CPSC Announces U.S.-China Consumer Product Safety Summit
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted information on participating in the third biennial U.S.-China Consumer Product Safety Summit to take place October 21-26, 2009 in China.
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The summit involves CPSC, its counterpart agency in China (the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine, (AQSIQ)), and interested stakeholders.
(The last summit between CPSC and AQSIQ took place in 2007 and focused on ensuring that manufacturers understood the necessity of meeting both voluntary standards and U.S. requirements (particularly ending the use of leaded paint on toys), information exchanges on recalls and other pressing product safety matters, and training Chinese government officials and manufacturers on new CPSC requirements.)
Stakeholders May Accompany CPSC Delegation, Attend Public Sessions
Stakeholders selected by CPSC may accompany the CPSC delegation or participate in the parts of the summit open to the general public, including:
Panel discussions/audience interactive sessions
Site visits
Other activities as announced
2009 Summit to Discuss Comprehensive, Systematic Approach to Product Safety
The goal of the 2009 Summit is to bring the dialogue to a new level, emphasizing the need for commitment to a more comprehensive approach to product safety.
With input from U.S. and Chinese stakeholders, CPSC and AQSIQ will identify and discuss measures to ensure that U.S. importers and Chinese suppliers establish a comprehensive and systemic approach to preventing and detecting safety hazards in consumer products, from product design, through manufacturing, and to the ultimate use of the product by the consumer.
Toward that end, the Summit agenda will include an examination of lessons learned over the past two years, as well as a discussion of new regulatory and voluntary tools that can be used to ensure continued progress.
Specific Topics to Include Toy Safety, Lead, ATVs, Lighters, Fireworks
In addition to overarching policy discussions, the Summit agenda will include discussions of specific product safety issues. According to CPSC, toys, lead in children's products, all terrain vehicles, lighters, and fireworks are all product areas where systemic progress may be made.
(CPSC press release available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/chinasummit.aspx)