Transcript Slide 1
The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act Athana Mentzelopoulos ICPHSO's 17th Annual Meeting and Training Symposium February 22, 2011 Background • The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) became law on December 15, 2010 • Replaces older, less flexible legislation • Involved extensive consultations • Comes “into force” on June 20, 2011 2 Legislation Overview Transfer of Provisions from the Health Protection Act (HPA) • Seamless transfer – 31 prohibited items – 36 Restricted items 3 Legislation Overview (cont.) • Just one component from a broader basket • The guiding principle • Covers a wide variety of consumer products 4 Roles Consumers Common Goal Product Safety Government Industry 5 Role of Industry • General prohibition • Maintain records • Report adverse incidents, dangerous defects and/or known recalls • Provide or obtain proof of product safety if required to do so 6 Role of Consumers • Common sense and informed choices • Intended use • Report unsafe products, defects, and adverse health consequences 7 Role of Government • Administer, interpret, and apply • Provide information and guidance • Inspections and investigations • Corrective measures • Enforcement 8 Product Safety is Good for Business • Unsafe product(s) are bad for consumers AND business • Greater clarity and certainty • Consistency and compatibility • Better competitive situation 9 Current Status • Further collaboration and education • Working closely with industry • New requirements and provisions are not expected to be burdensome • Significant penalties have been introduced for serious offences for deterrence value 10 Implementation Plans • Guidance for industry – Mandatory reporting – Record keeping • Consultations • Training – Program officers – Inspectors and Investigators • Regulation under development – Administrative monetary penalties – Exemptions 11 Next steps • Mandatory reporting • Record keeping • Extensive education/outreach • Compliance focus 12 Conclusion • Canadians will be better served • Trading partners • In everyone’s best interest 13 Thank You!