ICPHSO 2019 Recap
BUREAU VERITAS OBSERVATIONS OF THE KEY TRENDS DISCUSSED AT ICPHSO AND OUR RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS
ICPHSO’s Annual Product Safety Symposium took place in Washington, DC in February, with a record number of attendees. The Bureau Veritas team in attendance reported the following observations on the following current and future trends. We then share our recommendations for next steps for you to consider.
CPSC
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is for the first time, in a long time, at full strength. The commissioners seem to be very engaged and eager to push a forward thinking agenda. If you haven’t already, be sure to read the CPSC 2019 Operating Plan to glean some insights into their future priorities
• CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle, and Commissioners Dana Baiocco and Robert Adler, covered a range of topics including key priorities (current and future) for the CPSC.
• They talked about the future with regards to the internet, smart products, smart technologies and emerging technologies
• Commissioner Elliott Kaye’s “A Framework of Safety for the Internet of Things” was discussed.
• Recall effectiveness was discussed, including the newly released CSPC Recall App, and the updated regulatory robot
• Other upcoming action items were discussed including window coverings and furniture tip overs
CLOTHING STORAGE UNITS
In November 2017, the CPSC issued an ANPR (Advance notice of proposed rulemaking) to initiate the rulemaking process and address the risks of death and injury associated with clothing storage units tipping over. The CPSC staff was challenged to double their efforts to settle the tip over hazards.
Acting Chairman Buerkle indicated that a letter was sent to manufactures, importers, distributors and retailers urging them to review their product lines to ensure the products they are importing and selling comply with the ASTM 2057-17 standard. Acting Chairman Buerkle also sent a letter to Rick Rosati, the ASTM F15.42 subcommittee chair on Clothing Storage Units urging the committee to move forward quickly with changes to the existing standard that would lower the exemption height in the standard from 30 inches to 27 inches as well as increase the stability testing weight from 50 pounds to 60 pounds.
Recommendation
Bureau Veritas offers testing to evaluate safety, durability, and structural adequacy for furniture. This can include testing to applicable regulations, industry standards and internal methodology, including testing to ASTM F2057-17, a voluntary stability standard for clothing storage units.
E-COMMERCE
E-Commerce is difficult to enforce against, especially related to marketplaces and platforms. The CPSC recognizes that this represents a major consumer safety risk and is discussing better ways to monitor and enforce (especially as it relates to existing requirements and counterfeit products) including building a stronger partnership with Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
Recommendation
Bureau Veritas E-Commerce Solutions help eCommerce sellers (including platforms and marketplaces) and suppliers to develop, sell and deliver successful products from initial concept to final destination. Our services have three goals: verifying compliance, safeguarding reputation, and boosting performance.
COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS
The International Federation of Inspection Agencies (IFIA) made a presentation on counterfeit products.
Counterfeit products (especially related to online sales) are seen as a significant public safety risk. The CPSC is very concerned about the safety aspects of counterfeit products since most do not meet any safety requirements. CPSC is working closely with CBP to help identify products at the ports and crackdown on the platforms/marketplaces that are enabling these products to enter the country. In addition, the CPSC is considering working with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to possible push platforms/marketplaces onto the Notorious Markets List.
Recommendation
Bureau Veritas has developed an anti-counterfeiting service, which includes product traceability technology.
INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT) / EMERGING TECHNOLOGY / CYBER-SAFETY
The Internet of Things topic was widely discussed during ICPHSO.
• The panel’s opinion is that IoT devices can enhance safety (smoke alarms, remote monitoring, etc.)
• There are also several risks with IoT devices, such as Data Privacy, Cyber-Safety, Cyber-Security, etc.
• The FTC discussed several fines that have been applied against companies with insufficient controls
• Informative discussions on IoT devices and focus was on security, examples of recalls or enforcement actions, primary security concerns, future privacy and technology concerns and the related challenges
Recommendation
Bureau Veritas has developed test protocols that address data privacy, cyber-safety and inter-operability. Our services also include testing applications and products for cyber-vulnerability and basic security requirements. Learn more about our services for Smart Products.
TRACEABILITY
There was a very interesting discussion around product traceability and blockchain technologies. The consensus was that these technologies could be very useful, especially for country of origin and material verification. However, at this point in time the adoption of these technologies seems to be very early stage.
Recommendation
Bureau Veritas has partnered with leading Blockchain and Traceability technology providers – Origin and Oritain. A demonstration of these technologies is available upon request.
Questions? Contact Us
For more information on any of the above topics, or ICPHSO in general, please contact us at info@us.bureauveritas.com