AFSL established a China Fireworks Quality Improvement Program that consists of the following elements:
VOLUNTARY STANDARDS
AFSL developed voluntary standards for twelve categories of consumer fireworks devices. The standards were developed and are continuously monitored by a Standards Committee, consisting of representatives of the fireworks industry, federal and state regulatory authorities, consumers, and technical experts.
The AFSL standards incorporate all federal CPSC and Department of Transportation requirements for consumer fireworks, and additional provisions developed by the Standards Committee to improve the safety of the products.
FACTORY ASSISTANCE
AFSL has reached an accord with factories, trading companies and shippers in China to implement a Quality Improvement Program (QIP) for consumer fireworks. Under the program, new product prototypes may be submitted to AFSL for evaluation, and factories receive information, training and technical assistance in producing fireworks that comply with the AFSL voluntary standards. Participating factories also are required to implement quality control procedures and in-process testing to ensure that complying fireworks are being produced consistently.
PRODUCT CERTIFICATION
A U.S. importer, through his China shipping agent or factory, may request that fireworks be tested by AFSL prior to shipment to the United States.
Before a shipment is certified, it is tested by an independent, internationally recognized testing laboratory under contract to AFSL. The laboratory randomly selects samples from the shipment and tests them for compliance with all CPSC mandatory requirements and additional AFSL voluntary provisions.
If the sample passes all requirements, an AFSL certification sticker is applied to each shipping carton in the tested lot. The certification stickers are tightly controlled by AFSL to ensure that they are applied to properly certified merchandise only.
Fireworks manufactured in the United States also may be certified under the AFSL program at the request of the U.S. manufacturer.
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How is the AFSL funded?
Manufacturers and exporters participating in the voluntary Quality Improvement Program collect from the U.S. importer a per-case fee on AFSL-certified fireworks shipped to the importer. AFSL members who do not participate in the testing program pay annual dues of $250. Services provided include:
- Development and review of voluntary standards;
- Testing and certification of specific shipments by an independent testing lab prior to shipment to the United States;
- Technical assistance to participating factories, including annual industry-wide seminars in China to keep industry abreast of changes in requirements, compliance issues identified through the testing program, necessary testing equipment, adequate training for factory personnel, etc.
- Dissemination of appropriate cautionary labeling for the various product categories and other information to assist manufacturers in producing complying fireworks; and
- Periodic newsletters, safety bulletins and annual summary reports on all products tested by AFSL.
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Who Administers the AFSL Program?
AFSL is administered by a 12-member Board of Directors representing companies that manufacture or import fireworks into the United States. For a current list of Directors click on the following link: AFSL List of Directors.
The Board of Directors appointed an Executive Director to handle day-to-day operations. The Executive Director is assisted by a support staff both in the United States and in China. For a list of current AFSL staff click on the following link: AFSL Staff
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Who May Become an AFSL Member?
Membership in AFSL is available to all members of the fireworks industry, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or any other organization concerned with the safety and quality of fireworks. All members who import consumer fireworks from China are entitled to have shipments tested under the testing program in China.
Questions concerning AFSL membership and applications for membership may be obtained from the AFSL website on the following link: www.afsl.org,or by contacting the AFSL office. AFSL contact information can be found on the following link: AFSL Contact Information.
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