You need to seriously consider product safety (and liability) issues when developing a new product or enhancing an old one. Most products will need to conform to some federal laws or consumer demands as outlined by accepted safety standards in all large market countries. Even though technology and new products are advancing much faster than the development of new safety regulations, the "Who cares" group is the real driving force for safety regulation, not the legislative agencies.

Minimal cost may be added to the product and some time added to its development effort, but the product will be inherently more safe, reliable and useful and the company will have firm legs to stand on should a product liability problem raise its ugly head. Product costs over its lifetime will be measurably less because of greater product liability and market acceptance.

And equally as important, your company will gain a reputation that says, "We are constantly concerned about our customers' safety and we can demonstrate that our products are safe."

Product safety is an attitude.

The end -



Special thanks to Amy-Lynne Williams of Deeth Williams Wall, LLP http://www.dww.com for outlining the Canadian product safety process.

And to...

Bill Evans http://www.techmankanata.com for his always clear, top-level advice and powerful suggestions.

---

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only and do not represent the views of the Techman/Kanata or of any of its directors, officers or employees. The author, Mr. Richard (Dick) Haney, can be reached at RichardMHaney@cs.com