Greek experience on the enforcement of Product Safety legislation

Community safety legislation and

current situation in Greece

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Main instruments of the implentation of the EU policy on GPS

Community safety legislation

Technical harmonization

Administrative cooperation

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General Secretariat for Consumer Affairs of the Ministry of Development

Responsible Authority for the General Product Safety in Greece

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Main tasks of the General Secretariat for Consumer Affairs with regard to General Product Safety

The transposition in to the Greek law and implementation of Community legislation and acquis on product safety

The market surveillance in relation to products exclusively covered by the GPSD

Contact-point for the RAPEX system and body of liaison for the European Network under Article 10 of the GPSD

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Authorities responsible for Products covered by specific Community legislation (New Approach Directives) in Greece and for GPS

The General Secretariat of Industry of the Ministry of Development for domestic appliances, toys etc.

The State General Chemical Laboratory for chemical products such as detergents, paints dyes and other products falling within the provisions of Dangerous Substances legislation

The National Drug Organization for cosmetics, medical devices etc.

The Ministry of Transportation for the vehicles and their spare parts

The Maritime Ministry for recreation boats and others Consumer Protection and Trade Departments of the 54 regional

administrations in the prefectures throughout Greece The Custom Authorities

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Difficulties faced in Greece due to the involvement of many enforcement Authorities in the GPS

The collaboration between the enforcement Authorities

The receiving of satisfactory feedback for the notifications through RAPEX

The determination of the borderline between competencies and responsibilities of various Authorities involved

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Solutions provided by the implementation of the GPSD 2001/95/EU

The field of application of the GPSD has been accurately determined

The relationship with other sector Directives has been clearly defined

The new Directive has introduced the obligation for the MS to ensure appropriate coordination of the actions of the Authorities monitoring the Product Safety

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Coordination Committee for the enforcement of GPSDMain objectives:

The collaboration between the enforcement Authorities

The exchange of information on control activities, relevant taken actions and imposed penalties

The organization and execution of joint surveillance and testing projects

The drawing up of instructions/warnings on safety risks for consumers

The exchange of expertise and best practices on risk assessment and tests

The assessment of results of market surveillance activities

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Current situationMain difficulties

Insufficient human resources Insufficient financial resources Testing laboratories mainly independent

bodies operating on a fee basis

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Progress made in and Positive initiatives with regard to the monitoring of Product Safety in Greece

Qualified personnel have been employed Attendance of training courses on the application of RAPEX Participation in joint projects of the European Network Availability of a database of the Greek laboratories and their

testing performance capability Availability of a database of European and International

standards in ELOT and a relevant database of CEN Efficient cooperation of the enforcement Authorities with

independent bodies, consumers and business Effective response of manufacturers with consequent voluntary

corrective actions-measures Publication of RAPEX notifications translated into Greek in our

website

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Cases successfully dealt with by the Greek

Authorities Dangerous and potentially dangerous fuels Toys and child-care articles with phthalates Stinky figures containing substances

classified as dangerous Little glass particles resembling to

confectionary without warnings of risk in Greek

Firestone recall-corrective action Lighters resembling to toys Toy-vehicle with acute ends

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Conclusions

Effective enforcement of legislation on Product Safety should be one of the main priorities of the policy on consumer protection

The application of the provisions of the new GPSD by Greek Authorities had a positive impact on market surveillance activities related to Product Safety

The coordination of the efforts of all those involved in the sector of GPS in line with the EU legislation

Efficient cooperation at community and national level, easy access to information and sufficient resources are integral parts of any successful endeavor in the field of monitoring Product Safety