A number of high-profile recalls worldwide has focused attention on safety problems and their global nature.
The OECD's Committee on Consumer Policy reacted quickly, bringing key players to the table to explore the scope of the problem and ways to address concerns.
It concluded that more openness in sharing information on unsafe products is needed and that the OECD is a good forum for advancing this work. In response, the OECD has recently created a Working Party on Consumer Product Safety.
Report on enhancing product safety information sharing.
Main objectives of the Working Party on Consumer Product Safety
Enhanced information-sharing mechanisms between and within countries are crucial. The OECD’s Committee on Consumer Policy created recently a Working Party on Consumer Product Safety with the aim to promote:
exchange of information on problem products and injuries from products within and between economies.
development of methods for monitoring and assessing developments in consumer product safety, including developments in policy and enforcement.
co-operation between members and non-members on product safety issues of mutual interest.
Background
Product safety issues have been at the heart of OECD work for decades. Since the 1970s, the OECD’s Committee on Consumer Policy has developed a number of policy instruments with the common goal of improving product safety.
However, the rapidly changing market landscape with the new era of globalisation, Internet solutions, more sophisticated products and ever complex supply chains calls for more responsive actions from consumer policy makers and enforcement authorities. To enhance consumer safety worldwide, a roundtable was organised in October 2008, gathering experts from key OECD members and non-members.
Example of an unsafe product (choking hazard)
At the 2008 roundtable, countries committed to increase product safety information-sharing across borders. They conducted an analytic review of the existing information-sharing mechanisms, identifying gaps and ways for more effective co-operation. The outcomes of this work are available in a report on enhancing information-sharing on consumer product safety and a ten-point action plan.
It was agreed that the implementation of these ambitious recommendations and enhanced co-operation would be possible under a new OECD Working Party on Consumer Product Safety. The involvement of non-OECD economies in this process is welcome. Read more in the press release.
Next steps in 2010-12
The Working Party will take a lead in the implementation of the ten-point action plan.
In the light of this, experts are making progress in designing a web-based recalls database, which may be operational in 2012. The portal is being tailiored to meet the needs of product safety agencies, but it will also be open to the public.
Work is also advancing on a second objective, which involves the development of a mechanism through which countries will be able to regularly inform each other of major policy developments.
Upcoming event
Workshop on product risk assessment in Tel-Aviv, Israel
On 20 April 2012, the OECD Working Party on Consumer Product Safety will hold a workshop on risk assessment in Tel-Aviv, Israel. The event will provide an opportunity to present and discuss the different approaches that are being used, and to apply those approaches to assess product risks. Please feel free to contact Ewelina Marek of the OECD secretariat for further information at ewelina.marek@oecd.org.
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