Government of Canada Celebrates Consumer Product Safety Achievements

Consumers reminded to report concerns with consumer products to companies or Health Canada

OTTAWA, June 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, on behalf of the Minister of Health, Rona Ambrose, Parliamentary Secretary Cathy McLeod marked the fourth anniversary of the coming into force of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) by highlighting some of the Government's achievements in protecting Canadians from consumer products that pose a danger to human health or safety.

The CCPSA has given the Government of Canada strong, modern legislative powers to take action to address product safety issues, such as the ability to recall dangerous products from the marketplace. Most consumer products must comply with the CCPSA and associated regulations. The CCPSA also heightens industry's responsibility regarding the safety of the products they sell in Canada, by imposing a general prohibition against the sale of products that pose a danger to human health or safety. While most Canadian companies act responsibly, the Act allows the Government to deal more effectively with companies that withhold safety information or sell products that pose a danger to human health or safety.

Under the CCPSA, industry is required to inform Health Canada when they learn about an incident involving their product, or if they know there is a recall of their product in another country. Consumers are strongly encouraged to report health or safety concerns to companies, or to Health Canada. The department can use the information from industry and consumers to take appropriate action to address consumer product safety issues.  

Over the past four years, since the coming into force of the CCPSA, the Government has:

• Used the powers under the Act to order the removal of novelty magnet sets from the marketplace. These sets, marketed to adults, contain small, powerful magnets that can be easily swallowed or inhaled by children. This led to the first-ever mandatory recall of a consumer product: NeoMagnetic Gadgets Inc. was ordered to issue a recall and stop sale after the company failed to take voluntary action to remove their novelty magnet sets from the marketplace.
• Finalized the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Consumer Products) Regulations, which include fines of up to $25,000 per day for companies who violate orders under the CCPSA.
• Finalized the Exemptions Regulations to ensure that charitable organizations and retailers that sell second-hand consumer products obtained by donation are exempt from certain CCPSA record keeping requirements, except when the donation is from a business.
• Cooperated internationally to issue the first tri-national joint product recall with the United States and Mexico of eight Graco stroller models.
• Improved its ability to track product safety issues and trends and to communicate important safety information to Canadians.

Quick Facts

• The CCPSA came into force on June 20, 2011, replacing Part I and Schedule I of the 40-year old Hazardous Products Act.
• All consumer products sold in Canada must comply with the CCPSA and associated regulations.
• Health Canada regularly conducts inspections to have unsafe products removed from the Canadian marketplace.
• Canadians can sign up for recalls and safety alerts to keep themselves informed.
• The Government of Canada works with international partners to coordinate consumer awareness initiatives related to topics such as toy safety, corded window coverings, small powerful magnets, button batteries and liquid laundry detergent packets.

Quotes

"Canadians need to have confidence in the safety of the products they buy for their families. The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act provides our Government with the tools to protect Canadians when risks are identified. The actions taken under this bill have kept our families safe from dangerous products, and will continue to make a real difference for years to come."
Cathy McLeod
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health

"We all have a role to play in making sure Canadians are protected from unsafe consumer products. Children are particularly vulnerable to product-related injuries because of their size, their developmental abilities and because they often use a product in ways outside of its intended use. We are proud that the CCPSA has strengthened consumer product safety in Canada."
Louise Logan, President and Chief Executive Officer
Parachute Canada

"The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act has been an effective tool in helping government and industry work together to build upon our strong record and to continue to partner effectively to address risks and ensure safe, quality products for Canadian consumers."
Diane J. Brisebois
President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada.

Associated Links
Health Canada's Consumer Product Safety
Is your Child Safe?
Consumer Product Safety Act
Consumer Product Safety Program Risk Assessment Framework – provides clarity and transparency on the risk assessment process
Health Canada Consumer Product Safety Reports Received– provides useful statistics on reports related to different types of consumer products and cosmetics.
Consumer Product Enforcement Summary Report

SOURCE Health Canada

Image with caption: "Today, on behalf of the Minister of Health, Rona Ambrose, Parliamentary Secretary Cathy McLeod marked the fourth anniversary of the coming into force of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) by highlighting some of the Government’s achievements in protecting Canadians from consumer products that pose a danger to human health and safety. (CNW Group/Health Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150619_C8771_PHOTO_EN_18264.jpg

Michael Bolkenius, Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Federal Minister of Health, [phone]; Health Canada, Media Relations, [phone]; Public Inquiries: [phone], 1-866 225-0709; Health Canada news releases are available on the Internet at: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/media