Justiceand Consumers

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Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2019

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All consumers have the right to find only safe products on the market. The New Deal for Consumers1 strengthens consumer protection rules online and offline, and sets new penalties where consumers’ rights are not respected. The new #YOUREURIGHT campaign reminds consumers of these rights.

However, there are also, all over the EU, many good examples of companies developing initiatives to improve consumers’ protection. These practices deserve being rewarded.

The EU Product Safety Award gives recognition to those companies, big and small, who put product safety at the heart of what they do, going beyond EU requirements. It also aims to promote and disseminate the good practices, thus raising the standards for consumer protection across Europe. We want to encourage all companies to make product safety their top priority, so that our children, families and friends are safe.

I will be pleased to honour the winners in a special ceremony on 26th September in Brussels, to be able to meet them personally and to congratulate them on their performance.

1. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-3041_en.htm

FOREWORD FROM THE COMMISSIONER

Vĕra JourováEuropean Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD FROM THE COMMISSIONER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

About the Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Why an Award on product safety? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

What’s in it for the winners? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Why focus on the safety of childcare products? . . . . . . . . . 3

How does it work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

THE JURY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

THE WINNERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Category SMEs

Remmy (Italy) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Evomove (Denmark) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Reer (Germany) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Mippaa (Netherlands) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Category Large companies

Reima (Finland) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Cybex (Germany) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Mega Disposables (Greece) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

MAM Baby (Austria) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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GENERAL INFORMATION

About the AwardLaunched in February 2019, the EU Product Safety Award honours businesses that put safety at the heart of what they do, going beyond the minimum requirements enshrined in EU law.

The Award shines a light on companies that do their utmost to protect their customers, setting an example that can inspire others.

For this first edition, businesses, both big and small, that excel in the safety of childcare products are being recognised.

Why an Award on product safety?There are many excellent examples of EU companies going the “extra mile” on consumer protection. But not many people know about them. The European Commission wants to reward these companies and create awareness of their work.

And by creating this much needed awareness, other businesses will be inspired to do the same, raising the level of product safety across the EU.

Meanwhile, EU consumers have the right to buy only safe products. The EU Product Safety Award will make them more aware of the importance of product safety. Empowering consumers is also the aim of the EU’s brand-new campaign #YOUREURIGHT.

What’s in it for the winners?While the Award is non-monetary, it will give companies widespread recognition, a boost to their reputation and a chance to position themselves as industry leaders in product safety.

The winners will receive their awards from the European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Věra Jourová in a gala ceremony in Brussels. They will also be able to use the Award logo to promote their best practices.

There are separate awards for SMEs and bigger companies so that no-one is left out.

Why focus on the safety of childcare products?Young children are a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to product safety. They are often unaware of the potential dangers, which can lead to accidents and injuries.

Childcare products – such as baby cots, carriers or soother holders – are still among the most commonly notified products in the EU Rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products.

How does it work?The first edition of the Award was open to companies from the 31 countries in the European Economic Area (28 EU Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).

Companies had almost two months to apply online. All Award information and application forms were available in 22 EU languages to enable everyone to participate.

Entries were received from 16 Member States and evaluated in three phases. Following a first screening by national market surveillance authorities, a high-level jury selected the finalists, who were then scrutinised against internationally recognised corporate social responsibility (CSR) criteria.

The winners were selected on the basis of four main criteria: innovation, impact, replication potential and company product safety processes.

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THE JURY

Bogomil Nikolov

Member of the European Economic and Social Committee and Director of Bulgarian Active Consumers Association

“Companies’ efforts to ensure high level of safety always pay off. This is an investment in consumer trust, which paves the way to consumers’ hearts.”

Tania Vandenberghe

Senior Programme Manager, Child Safety and Domestic Appliances, ANEC, the European consumer voice in standardisation

“As vulnerable consumers, children are often unaware of the dangers they face and therefore require a particularly high level of protection. We applaud industry going beyond the requirements of European legislation. The EU’s Product Safety Award recognises these efforts that enhance children’s safety by reducing the number of accidents in which they are involved.”

Kristi Talving

Deputy Secretary‑General for Internal Market, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Estonia

“Product safety offers pioneering companies a great opportunity to stand out, to make a difference, and to appreciate their customers. This Award shows the EU at its best in promoting companies’ core values.”

Monique Goyens

Director General of BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation

“While we are living in a more and more sophisticated and complex world, it is crucial not to forget the basics: Consumers need to be safe, day-in and day-out, when using consumer products. Innovative companies can help improve consumer safety and push the whole market towards greater consumer protection. This is why we welcome the EU Product Safety Award.”

Marie‑Paule Benassi

Acting Director for Consumers, Directorate‑General for Justice and Consumers, European Commission

“The European Commission supports proactive measures from industry that go the extra mile to protect consumers. These winning practices set an excellent example that should inspire others. Our ultimate goal is for all companies to place consumers at the heart of what they do.”

The EU Product Safety Award jury included representatives from both national and European consumer organisations as well as key government figures.

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THE WINNERS

CATEGORY SMES

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THE WINNERS Category SMEs

Gold AwardRemmy (Italy)CarBabyAlert – a pioneering anti-abandon device that can save livesEach year, several infants die as a result of being left in overheated cars.

To prevent this from happening, Italian company Remmy has developed

a simple yet effective car baby alert. The device alerts the driver that the

child is on board once the car has been turned off or in the event that the

seat belt has been incorrectly fastened.

The product is assembled in a local social cooperative which supports

the inclusion of marginalised and disadvantaged groups. The company

engages both on- and offline with parents on how to travel safely in the

car with their children. It has also provided input to a new Italian law that

will oblige all Italian residents carrying a child up to 4 years of age to

have an anti-abandon device.

