FJATA's Executive Director Brent Cleaveland and General Counsel Sheila Millar were Presented an Outstanding Achievement Award by Internationally Respected Standards Organization, ASTM International

Both Honored for their Outstanding Contributions in the Development of Safety Standards for Adult and Children’s Jewelry

Brent Cleaveland, Executive Director of FJATA (The Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association), and Sheila Millar, Partner at Keller and Heckman LLP and General Counsel to FJATA, each received Outstanding Achievement Awards from the ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) F15 Committee during the 2015 FJATA Annual Conference. The Award honored them for their dedication and technical contributions to ASTM Subcommittee F15.24, which developed standards relating to safety and performance of adult and children’s jewelry.

Brent Cleaveland, Executive Director of FJATA, chairs the F15.24 Subcommittee and has over 40 years experience in the jewelry industry.  He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to FJATA’s members. FJATA represents the interests of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of jewelry and accessories. For its members, FJATA serves as the key voice to regulatory agencies that need specific industry information. FJATA members comprise a highly dynamic and competitive segment of the fashion industry, providing jewelry and accessories to adults and children worldwide.

Sheila Millar, Partner at Keller and Heckman LLP and FJATA General Counsel, has built her practice focusing on consumer protection.  Ms. Millar counsels clients on risk management and product safety, green chemistry, advertising and privacy issues, and has extensive experience on matters involving the sale and marketing of children’s products. She is a frequent speaker on consumer protection legal issues and is the Editor of the Keller and Heckman LLP Consumer Protection Connection blog.

The F15 Committee of ASTM oversees the development of safety and performance standards (specifications, guides, test methods, classifications, practices, and terminology) for consumer products. Subcommittee F15.24 focuses on jewelry, and the Subcommittee has issued standards for both children’s and adult jewelry.  Both standards were updated in 2014. 

ASTM International is a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards. ASTM standards are used around the world to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and build consumer confidence. Over 30,000 of the world’s top technical experts, business professionals and other stakeholders contribute to the development of the standards. Using ASTM’s advanced electronic infrastructure, ASTM members deliver the test methods, specifications, guides and practices that industries and governments around the globe follow.