Multinational European Commission Project: “Joint Actions on the Market Surveillance of GPSD Products and Harmonised Products” (JA2014)
Objectives of the Joint Actions
The overall programme of the Joint Actions aims to achieve coordinated market surveillance activities for various product categories in the most effective manner. It seeks to provide opportunities for further evaluation and improvement of best practices initially developed under the two EMARS projects, subsequently enhanced through the JA2009 and JA2010 projects, and currently implemented and refined under the ongoing JA2011, JA2012, and JA2013 projects.
Structure of the Joint Actions
Thirty-six market surveillance authorities from 28 EU Member States and EEA countries are participating in the current Joint Actions. The project is coordinated and managed by PROSAFE. It includes horizontal activities (method development and risk assessment), product-oriented activities, as well as project management and coordination tasks.
The product-oriented activities focus on the following product categories:
Acoustic toys
Child safety barriers
Fireworks
Power tools
LED and CFL lighting
For each product category, market surveillance will be carried out, samples will be taken and tested, and a risk assessment will be performed based on the test results. If serious non-compliances are identified, the necessary measures will be taken. All participating countries in the Joint Actions have committed to taking follow-up actions based on the product test results and risk assessments. Where necessary, feedback will also be provided to standardization bodies.
Additionally, for child safety barriers, fireworks, and power tools, priority product groups will be defined for future Joint Actions. Method development activities focus mainly on risk assessment, the Continuous Improvement of Market Surveillance (CIMS) framework, and e-learning. Project management and coordination activities aim to ensure adequate attention and action on topics such as best practices, customs cooperation, determining the nationality of manufacturers (product origin), and international cooperation.
The project launched in July 2015 with an opening workshop. Interim results will be presented at a workshop in the spring of 2016, and final project outcomes will be presented at a final conference in early 2017. Work on these Joint Actions will be conducted in close cooperation with other Joint Actions managed and coordinated by PROSAFE, contributing to the development and practical implementation of best practices.
Participants
Thirty-six market surveillance authorities from 28 EU Member States and EEA countries are participating in these Joint Actions.
Duration
15 May 2015 – 15 July 2017
Work Packages (WPs):
WP1 Project Management (Coordinator: PROSAFE)
WP2 Dissemination of Information (Coordinator: PROSAFE)
WP3 Risk Assessment (Coordinator: PROSAFE)
WP4 CIMS (Coordinator: MCCAA – Malta)
WP5 E-Learning (Coordinator: MCCAA – Malta)
WP6 Child Care Articles – Safety Barriers (Coordinator: MDC, Greece)
WP7 Toys 3 (Coordinator: NVWA – Netherlands)
WP8 LED/CFL Light Sources (Coordinator: Tukes, Finland)
WP9 Fireworks 2 (Coordinator: ILT, Netherlands)
WP10 Power Tools (Coordinator: MIRS, Slovenia)
SAMTS Participates in the Following Product Work Packages:
1. WP9 Fireworks 2
(Coordinator: ILT – Netherlands; Participants: PROSAFE, FPSE, SAMTS, MDC, CA, ILNAS, DSB, UOKiK, IRSI)
The applicable European legislation is Directive 2007/23/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 May 2007 on the placing on the market of pyrotechnic articles. Member States were required to transpose the Directive into national law by 4 January 2010 and apply its provisions from that date for product categories 1, 2, and 3.
The 2007 Directive was the first Community legislative act in the field of fireworks. Member States were required, for the first time, to monitor the presence of CE marking on fireworks and enforce the principles of free movement of fireworks within the European market. Initially, the focus of JA2011 was on developing best practices, sharing experience on implementing the new requirements, and building a better understanding of the single European fireworks market. The objective of JA2014 is to evaluate how the introduced Directive 2013/29/EU impacts the market and to develop procedures for determining the market share of products manufactured under the 2007 Directive versus those produced under the 2013 Directive.
Furthermore, testing fireworks is very costly, and sample transportation requires special arrangements, which posed a serious issue during JA2011—leading to a limited number of tested samples at that time. Under the current project (JA2014), a significant number of samples will be tested to create a platform for sharing experience and information, as well as opportunities to develop best practices. Simultaneously, Member States are encouraged to sample and test products at their own expense while sharing results with other participating Member States.