‣ More information: http://www.remmy.it

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THE WINNERS Category SMEs

Silver AwardEvomove (Denmark)Nomi Highchair – making the world a safer place to sitHighchair accidents are very common among small children and are

usually caused by the chair tilting backwards. With this in mind, Danish

company Evomove launched the Nomi highchair, which eliminates such

mishaps thanks to a special anti-tilt roller. Nomi is also designed with

organic round shapes instead of sharp angles and corners.

All of the product’s components are regularly tested according to strict

standards, including the world’s leading safety certification Oeko-Tex®

for textiles. The company offers advice to its consumers online and has

developed handy assembling guides. All retailers selling Nomi are trained

twice a year to ensure proper guidance to end consumers.

‣ More information: http://evomove.com

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THE WINNERS Category SMEs

Bronze AwardReer (Germany)Safety devices – preventing accidents at homeFor close to 100 years, German company Reer has been inventing

a whole host of products with child safety in mind. Its stair gates,

doorstoppers and window locks offer a simple solution to a widespread

problem of child accidents at home.

Reer is also committed to educating consumers about potential child

safety hazards at home by offering advice to parents and producing

educational videos, guides and checklists. The company has developed

a virtual childproof house, which can be viewed online (add link).

Reer actively contributes to the development of relevant European

safety standards, helping to increase the safety of children’s products

throughout the industry.

Reer is a founding member of the Global Alliance for Child Safety

(GACS) and actively supports the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für mehr

Kindersicherheit .e.V. (BAG) as well as Keep Caps from Kids.

‣ More information: https://www.reer.de

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THE WINNERS Category SMEs

Special MentionMippaa (Netherlands)Mippaa Stair Trainer – helping children climb stairs safelyStairs are the leading cause of injury for small children. Dutch company

Mippaa’s first product is the Mippaa Stair Trainer. This innovative product

is a unique child railing to support small children when they are learning

to climb stairs and thus minimise the risk of falls. The Stair Trainer can

be attached to the existing handrail and therefore hangs at child level.

The handrail is narrow and suitable for children’s hands.

To protect the environment, the product is made of crushed

post-industrial waste (such as faulty products).

‣ More information: https://www.mippaa.com

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THE WINNERS

CATEGORY LARGE

COMPANIES

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THE WINNERS Category Large companies

Gold AwardReima (Finland)Outdoor wear for kids – turning clothes into safety devicesFinnish company Reima manufactures and sells active wear for children.

Its products are designed specifically for children, not just regular clothes

in smaller sizes.

The company’s strict product and testing requirements clearly exceed

those of the EU. For example, all hoods on its outdoor clothing are

detachable, and all of its garments are free from perfluorinated carbon

compounds (PFCs), nanomaterials and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). But

the company goes even a step further by designing clothes that offer

extra protection to children. Reflective details included in the fabric

of autumn / winter clothes can be life-saving for children in the darker

seasons, while the UPF and anti-mosquito wear helps protect them in

the summer.

Reima has also put in place extensive recall and customer

feedback procedures.

‣ More information: https://www.reima.com

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THE WINNERS Category Large companies

Silver AwardCybex (Germany)Priam Baby Stroller – combining safety and designHeadquartered in Germany, Cybex has developed the Priam baby stroller

featuring a number of innovative safety features, including all-wheel

suspension to minimise any jolts to the baby’s neck and head, visibility in

the dark as well as sun and dirt protection.

The company’s own safety standards clearly exceed those of the EU.

For example, the range of hazardous chemicals controlled has been

expanded from the mandatory 19 to more than 300. Likewise, the

products’ durability, strength and temperature tests go far beyond the

norm. The company’s world-class testing centre provides services to

companies across the industry. To be ready in the case of a possible

product safety risk, the company runs regular recall simulations.

‣ More information: https://cybex-online.com

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THE WINNERS Category Large companies

Bronze AwardMega Disposables (Greece)Babylino Sensitive nappies – kind to baby’s skinGreek company Mega is one of the largest manufacturers of personal

hygiene products in Europe. Its Babylino Sensitive nappy was the

first to successfully reach the coveted Oeko-Tex® standard. This

is an internationally recognised system of laboratory testing for

more than 300 chemicals, certifying that the products contain no

harmful substances.

The company maintains continuous communication with its customers

and responds to any consumer feedback within 24 hours.

Mega is one of a handful of companies in Europe to have installed

inspection cameras on its production lines, ensuring continuous quality

and safety control. The company’s processes can be applied not only to

other personal hygiene products but also to other industries.

‣ More information: https://www.babylino.gr/en

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THE WINNERS Category Large companies

Special MentionMAM Baby (Austria)Soothers and feeding equipment – setting and exceeding standardsMAM Baby is an Austrian company that develops, produces and sells

soothers and baby feeding equipment. The company has played

a leading role in developing relevant safety standards, raising the

level of safety throughout the industry. As early as the 1980s, MAM

started developing the soother standard for Austria, which has been

subsequently rolled out across Europe. At the same time, MAM’s internal

requirements and testing criteria go well beyond the norms.

The company has established its own research department and works

closely with medical experts and parents in the development of its

products. A robust traceability system provides all information on the

products for the past 10 years.

‣ More information: https://www.mambaby.com

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xx‑xx‑xx‑xxx‑xx‑x ISBN xxx‑xx‑xx‑xxxxx‑x

The EU’s Product Safety Award rewards businesses that go the extra mile to protect consumers. It’s for those who put safety at the heart of what they do, going beyond the minimum requirements laid down in EU law.