ICPHSO Meeting “Building the future” Josep Tous Orlando, February 2011

As former General Director in Consumer Affairs in Catalonia ( ) Main shortcomings: Authorities cannot solve all problems Budget and number of officials are limited The priority of politics is different from “what we should do” Need to accept prior decisions taken by responsible persons on strategies and resources Difficult to work as a “team” of authorities – associations – companies – consumers Penalties do not change all companies’ way of working

from 2004 from 2004 We work in all fields related to consumer affairs: Unfair practices, labeling, publicity, … Building progress indicators Draw maps for consumer authorities,… …… Product safety ◦ Administrations (international, national, regional and local) ◦ Business associations ◦ Companies

The Product Safety “Circle” Data & Knowledge Market surveillance Final results Reality Anticipation Efficiency Recalls, Withdrawals, Redesign

Facing existing weaknesses Three projects: 1. Preparing future experts: ◦ European Master in Consumer Affairs, financed by the European Commission 2. Creating a database for the collection of injury information ◦ PIPADI project 3. Developing an online training program: ◦ In collaboration with the OAS we establish the basis for the future network on Consumer safety and health

1.- European Master in Consumer Affairs (EMCA) Director of the European Master in Consumer Affairs First edition was led and financed by the EC ◦ The EC shows great interest on both consumers and stakeholders in this field ◦ By ensuring consumer affairs it improves the proper functioning of the internal market and the rights of our citizens as consumers The Master program consists of 500h teaching; 200 hours on product safety This Master is a multidisciplinary program teaching both European laws and economics as well as business practices

2.- PIPADI Proyecto Integral de Prevención de Accidentes Domésticos Involuntarios Integral Project on the Prevention of Involuntary Domestic Accidents Inspired by: ◦ Codification: the European Injury Database “IDB” ◦ Procedure: the Canadian project “CHIRRP” ◦ Goal: the US “NEISS” system In 2010: Creating a consortium with administrations, companies and business associations Mid of 2010: Creation of the PIPADI Database End of 2010: Start of the pilot phase ◦ Contacts with 8 hospitals; 3 of them report regularly and follow the required specifications ◦ 300 incidents reported insofar and ◦ Participation of 3 more hospitals expected

3.- OAS : Online Training Course Training course for the staff of the Public Administrations of Latin America This course is part of the project: “Red de Consumo Seguro y Salud” (Consumer Safety and Health Network) and led by the OAS Agenda: ◦ 4 modules: dealing with 2 systems  General product safety laws  Risk Assessment  Communications between administrations  International cooperation The Aim: The countries of Latin-America can work the same or similar way. They can cooperate in product safety with the US, EU, Australia, and the rest of the world.

Data & Knowledge Market surveillance Final results Reality Anticipation Efficiency Recalls Withdrawals Redesign

Thank you for your attention!