A standard can be understood as a harmonised way of doing something. It usually contains a set of indications that aim to increase reliability and effectiveness.At the beginning of 2022, the UK National Standards bodies published new standards to support certain regulations to place safer products on the UK market. Specifically, the UK bodies developed a new standard (PAS 7050:2022) and reviewed an existing one (PAS 7100:2022). The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), and BSI (UK National Standard Body) have been working together with consumers and businesses to support and develop these codes of practice.[/vc_column_text]
Bringing safe products to the market
The new standard PAS 7050:2022 supports companies and regulators in complying with their obligations. On one hand, it helps businesses to fulfil their legal obligations, assuring that the products placed on the market are safe. On the other hand, it provides regulators with additional tools to support them in their role of assuring compliance. The standard contains recommendations, guidelines, and examples of good practices, with a particular focus on the preparation of a Product Safety Management Plan (PSMP).\
Focused on processes, procedures, roles, and responsibilities, this standard presents two parts:
- Part I of the standard addresses internal systems and supply chains. It gives manufacturers, businesses, importers, and distributors recommendations on how to deliver safe products. It is not only for new products, but it applies also to second-hand consumer products, as well as to components, ingredients, and raw materials. However, it covers mainly general products rather than products under the scope of specific regulations like medical devices.
- Part II of the standard focuses on regulatory compliance. It provides regulators with a guideline on how to support manufacturers or businesses in developing a reliable PSMP.
Product recall and other corrective actions
On the same line as the previous one, standard PAS 7100:2022 assists companies in preparing and managing product recalls or other corrective actions. Particularly, it focuses on developing a Product Safety Incident Plan (PSIP), which is part of the PSMP. Its revision focused mainly on the changes that Brexit brought out for the UK market.
The main difference with PAS 7050, the previous standard, is that PAS 7100 relates to processes, roles, and responsibilities associated with corrective actions. Same as the previous standard, it is divided into two parts: the first one created for businesses and the second one for regulators. The goal is to help manufacturers implement the PSIP.
Moreover, this code of practice provides businesses with a practical guidance to establish mechanisms to monitor product safety, investigate safety issues, and review corrective action programmes to ensure that they meet safety requirements. In other words, these PASs created to ensure the compliance of the products with the safety legislation will also promote trade and consumer confidence.
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Camila Pandiani
Regulatory Affairs Department
12.05.2022
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References:
BSI. (2022). New standards support businesses and regulators to place safe products on the UK market. Retrieved on 12/05/2022 from: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/about-bsi/media-centre/press-releases/2022/march/new-standards-support-businesses-and-regulators-to–place-safe-products-on-the-uk-market/