The challenge of sharing information Obstacles and co-operation mechanisms in the field of product safety

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The challenge of sharing informationObstacles
and co-operation mechanisms in the field of
product safety

• Peter Avery
• Head of the Consumer Policy Unit
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
  Development
• (Peter.Avery_at_oecd.org)
• WTO, 9 November 2011, Geneva

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OECD work on product safety

• Background
• Summer of recalls -- 2007
• Work stream launched -- 2008
• Working Party on Consumer Product Safety
  established 2010
• Promote information exchange
• Support research on product safety issues
• Monitor and assess policy and regulatory
  developments
• Promote co-operation with non-members
• Promote harmonisation of product safety
  requirements and information collection

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OECD work on product safety

• Work programme
• Short term
• Pool information on recalls and emergency alerts
• Mechanisms to co-ordinate initiatives more
  effectively
• Support regional and global fora i) increase
  understanding of differences among jurisdictions
  ii) promote harmonisation of standards iii) flag
  emerging issues
• Medium term
• Web access to studies of hazards
• Web access to updates on regulatory activities
• Directory of safety experts
• Longer term
• Injury data
• Pooled information on product hazards
• Confidentiality protocol
• Co-operation on traceability

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OECD work on product safety

• Opportunities, challenges and obstacles
• Opportunities
• Governments more open to sharing information
• Strong interest of non-members
• Cost effectiveness
• Principal challenges and obstacles
• Avoiding duplication
• Cost and technical challenges of developing web
  platforms
• Agreed taxonomies
• Language
• Maintaining vitality and relevance of platforms
• Mechanisms to engage non-members
• Funding

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For further information on the OECD work on
consumer product safety, please contact
Ewelina.Marek_at_oecd.orgwww.oecd.org/sti/consumer-
policy/productsafety