Every day, new products are manufactured and sold across borders and online. Increased trade and more sophisticated designs can make it difficult to ensure that the products consumers buy are safe for them.
To help, the OECD is hosting the GlobalRecalls portal, which is the first online tool that contains regularly updated information on consumer product recalls issued by jurisdictions around the world. Now, users can find out about product issues in other jurisdictions presented in their own language.
You can also follow the launch on Twitter using #IPSW2012 and @OECDinnovation, and follow the OECD on Facebook.
The GlobalRecalls portal was developed by the OECD Working Party on Consumer Product Safety, which was established in 2010 in response to a number of high-profile recalls issued worldwide that had focused attention on safety problems and their global nature. The main goal of the working party is to enhance information-sharing on unsafe products, using the OECD as a platform for these activities.
Further information:
Flyer on the Working Party on Consumer Product Safety
Press release announcing the creation of the Working Party (July 2010)
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 the 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.
In the light of this, the GlobalRecalls portal was designed to provide information on unsafe products from around the world. Currently, refinement work is being carried out and further jurisdictions are encouraged to join the initiative.
In 2011, the Working Party also developed an inventory which provides a repository of national and international initiatives on consumer product safety. The platform is password protected and is open to Working Party members as well as interested stakeholders.
Recent events
Official launch of the OECD global portal on product recalls 19 October 2012, Brussels, Belgium
Every day, new products are manufactured and sold across borders and online. Increased trade and more sophisticated designs can make it difficult to ensure that the products consumers buy are safe for them.
To help, the OECD is hosting the GlobalRecalls portal, which is the first online tool that contains regularly updated information on consumer product recalls issued by jurisdictions around the world. Now, users can find out about product issues in other jurisdictions presented in their own language. The portal was launched at the International Product Safety Week on 19 October 2012. Webcast | Press release
Workshop on product risk assessment 20 April 2012, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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