In a fast paced consumer landscape, speed – of technology, innovation, and progress – is driving change in how businesses design, manufacture, and distribute their products. As this acceleration creates new and exciting cutting-edge technologies and braves the status quo, companies and consumer product safety authorities are encountering ever increasing unknowns.
How can we know and/or test that ground-breaking ideas and designs are safe in practice? What will happen when these novel products enter the market and how quickly will they expand globally? When and how can we as industry and regulators come together throughout an original product’s lifecycle? What new partnerships are needed – in research and development, patents, and entrepreneurship – to help us learn and understand the potential risks before they go to market?
These questions and more will be the genesis for dialogue between industry and regulators as we discuss new tools (trend analysis, social media analytics, standards and design), existing approaches (general provisions, recalls, and outreach), and best practices for tackling these evolving opportunities and challenges. Representing a synthesis of industry, legal, and regulatory representatives, this panel will provide insights and examples of how to mitigate risks, adapt decision-making processes, and best strive together towards safe products.