ISO 10377:2013-04

As the recent problems with tainted food, drugs, toys and other consumer products have made clear, more needs to be done to protect consumers. The new standard ISO 10377 provides universally applicable guidance and practical tools to identify, assess, eliminate or reduce potential safety risks before the products enter the market.

About ISO 10377 

The use of ISO 10377 is designed to

• decrease injuries and increase consumer confidence,
• provide a benchmark for accessing international markets,
• supplement existing regulations,
• offer a systems approach to product safety,
• level the playing field,
• educate suppliers,
• reduce costly product recalls and more.

Background

The standard was created by ISO Project Committee 243, chaired by Dr Elizabeth Nielsen (SCC – Canada). ISO/PC 243 was established following an initiative from the working group of the ISO Committee on consumer policy (ISO/COPOLCO) which aims to reduce risks related to consumer products.

“Such a standard is needed because regulatory authorities and standards writing bodies cannot keep up with the rapid pace of global change in product design, materials and manufacturing processes and thereby ensure that appropriate safety requirements are met.
Governments that adopt or reference the standard in their regulation will be in a better position to define which products it should apply to, depending on each country’s situation and existing regulation.”

Elizabeth Nielsen, Chair of ISO/PC 243