardants used in enclosures and their stands
• January 1, 2024 (per section 37-1003) – “no person shall sell or offer for sale in the state of New York any new, not previously owned, upholstered furniture or mattress, that contains, or a constituent component of which contains, any intentionally added covered flame retardant chemical, individually or in combination.”
• January 1, 2024 (per section 37-1007) – “no person shall sell or offer for sale in the state of New York any electronic display that contains an intentionally added organohalogen flame retardant chemical in the enclosure or stand of such electronic display.”

Failure to conform to the provisions in sections 37-1003 and 37-1007 can result in a civil penalty not exceeding USD 1,000 for each day during which violation continues. The penalty will increase to USD 2,500 for each day because of a second violation.  

Stakeholders are advised now check their products conform to the latest flame retardant restrictions in New York State.

SGS Chemical Testing

SGS offers a comprehensive range of testing services to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products are safe and comply with national and international regulations concerning harmful chemicals. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.

Learn more about SGS Chemical Testing Services.

For further information contact:

Sanjeev Gandhi

Deputy Vice President

Connectivity & Products

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/cgnr 

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 93,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

ARLINGTON, VA - January 22, 2022 - Encore Outpatient Services was pleased to announce Zach Hocanson as our new Clinical Director last month.

After an extensive search for the ideal candidate, we identified Zach’s experience as a licensed counselor, specializing in addiction and  trauma treatment, to align well with the corresponding responsibilities of this role within our company.

With a Master of Arts degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Toledo in Ohio, and more than seven years in practice, Zach has experience leading clinical teams in both outpatient and inpatient environments.

Zach’s holistic and cognitive approach to addiction and trauma treatment was evidenced in his most recent position as the head of the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) department at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery. Alongside a multidisciplinary team, Zach helped treat first responders in an inpatient setting and was responsible for treatment and modality implementation to address co- occurring mental health and substance use issues.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Encore team as the new Clinical Director,” Zach said. “I’ve worked in dual-diagnosis programs at different levels of care nearly the entire eight years I’ve been in this field and I am looking forward to taking a direct leadership role with Encore.”

Not only is Zach highly-skilled in this field, he is also a passionate and encouraging leader. Eager to help support his team to develop their individual skills as therapists, Zach is looking forward to providing comprehensive care tailored to each of Encore’s patient’s needs.

The team is incredibly exciting to work with; they’re all wonderfully dedicated and passionate about their work,” Zach said. “Moving into 2022, my goals center around the development of the clinical team. The way I see it, the more refined and advanced the team’s skills are, the better we can serve our patient population and give every patient the opportunity to live healthier lives. Staff that feel successful and purposeful in what they do translates to a direct benefit to those we serve and I hope to be able to help support the clinical team in providing the best clinical care possible.”

We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Zach to his new position.

About Encore Outpatient Services: Encore operates partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient programs for substance use disorder with co-occurring disorders, and trauma treatment in Arlington, Virginia.

TORONTO, January 22, 2022 - The Government of Ontario has acknowledged the rising number of patients with an inadequate number of healthcare providers across the province. Hence they are offering various financial aids to students especially, private career colleges to encourage them to choose healthcare related programs. The government is also pushing healthcare programs in Canada to help individuals and communities live better lives by enhancing their knowledge and altering their attitudes toward caring for their well-being.

“All stakeholders gain from health education since it focuses on prevention, enhancing health equity, and reducing negative health outcomes such as health service availability and accessibility.” said Nicholas, program advisor at NACPT Pharma College “At NACPT we employ health professionals to teach our programs as our graduates eventually spread professional help toward the community and strengthen our healthcare system.”

The healthcare industry is currently facing a shortage of Personal Support Workers (PSWs). With increasing long-term care patients and old age homes, the dire need of PSWs call for more students applying for related programs in the sector.

Another career path that has high value are medical office assistants. Medical assistants are not strictly required to have a healthcare background hence people with different education or skill sets can pursue this career with a one year Medical Office Assistant diploma certificate.

“NACPT Pharma College offers Medical Office Administration and Personal Support Worker diploma programs along with job assistance, work placement and hands-on training.” said RathiParam, Dean of NACPT pharma College. “And we encourage students to join the healthcare sector through these programs now, as the government is offering various financial aids to find qualified professionals in the healthcare industry.”

