How Safety Testing Works: Part 1

Where exactly does the safety process begin? With all of the regulatory changes that have happened over the last 5 years, the safety process should start at the Design phase. The key to a great Quality Assurance program is to be diligent in the beginning stages of the process. Remember, be proactive not reactive. 

Start with a basic understanding of what raw materials your product will contain. If a soft plastic piece is part of the design, make a note that Phthalates are commonly found in plastics that bend with ease.    

Make note of who your target customers are and make sure that all regulations that pertain to that target is well documented. For instance, a child's sound toy might have a specific decimal limit that must be met in order to pass testing.

Another factor to take into consideration is if your product is being sold at a specific retailer. There is a good chance that the retailer you are planning to sell through has it's own brand specific testing practices that go beyond the typical federal regulations that your products would be tested to.

The easiest way to complete the safety design process and document it correctly would be to have a Design Evaluation performed on your product. A Design Evaluation is typically needed for companies who do not have a team of safety engineers, or have access to the latest and newest testing standards. These Design Evaluations can map out every requirement needed and any potential hazards or failures prior to the start of production.

Design Evaluations are the new norm in the Quality Assurance world. When performed correctly, a company can hedge their risks, reduce testing costs, and take a proactive approach to safety testing.

As always, please feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below.

CPTS