Under JA2011, a working group reviewed the various fireworks types defined in EN 15947 (31 in total) and selected 5 product types for the action—types that demonstrated serious risks to consumers at the time. Since the fireworks market has evolved significantly, it is necessary to review the current market and identify product types posing the highest risk to consumers. Developing a priority list is therefore a key element of these Joint Actions.
The project foresees coordinated national market surveillance activities where each authority monitors its domestic market. Within the project scope, samples of 200 different firework types will be taken and tested, and 6 workshops (including a stakeholder meeting) will be held. The Joint Actions will build upon the best practices established during JA2011, particularly regarding sample testing procedures.
JA2014 will be implemented in the following phases, taking into account seasonal peaks such as New Year:
a. Market and Risk Analysis: Identifying market characteristics and product risks (e.g., number, size, and maturity of market players; import vs. production ratio; sales volume; injury statistics; research data; past results; emerging hazards).
b. Sampling Criteria: Agreeing on sampling procedures across Member States, including developing checklists and/or guides.
c. Sampling: Visiting manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers to collect samples in a coordinated manner, reporting back to the task coordinator.
d. Laboratory Product Testing: Organizing laboratory selection and sample testing.
e. Risk Assessment: Discussing general principles and assessing risks for sampled products.
f. Follow-up Actions on Non-Compliant Products & Information Exchange: Consulting economic operators on risk assessment results and agreeing on appropriate corrective measures.
Main Expected Deliverables for Fireworks:
a. Action Planning: Detailed market surveillance strategy, kickoff meetings, and activity schedules.
b. Project Workshops: 6 sets of meeting minutes.
c. Market Surveillance Tools: Information exchange guides, sampling schemes, and checklists.
d. Sample Testing Organization: Test parameter list, tender process, contract award, transportation, and result processing.
e. Market Surveillance: Surveillance statistics, activity analysis, follow-up actions, and a final technical report.
2. WP10 Power Tools
(Coordinator: MIRS – Slovenia; Participants: PROSAFE, MIRS, SAMTS, MINGO, CTI, Tukes, ROGA, CRPC, ILNAS, MCCAA, UOKiK, ASAE, STI)
Participating countries will carry out coordinated market surveillance nationally. Planned activities include 6 workshops (including a stakeholder meeting), testing of 60 samples, risk assessments, and presenting outcomes at the final conference.
A primary objective of this action is establishing a priority list to define the scope of current and future actions, as the power tool sector is too vast for a single project. Under JA2014, one product category will be selected for surveillance and sample testing in a tender-selected laboratory. Other prioritized categories will be targeted in subsequent Joint Actions. Work will be coordinated by PROSAFE in close cooperation with relevant standardization committees, assisting in defining and verifying test methods, test repeatability, etc.
JA2014 for Power Tools will be implemented in the following phases:
a. Market and Risk Analysis: Identifying market characteristics and product risks (evaluating market players, import/production balance, sales data, injury statistics, previous findings, and emerging hazards).
b. Sampling Criteria: Setting sampling guidelines for Member States, including checklists/manuals.
c. Sampling: Collecting designated samples from manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers, coordinated and reported to the task lead.
d. Laboratory Product Testing: Managing tender selection of testing facilities and sample testing.
e. Risk Assessment: Harmonizing risk assessment principles and evaluating tested samples.
f. Follow-up Actions on Non-Compliant Products & Information Exchange: Consulting economic operators on risk findings and agreeing on follow-up measures.
Main Expected Deliverables for Power Tools:
a. Action Planning: Detailed strategy, kickoff/follow-up meetings, and operational planning.
b. Project Workshops: 6 sets of meeting minutes.
c. Market Surveillance Tools: Information exchange guides, sampling plans, and checklists.
d. Sample Testing Organization: Test criteria, tendering/contracting, sample transport, and data processing.
e. Market Surveillance: Surveillance metrics, analysis of results, follow-up actions taken, and a final technical report for power tools.