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Product Safety

 

Product Safety Regulation & Guidelines

Electrical product safety in Ontario is governed by Regulation 438/07. The objectives of this regulation are:

  • to ensure that electrical products do not present a serious product hazard;
  • to ensure that electrical products are approved;
  • to ensure accountability for the safety of electrical products offered for sale;
  • to ensure that the public is notified of unsafe electrical products that pose a  risk to consumers; and
  • to ensure that appropriate corrective action is undertaken when an approved electrical product is subsequently found to be unsafe.

Manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and certification/inspection bodies are required to report serious electrical incidents, accidents or defects involving electrical products sold or distributed in Ontario to the Electrical Safety Authority.

 
Ontario Regulation 438/07
Director's Order amending Ontario Regulation 164/99

Stakeholders from a variety of industry segments (including manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, certification/inspection bodies, consumer councils, and Ontario government representatives) were invited to participate in an extensive consultation process on the development of product safety guidelines. Seven working groups were formed (encompassing 55 members from 29 separate organizations) covering risk assessment methodology, accident and incident reporting guidelines, public notification and corrective action guidelines, revocation of approval and recognition, and funding options. The result of the consultation process was the development of "Industry Guidelines for the Management of Electrical Product Safety." These were published in June 2008 and revised in July 2008.

Final Industry Guidelines for the Management of Electrical Product Safety

These guidelines require ESA to undertake new and expanded activities (public notification, corrective action, increased inspection and market surveillance activities, and creation of strategic alliances and partnerships). ESA considered a number of ways in which to fund these activities during the stakeholder consultation process, culminating in a decision to adopt a hybrid funding model. These discussions are summarized in the business case below.

Product Safety Business Case

Other documentation from the stakeholder consultation process is available upon request.

For more information on the ESA's product safety programs or activities, contact the Product Safety Department at product.safety@electricalsafety.on.ca.

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