PSX features the following session types:

• Express Sessions - These sessions are 45 minutes (30-minute presentation and 15-minute Q&A) designed to deliver bitesize, timely, and targeted learning on a specific topic. They are designed to be short and interactive. Case studies or brief research presentations are recommended for this session type. Maximum of two speakers and one moderator.
• Education Sessions - These sessions are 60 minutes (45-minute presentation and 15-minute Q&A) that provide practical real-world content on a current or emerging issue. We strongly encourage interactivity and audience engagement for this session type. Maximum of three presenters and one moderator.
• Workshops - These half or full-day sessions emphasize open discussion and the exchange of ideas between participants focusing on practical methods, skills, and principles. Content should focus on tangible solutions that participants can readily apply to improve work practices. Maximum of four instructors for half-day workshops and six instructors for full-day workshops.

Posing questions and including activities in your session can make an enormous difference in your audience's ability to learn. Involving your audience helps the ideas and thoughts you present be more memorable and make attendees feel like they are part of the conversation. We encourage you to include one (or more) of these suggestions into your presentation:

• Incorporate a live poll into your slide deck to get audience feedback, help guide your presentation, or as a quiz tool
• Use a couple of your slides as quick quizzes and ask the audience to answer or fill in the blanks within your slide
• Perform a demo and have an audience member participate in it
• Divide your audience into small groups to discuss the topic among themselves and share their discussion with the larger group afterward
• Ask your audience to share their experience about the topic
• Place Q&A opportunities in the middle of the presentation to keep the audience engaged and participatory. Even if you don't answer the questions right away, the unexpected invitation to ask a question can act as a trigger to encourage audience members to speak up.

View the videos and links below for tips on creating a successful proposal submission directly from members of PSS's Conference Program Committee and Education Committee.

What makes a great PSX proposal?

What makes for a great PSX presentation?

What tips do you have for a great PSX proposal?

Additional Resources

Tips for Writing a Great Speaking Proposal (blog post)

Product Stewardship Program Management

• Data Governance & Quality Assurance
• Finance
• Incident Response & Crisis Management
• Program Management/Management Systems
• PSRA Management Systems/Audits
• Talent Management
• Issue and Crisis Management
• Information Management

Product Stewardship Competencies

• Safety Data Sheets and Label Authoring
• Toxicology
• Testing
• Certifications
• Hazard Assessment
• Exposure Assessment
• Environmental Chemistry/Fate and Ecotoxicology
• Manufacturing and Engineering Principles
• Product Safety
• Professional & Interpersonal Skills

Business Value

• Understanding the Business and Its Strategies
• Measuring and Communicating Product Stewardship Performance
• Finding Business Opportunities or Competitive Differentiators
• Emerging Issues Tracking and Communication
• Advocacy & Product Defense
• Leadership Commitment and Accountability
• Litigation and Expert Witness
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Integration with the Organization

Communication & Training

• Business Communication
• Communication Management
• Customer Communications
• Hazard Communication
• Knowledge Management
• Change Management
• Training
• Value Chain/Supply Chain Communications & Challenges

Emerging Technology

• Artificial Intelligence
• Blockchain
• Digitalization
• Internet of Things
• Big Data

Sustainability

• Circular Economy
• Extended Producer Responsibility
• Packaging Innovations
• UN Chemical Framework
• EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability
• Essential Use Concept
• Digital Product Passports
• Life Cycle Analysis and Carbon Footprints
• Product Design Assessment
• Chemicals
• Consumable
• General
• Product
• Retailer Chemical Policies
• Microplastics
• Climate change
• ESG
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Life Cycle Impact Assessment / Life Cycle Assessment
• Cumulative Risk Assessment / Cumulative Impact Assessment
• Environmental Justice
• Standards or Methodology (e.g., GRI, TCFD, API, ISO…)
• Reporting (e.g., CFRD, SEC, CA, Materiality)
• Supply Chain

Product Regulations

• Advanced & Nano Materials (including nanotechnology and nanoparticles)
• Banned/Restricted Substances (Chemicals of Concern List)
• Consumer Product Regulations
• Articles Regulations - EU ECHA SCIP Database
• Emerging Articles Regulations - General
• Emerging Global Regulatory Issues - General
• Global Regulatory Issues - PFAS
• Emerging Substances of Interest - Tracking Academic/Social Media/Media
• Medical Device Regulations
• Food and Food Contact Regulation and Safety
• Pharmaceutical Regulation
• Children’s Product Regulation
• Pesticides and Biocidal Product Regulations
• Dangerous Goods Transportation Regulations
• Sector or Use Specific Product Regulations
• Ingredient Reporting and Transparency
• REACH
• US State Regulations
• GHS
• TSCA
• National Regulatory Chemical Management Schemes (other than REACH and TSCA)
• Cosmetic and Personal Care Product Regulations
• Electronic Regulations (e.g., RoHS, SEEP/WEEE)

New Product Development and Innovation

• Predictive Tools
• Regrettable Substitution
• Stage-Gate Decision Making
• Safe Product Designs
• Design for Recyclability, Repairability, and Reuse
• Green Chemistry

Risk Assessment

• Alternatives Assessments
• Chemical Risk Assessments – EPA
• Chemical Risk Assessments – EU
• Chemical Risk Assessments – General
• Chemical Risk Assessments – Prop65 and safe harbor levels
• Hazard Assessment
• Exposure Assessment

1. Chemicals
2. Building Materials
3. Automotive
4. Consulting
5. Food/Food Contact

1. Global Chemical Regulations
2. Regulations and Compliance
3. Product Risk Assessment
4. Product Stewardship Program Development
5. Chemical Life Cycle Analysis
6. Banned/Restricted Substances Regulations
7. Key Product Stewardship Concepts
8. Hazard Communication
9. Environmental Fate and Ecotoxicology
10. Supply Chain Management
11. Exposure Assessment and Modeling
12. Leadership Commitment and Accountability