THE EUROPEAN GENERAL PRODUCT SAFETY NETWORK Erik Hansson DG Health and Consumer Protection European Commission

BACKGROUND DIRECTIVE 2001/95/EC ON GENERAL PRODUCT SAFETY Article The Commission shall promote and take part in the operation in a European network of the authorities of the Member States competent for product safety, in particular in the form of administrative cooperation.

OBJECTIVES DIRECTIVE 2001/95/EC ON GENERAL PRODUCT SAFETY Article This network operation shall develop in a coordinated manner with the other existing Community procedures, particularly RAPEX. Its objective shall be, in particular, to facilitate: (a) the exchange of information on risk assessment, dangerous products, test methods and results, recent scientific developments as well as other aspects relevant for control activities; (b) the establishment and execution of joint surveillance and testing projects; (c) the exchange of expertise and best practices and cooperation in training activities; (d) improved cooperation at Community level with regard to the tracing, withdrawal and recall of dangerous products.

SCOPE Applies in principle for all consumer products - unless similar provisions in sectoral legislation (GPSD art 1 p. 2 – see borderline document on SANCO web) Network mechanisms (ADCO etc) in most cases exist for sectors Specific GPSD network established Co-ordination and co-operation with sectors

STRUCTURE

Financial contributions to joint surveillance and enforcement actions in the area of consumer product safety (1) Objective Improve administrative and enforcement co- operation on Community consumer protection legislation, including GPSD. Beneficiaries Public or non-profit-making bodies to which MS have attributed responsibilities and tasks in the area of market surveillance and enforcement of GPSD. Must be designated by the MS or the competent authority concerned and agreed by the Commission. Includes EFTA/EEA.

Activities Joint surveillance and enforcement actions in the area of consumer product safety. Involving five or more MS. In particular: risk assessment, product testing, market monitoring, collection and exchange of information on product risks and dangerous products. Costs Up to 50% of eligible costs. 70% in certain cases. Financial contributions to joint surveillance and enforcement actions in the area of consumer product safety (2)

ACTIVITIES 2003 Agreement on priorities Preparations Planning

ACTIVITIES 2004 (1) Joint surveillance projects Baby beds Co-ordinator: Denmark Participation: 8 MS Candles/Candle holders Co-ordination: United Kingdom Participation: 10 MS + 2 EFTA Children high chairs Co-ordination: France Participation: 7 MS Safety barriers for children Co-ordination: Germany Participation 3 MS Active participation from 21 MS + 2 EFTA/EEA countries

ACTIVITIES 2004 (2) Feasibility study on the interconnection of market surveillance databases launched Launch of joint actions with Community funding ICSMS 2 presented by Germany Five participating MS EU financial contribution (70%) SUSY SAFE presented by Italy Five participating MS EU financial contribution ,88 (50%).

ACTIVITIES 2004 (3) Comparative inventory Objective: to promote consistent risk assessment by authorities How? Comparative inventory and evaluation of approaches, methods and practices Identify best practices Recommendations

ACTIVITIES 2005 Joint surveillance projects Call for joint actions with Community co- funding IT-structures for co-operation Guidelines and procedures for recalls Training programme for inspectors Inventory of testing capacity in MS Development of testing co-operation Information visits in MS

EXPERIENCES Joint surveillance projects useful EU financial contribution to joint actions Resources and support on national level Informal dimension Staged approach