2007-03-28

Call for Interest: Proposal for a guidance standard and practical guide for suppliers on consumer product safety

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is seeking feedback on the development of a new international guidance standard for consumer product safety, put forth by the International Organization for Standardization Committee on consumer policy (COPOLCO).  The proposed work item would provide practical guidance to all parties in the supply chain on how to carry out a systematic safety analysis of a product through its entire lifecycle—from design and manufacture through end-use and disposal.

Existing regulations and standards governing consumer product safety may not provide adequate consumer protection; often, they specify only a minimum set of requirements to address known products and associated hazards. The proposed standard would establish universally applicable guidance for safety across all consumer product types.

Scope of the proposed work:

• Identify the information and data that needs to be considered to identify potential risks;
• Outline steps to follow when assessing risks and associated hazards, including evaluating the probability, severity and consequences of exposure; and
• Define means of determining, documenting and implementing the best approach to negating or limiting harm.

For more information or to submit comments, contact Lynne Gibbens, Senior Program Officer ISO, via email ([email protected]) or by telephone (613) 238 3222 ext. 452. 

The deadline for comments is May 15, 2007.

The SCC is a Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective voluntary standardization.  For more information on its programs, visit www.scc-ccn.ca or email [email protected].