Currently the college is going through the admission process for all domestic and international students and plans on reaching out to those who might be interested in this program and help them with educational grants as well.

Visit here for more information on all healthcare programs provided by NACPT pharma College: https://www.nacptpharmacollege.com/healthcare-program/

About Us
NACPT Pharma College, o/a North American College of Pharmaceutical Technology (NACPT) is a career college that operates as a PCC under PCC Act, 2005. Currently, NACPT Pharma College has two campuses located in the heart of Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario. NACPT is a leading career college in Canada that provides in-depth skill training in healthcare, pharmaceutical, cannabis, business, technology and related fields in order to maximize the job and business opportunities within the target industries. For over ten years, NACPT has offered specialized in-depth skill training, graduate and post-graduate diploma programs in both the pharmaceutical and cannabis industries. In addition, NACPT has been offering various cannabis skills training and business incubation programs since 2017. NACPT Pharma College is affiliated and partnered with many leading pharmaceuticals, cannabis, technology, IT and related companies with the intention of providing job placement within the industry-related sectors.

Contact Us:
Sandra Dipic
Site Coordinator, NACPT Pharma College
9 - 5310 Finch Ave East, Toronto, ON M1S 5E8
201 - 25 Watline Ave, Mississauga, ON L4Z 2Z1
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Inquiry: 416-412-7374 (Ext. 1)
Call / Text: 647-998-7374
https://www.nacptpharmacollege.com/healthcare-program/

Sushmita Sen was awarded the International Association of Working Women Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor

Washington, DC, USA, January 23, 2022 - Highlighting the 10th anniversary of the prestigious DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF), Sushmita Sen was awarded the International Association of Working Women Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Series (‘Aarya’). The Disney+ Hotstar crime-thriller follows Aarya, an independent woman who joins a mafia gang in order to get revenge for her husband's murder. On her win, an elated Sen said, “A big shout out to Indian women who are producing and working on such shows. Thank you on behalf of 500 or so ‘Aarya’ team members – from the bottom of my heart.”

Joe S. Khera, Director of the International Association of Working Women (iAWWOMEN) said: “Women represent a key demographic for the entertainment industry, so it comes as no surprise that 2021 witnessed a fundamental shift in the rise of female-driven content. With nominees from 10 countries, including: Argentina (Valeria Bertuccelli, ‘El Cuaderno de Tony’), Australia (Anna Trov, ‘The Newsreader’), Canada (Vinessa Antoine, ‘Diggstown’), Egypt (Menna Shalabi, ‘Every Week Has Friday’), India (Sushmita Sen, ‘Aarya’), Israel (Niv Sultan, ‘Tehran’), Spain (Ane Gabarain, ‘Patria’), South Korea (Hoyeon Jung, ‘Squid Game’), United Kingdom (Hayley Squires, ‘Adult Material’), USA (Mj Rodriguez, ‘Pose’) – selecting this year’s recipient was not an easy task.

As Aarya, Sushmita Sen’s emotions were very raw and personal, which allowed for her performance to resonate with not only a global audience, but also the jury.” On her portrayal of Aarya, Sen said, “I credit my performance to a collective effort of our team, the director, my co-actors and assistants.”

“DCSAFF is among the top 5 premier South Asian film festivals in the world and one of the most celebrated events on the Washington DC cultural calendar,” added Vice President of iAWWOMEN, Mitnain K. “This is our second collaboration with DCSAFF and we are thankful to festival directors Manoj and Geeta Singh for supporting our efforts of championing women in the fields of film, television and digital media.”

Hosted by the DC South Asian Arts Council Inc., DCSAFF takes place annually in the heart of America’s capital – showcasing the best in alternative cinema from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, and Tibet. The 2022 edition of the festival will run virtually from 16th-30th January.


About iAWWOMEN

iAWWOMEN was established  in Los Angeles in 2012. Currently, headquartered in Toronto, Canada (with sister offices in Spain, Austria, Kenya and USA) the association is dedicated to enhancing the status, improving working conditions and advancing the rights of professional women across all industries including: Film, Television, Digital Media, Fashion, Music, Art, Journalism, Literature, Sports, Politics, Business and Science.