Safety in the making: Australian product safety for the year 2020

Abstract

Abstract This paper is a summary of a report prepared by the author for the Australian Consumers Council that advises the Australian Minister for Consumer Affairs. The purpose is to consider the state of play in product safety management around the world and to suggest a strategy which Australia might implement considering international developments. The inter-nationalisation of product safety matters, the creation of global markets and the harmonisation of standards are key factors which must be taken into account when developing a product safety management system. A small country like Australia will need to develop effective ways of interacting with the researchers and policy makers of the world to avoid duplication of effort and to contribute to international standards and policies. In the short term the following key recommendations are made: • the establishment of a Consumer Safety Institute with a research and development role but no enforcement role, • a review of the technical merit, currency, coverage and mechanisms for development of standards relating to product safety, • routine reporting of product safety complaints and actions taken by manufacturers, • the development of efficient mechanisms for assessing the safety of imports into Australia and • an active strategy for managing and participating in international responsibilities related to product safety.