Consumers in both Australia and the United States will benefit from improved consumer product safety protection following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The MOU was finalised in Sydney today as part of CPSC chairman Inez Tenenbaum's visit to Australia.
"The MOU formalises and progresses the already well established product safety relationship between Australia and the United States," ACCC deputy chair Peter Kell said today.
"The agreement reflects our intention to work together more closely on product safety issues, including coordinating our assessment of product safety risks which are common to both countries."
"The MOU will help reduce the risks of injuries and fatalities associated with consumer products in the two countries. For example, it creates a platform for more effective sharing of product safety intelligence that will ultimately lead to a safer marketplace for consumers."
Mr Kell said the MOU will improve cross-border product safety compliance, as well as the sharing of relevant information about product safety hazards, standards and bans.
"The collaboration between the ACCC and the CPSC reflects the clear recognition in both Australia and the US that consumer product safety is an increasingly international issue."
For more information about product safety in Australia, visit www.productsafety.gov.au. To find out about the CPSC, visit www.cpsc.gov.
A photo of Mr Kell and Ms Tenenbaum signing the MOU will be available from the ACCC media unit on request.
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Mr Brent Rebecca, Media, (02) 6243 1317 or 0408 995 408
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