What is PAS 7100 - Consumer product safety recalls about?
PAS 7100 provides practical guidance on a good practice way to execute a consumer product safety recall. PAS 7100 on consumer product safety recalls consist of two parts: Part I for businesses and Part II for regulators. The PAS is UK-centric, meaning it’s written with UK frameworks in mind, but it can still be useful outside the UK context.
Who is PAS 7100 - Consumer product safety recalls for?
PAS 7100 on consumer product safety recalls applies to recalls of all non-food consumer products placed on the market in the UK other than those for which existing corrective action and recall processes are in place (e.g. automotive, pharmaceuticals, food).
Therefore it is for any business which may conceivably conduct such a consumer product recall. Under UK legislation this covers the product’s supply chain, including:
- Manufacturers
- Importers
- Distributors
The content could also be relevant for business-to-business supply.
Part II is for all those having regulatory responsibility for non-food consumer product safety i.e. from policy through to enforcement, particularly Market Surveillance Authorities.
Why should you use PAS 7100 - Consumer product safety recalls?
The vast majority of products are safe and most businesses will experience a product recall rarely or never. However, if the need arises, businesses with a statutory responsibility should be prepared. This code intends to make it easier for them to deal with such a situation.
Part I sets out a code of practice for businesses and provides practical guidance to help them:
- Prepare to manage a possible safety-related product recall or other corrective action
- Establish mechanisms to monitor the safety of products
- Investigate any potential product safety issue
- Establish mechanisms to deal with any product safety issue identified
- Review corrective action programs to ensure that product safety responsibilities continue to be met
NOTE: PAS 7100 assumes that businesses placing products on the market will have already addressed their responsibility to supply only safe products therefore guidance on this is not provided.
PAS 7100 is not intended to conflict with existing sector-specific schemes (e.g. automotive) which should be referred to in respect of the product categories covered.
Part II covers how regulators can better:
- Monitor incidents and analyze data
- Support businesses in the preparation of their Corrective Action Plans (CAP)
- Support businesses in their monitoring of incidents and their selection and implementation of appropriate corrective action
- Respond proportionately where businesses fail to take appropriate and effective corrective action
NOTE: PAS 7100 on consumer product safety recalls is available to SMEs to download free of charge
