Rise in product recalls highlights importance of Standards

MEDIA RELEASE

Rise in product recalls highlights importance of Standards

A rise in product recalls between 2009 and this year highlights the importance of Standards to New Zealanders’ safety and wellbeing, Standards New Zealand Chief Executive Debbie Chin said today.

‘One of the fundamental reasons for developing many of our Standards is keeping people safe, whether it be children’s toys, cars, electrical equipment, fire protection, playgrounds, baby car seats, sunscreen, or gas appliances.

‘Goods and services that meet national and international Standards can be relied on by New Zealanders to be safe and reliable, and do the job they are intended for.

‘It is important that New Zealanders check products when they buy them to ensure they meet national, joint, or international Standards.’

Debbie Chin said joint Australian/New Zealand and New Zealand Standards are developed by experts in their fields through a robust and transparent process.

‘Our Standards development committees are sector experts and our Standards development process is consensus-based with wide consultation. Our committee members are drawn from a wide range of public and private sector organisations, professional associations, and industry groups.

‘We have recently been talking to representatives of successful businesses in New Zealand, large and small, and they all emphasise that one of the main reasons for their success is their strict adherence to Standards.’

About Standards New Zealand

Standards New Zealand is the operating arm of the Standards Council, and part of New Zealand’s standards and conformance infrastructure. Standards New Zealand is an autonomous Crown entity responsible for managing the development and distribution of Standards across a range of sectors nationally.

Standards New Zealand is a self-funded, not-for-profit organisation, relying on revenue primarily from contracts with sponsors to develop Standards, and from sales of Standards publications. Our independence helps us facilitate a cross section of stakeholders’ contributions to the development of Standards, and ensure that each Standard meets the needs of end users.

www.standards.co.nz

ENDS

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