During the #CASP2024 closing event in Brussels on June 25th, we celebrated the many unsung heroes that keep a careful eye out for European consumers, making sure that only safe products reach the single market.
I was impressed by the hard an diligent work performed by the Market Surveillance Authorities and the DG-JUST Product Safety Team of the European Commission:
- The Grand Total of 656 products tested; including baby soothers, high chairs, lighting chains, electric heaters, e-cigarettes, bicycles and slime toys
- No less than 387 corrective measures taken during the CASP2024 program
While enforcing the General Product Safety Regulation, market surveillance authorities are identifying unsafe products and mitigation risks.
However, when specific European standards are not available, safety assessment must rely on alternative methods, e.g. refer to standards for similar or related products.
I had the privilege of moderating a panel discussion on the use of standards by analogy, picking the brains of
- Marie Gérardy, Legal and Policy Officer at DG-JUST at the European Commission
- Igor Gallo, representing Camera di commercia di Torino
- Tania Vandenberghe, Senior Program Manager at ANEC, the European voice in standardization
During our round table discussion, we explored the main outcomes of this Horizontal Activity on standardisation in the CASP2024 program:
- A longlist of products currently not covered by any European standard
- A handbook on the use of standards by analogy
- A compilation of ten tangible case studies
There’s much more than meets the eye, and a lot of efforts by these noble professionals are taking place below the waterline… So I for one am wholeheartedly convinced it is justified – if not required – that we grant those silent shepherds of European Product Safety a strong and clear voice!
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