ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is working with technology provider RollStream Inc. to deploy a certificate exchange platform for compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

NACDS said Tuesday the Certificate Exchange Network (CEN) will provide retailers, manufacturers and distributors a single online platform to exchange certificates of conformity to demonstrate CPSIA of 2008 compliance by February 2010.

The implementation of the platform is ongoing, and plans call for the network to be deployed before the CPSIA deadline, according to a NACDS spokeswoman.

The network will allow manufacturers to directly post certificates or provide a link to existing certificates of conformity that they may store electronically elsewhere. Through a user-friendly browser interface, retailers can then securely download on demand any product certificate needed to demonstrate CPSIA compliance, according to NACDS.

By providing a one location for the exchange of information, the association noted, the network is expected to help organizations boost efficiency and effectiveness of compliance efforts, reduce risks and minimize costs.

NACDS said the CPSIA of 2008 imposes new document sharing requirements regarding product safety testing certificates on certain consumer products. While the law mostly impacts products intended for children age 12 or younger, it also affects any product subject to regulations set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). All affected products must be accompanied by certificates of conformance, either in paper or electronic form, stating that the product has been tested and meets appropriate standards. The certificates must accompany the product as they are distributed from the manufacturer to retailers and/or distributors.

"We are pleased to work with RollStream to begin the process of delivering this important resource for our members to help them achieve compliance with CPSIA," NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson said in a statement. "The Certificate Exchange Network will provide transparency for retailers and suppliers, enabling them to access certifications for consumer products."

To help educate retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors about the new law and the network, NACDS and RollStream are hosting webinars each Wednesday in November at 3 p.m. EST. To register, visit www.rollstream.com/news/category/webinars/.

"Retailers and manufactures rely on NACDS to promote the best practices that allow them to run their businesses effectively," commented Kristin Muhlner, CEO of RollStream, a McLean, Va.-based provider of enterprise community management solutions. "We are thrilled to help deliver a solution that enables the industry to reduce the risks and minimize the costs associated with compliance."