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2024 GRS Compliance Recap
What a year! 2024 was filled with surprises that sent the stuffed article compliance industry for a real loop. We put together a recap of all the year’s biggest happenings, and what you need to know to stay compliant in 2025.
What’s Up With Utah??
If there was one hot topic in 2024, it was Utah’s digital labeling requirements—and all the ups and downs that came with them. When the state announced their regulations in late 2023 without a clear solution, it paved the way for a lot of panic and headaches throughout 2024!
Thankfully, we finally have clarity about Utah’s requirements and how retailers can comply with them. After a handful of false starts, near the end of 2024 Utah announced their enforcement date of May 15, 2025.
By May 15, 2025, all stuffed articles sold online to consumers in the state of Utah will need a digital label in addition to the physical label attached to the product. If you want to avoid potential fines and off-sales (and who doesn’t?) you can read the full requirements here.
Understanding Utah’s requirements is Step One. Step Two is “How the heck am I supposed to comply??” Never fear—GRS is here
We put together a quick guide to help retailers like you find a solution to Utah’s regulations that’s the right fit for your business and your products. Spoiler alert: Law Label Lookup™ from GRS is the simple, Utah-accepted path to complete compliance.
New Laws & Regulations
Pennsylvania Stuffed Toy Update
The state of Pennsylvania implemented major changes to stuffed toy submissions and stuffed toy labeling. The following changes will be fully enforced on August 27, 2025, but warnings are already being issued to manufacturers that do not comply:
- Additional information required during URN registration
- New samples required for companies with existing PA licensing
- Changes to recycled toy labeling
Pennsylvania Fee Increase
Effective November 2, 2024 the Pennsylvania Legislature approved a fee increase for various services, listed below.
Bedding & Upholstered Furniture
Application & Renewals: $187.86
Sales fee: $.06 per item
Stuffed Toys
Application & Renewals: $93.93
Industrial Board (Variances)
Petition: $402.03
Expedite Request: $1654.46
Connecticut Regulation Exemption
Connecticut introduced a new bill that simplified licensing for companies that import and manufacture bedding and upholstered furniture under the same company name and address. If this describes your business, you now only need a single license in CT: a Manufacturer of Bedding and Upholstered Furniture (MFG) license.
Here is the single CT license you need depending on your company description:
- My company only manufactures stuffed articles — CT Manufacturer (MFG) license
- My company manufactures and imports stuffed articles under the same company name and address — CT Manufacturer (MFG) license
- My company only imports stuffed articles — CT Importer (IMP) license
GRS Company Updates
GRS is always moving compliance forward. In 2024 we made some changes to better support retailers, suppliers, and manufacturers of stuffed articles.
2024 By the Numbers
We had a massive year here at GRS, and the numbers prove it! Here’s a snapshot of how we supported our customers’ comprehensive compliance in 2024.
- 538 registration jobs completed
- 1,020 new URNs enrolled into a premium Monitored Service subscription
- 19,210 licenses renewed
- 5,329 label files uploaded to Law Label Lookup™
- 727 sample product filling tests facilitated for Ohio registration
- 842 compliant product-specific law labels designed
- 10 blogs published
- 10 guides published
- 12 webinars hosted
- 8 industry events attended
- 7 speaking engagements
Law Label Lookup™: An Agency-Accepted Solution to Digital Labeling
Need help complying with digital labeling requirements from states like Utah? GRS has you covered with Law Label Lookup™.
Law Label Lookup™ is a public online database that allows consumers and regulatory agencies to view law labels before purchase. The regulatory agency-accepted platform makes it simple for retailers to understand their compliance requirements, have suppliers upload their labels, and stay compliant with digital labeling regulations.
Updates to the GRS Platform
The GRS Platform keeps our customers on the cutting edge of compliance—and in 2024 we made some changes under the hood that made it an even more helpful tool.
