2.5 Examples of how consumer representatives' contributions have directly improved standards
- Foreign-language learning holidays
- Toy safety
- Infant cribs
- Furniture
- Life jackets and buoyancy aids
- Fire extinguishers
- Lawn mowers
- Examples of consumer issues in standards: problems and solutions
Foreign-language learning holidays
In the United Kingdom, English courses were offered to foreigners, frequently children and young people who were accommodated within local families. The consumer representative was aware of consumer concerns about the accommodation. These concerns included not only information about what was provided, but also the legal parental responsibilities of the host family when accommodating young people. The scope was modified so that the standard addressed this.
Toy safety
In the United States, consumer representatives made significant contributions to the development of the recently published revisions to ASTM F963 on Toy Safety. They provided data and a consumer perspective that helped shape the standards for magnets and yo-yo elastic tether toys which presented a risk of strangulation.
Infant cribs
Following an infant death which resulted from a crib injury, a campaign was mounted by a dedicated charity. This led to the development of a series of U.S. standards affecting crib design and subsequently legislation in seven States. Hazard data shows a reduction in the injuries from about 100 to fewer than 16 per annum, after publication of the standard.
Furniture
In addition, a consumer association in the United States, Consumers Union, has been working on strengthening an ASTM standard on furniture tip-over, and another one is in progress for glass tables that will require the use of safety glass.
Life jackets and buoyancy aids
In a CEN technical committee developing standards for life jackets and buoyancy aids, a consumer representative suggested that lifejackets with extremely high performance levels, such as those that professionals used in the open sea, were not ideal for recreational use (casual fishermen, canoeists, water-skiers). Therefore, the representative suggested allowing for fashion, ease of use and comfort over strict safety levels. As a result, European Standards were published which later were adopted as ISO 12402-3, ISO 12402-4, and ISO 12402-5. The resulting lifejackets are now widely used.
Fire extinguishers
In Argentina, some fire extinguishers were unreliable and ineffective. A consumer association there filmed a test showing the extinguishers’ poor performance in putting out fires. The consumer association then worked with the standards body in Argentina (IRAM) to develop strict standards ensuring the extinguishers’ safety and performance.
Lawn mowers
When small lightweight rotary electric lawn-mowers were first introduced, hazard data showed that women sustained serious cuts to their feet more frequently than men. Research showed that women more often pulled the mowers backwards as well as forwards (like a domestic vacuum cleaner), sometimes pulling the mowers onto their feet. The data presented compelling evidence. A less rigid blade, which would not damage feet seriously, was introduced into the European Standard for all such small mowers.
Examples of consumer issues in standards: problems and solutions
If a consumer likes it, it is likely to sell well!- A quote from a consumer representative
When an end product or service meets the consumer’s requirements, this creates a win-win situation–both for the consumer …and the producer