First, sales reporting is now done through your GRS account rather than collected over email. This streamlined experience is quicker and more convenient, and allows you to see the history of all sales reports. SEE HOW SALES REPORTING WORKS
The other big update was our New Registration cost estimator. This powerful tool lets you select your registration type, product category, and ongoing compliance support through our Monitored Services to give you an estimate of your potential costs to register your products. ESTIMATE YOUR NEW REGISTRATION COSTS
GRS Insiders: The Inside Scoop for GRS Customers
In addition to our free monthly newsletter, we launched a new, exclusive bulletin for GRS customers: the GRS Insider.
GRS Insider Retail Edition
For retailers enrolled in our Retail Compliance program.
The Retail Edition gives our retail partners a finger on the pulse of the regulatory landscape, empowering them to take action on impending compliance changes before anyone else. It also keeps retailers appraised of compliance updates that may affect their suppliers, for complete peace of mind.
GRS Insider Premium Edition
For manufacturers and suppliers subscribed to License Management or Guaranteed Compliance, our GRS-managed Monitored Services for ongoing compliance support.
The Premium Edition covers updates on new regulated products, product category changes, and other breaking news to keep your products on the forefront of compliance.
Want to get the GRS Insider Premium Edition without having a GRS-managed Monitored Service? Join the waitlist below, and we’ll be in touch when the subscription is ready to launch!
Webinars: Stay Ahead of the Curve
Want to get a crash course in compliance? The GRS team regularly hosts virtual events covering the hottest topics facing the industry, like:
- Law Labels and Registration 101
- Utah’s Online Visibility Requirements
- Canadian Labels
Grab your tickets to upcoming events, and subscribe to our calendar to stay informed about new learning opportunities.
Conference Recaps
The GRS team attended some great conferences and industry events throughout 2024! We put together some quick recaps in case you weren’t able to attend.
IABFLO International Annual Conference 2024
As long-time IABFLO partners, GRS was excited to give a presentation at this year’s conference on correcting non-compliant labels in the marketplace. Other topics of note included transitions to online licensing systems, recycled materials, and online law label requirements.
ICPHSO Annual Meeting and Training Symposium 2024
Our team’s participation at the ICPHSO 2024 conference encompassed exhibition, sponsorship, and presentation. In our "The Push and Pull of Sustainability" presentation, we explored the delicate balance between regulatory obligations and stakeholder expectations in achieving sustainability goals.
JPMA Summit 2024
As relatively new members of Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), we were excited to attend the organization’s annual Summit for the first time. Highlights included tips on Truth in Advertising, legal best practices for manufacturers, and PFAS bans.
ICFA Elevate 2024
The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) conference provided our team with a unique perspective of the outdoor furnishings industry. One of the main issues discussed was the new and proposed rules regarding PFAS.
ISPA EXPO 2024
The International Sleep Products Association’s ISPA EXPO is the largest, most comprehensive, exhibition in the mattress industry. The GRS team was privileged to connect with the people, products, ideas, and opportunities that set the pace for the mattress industry’s future.
What to Know Heading Into 2025
2025 is set to be a busy year for the stuffed article industry. To prepare you for the year ahead, we put together these helpful guides shedding light on the trickier parts of getting and staying compliant.
Stuffed Article Inspections
This 3-part guide covers the ins and outs of inspections, what inspectors look for, and what you can do to keep ahead of fines and violations.
PART 1: WHAT ARE INSPECTIONS?
PART 2: LICENSE VIOLATIONS
PART 3: LAW LABEL DESIGN VIOLATIONS
Importer Licensing
This guide explores the benefits and process for obtaining importer licensing, which allows you to print the importer’s name on a stuffed article label.
URNs vs. RNs
Learn the differences between URNs and RNs, what types of products they are needed for, how to apply for them, and how GRS can support you in compliance for both.
URNs VS. RNs — WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Ohio Sample Testing
Ohio sample testing is a mandatory part of bringing products to market in the state. Here we outline the process and answer frequently asked questions.
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