Report from networking

workshop and award-handing ceremony

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Table of Contents

1. NETWORKING WORKSHOP .......................................................................................................... 3

Workshop Session 1: Innovative solutions to common hazards ............................................................. 3

Evomove, Denmark ................................................................................................................ 3

Mippaa, The Netherlands ....................................................................................................... 4

Reer, Germany ....................................................................................................................... 5

Remmy, Italy .......................................................................................................................... 6

Workshop session 2: Beyond standards for even safer products ........................................................... 6

Cybex, Germany ..................................................................................................................... 7

Mam Baby, Austria ................................................................................................................. 8

Mega Disposables, Greece ..................................................................................................... 8

Reima, Finland ....................................................................................................................... 9

2. AWARD CEREMONY................................................................................................................... 11

Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................11

Large companies ...................................................................................................................................11

Special mention ................................................................................................................... 11

Bronze Award ...................................................................................................................... 12

Silver Award ......................................................................................................................... 12

Gold Award .......................................................................................................................... 12

SMEs .....................................................................................................................................................12

Special Mention ................................................................................................................... 13

Bronze Award ...................................................................................................................... 13

Silver Award ......................................................................................................................... 13

Gold Award .......................................................................................................................... 13

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1. Networking Workshop The Commission opened the Networking Workshop by noting that the EU's first-ever Product Safety Award is a celebration of a common objective – the promotion of health and safety of EU consumers. “It is also about raising awareness of the efforts that are made every day to make product safety a reality, and about putting consumers at the centre,” said the Commission. The inspiration came from Japan, which has been holding an annual product safety prize for more than a decade. This initiative has been a major success in terms of raising awareness and visibility. The award is not just about recognising individual companies but about bringing the whole community together and spreading good practices, said the Commission. "By sharing passion, we will be able to increase product safety." Turning to the presentations, the Commission explained that the Workshop would be divided into two thematic sessions, focusing on i) "Innovative solutions to common hazards" and ii) "Beyond standards for even safer products". Within each session, presentations follow an alphabetical order, with the winners revealed during the evening ceremony.

Workshop Session 1: Innovative solutions to common hazards

Evomove, Denmark Nomi Highchair: making the world a safer place to sit Rune Gitz-Johansen, CMO from Evomove, said that when Evomove entered the baby – safety - industry nine years ago, they looked into the statistics. They found that Denmark had 500 highchair-related injuries a year, which translated into 40 000 injuries a year across the whole European Union. Digging further he found that tilt accidents were by far the most common and severe accident. The Nomi chair (the name comes from ergonomics) is designed with anti-tilt castors. This means that when kids kick away from the table, the chair moves instead of tilts, Mr Gitz-Johansen explained. The second issue that the chair addresses is stability. "Kids don’t do as they are told and do not sense danger; they stand on chairs and try to get out." The large footprint of the chair provides much better stability. Good ergonomics are enhanced by an anti-friction surface. Finally, rounded shapes ensure that kids running around the product shouldn’t get hurt when tumbling into it. "All this is simple but logical", added Mr Gitz-Johansen. After six years on the market, there have been no reported tilt accidents. Mr Gitz-Johansen paid tribute to Nomi designer Peter Opsvik for dedicating his life to improving child safety. The chair is also designed to be functional. Assembly is simple. If you get a product with 200 screws, the risk of assembling the product wrongly is high. This product however has six screws and is intuitive to assemble. The passive restraint slides into place with an audible click. The adjustment is fast and seamless.

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Nomi Highchair adapts to the child, rather than the other way around, as is the case with the vast majority of conventional highchairs. This is something that the consumer understands, said Mr Gitz-Johansen. Educating parents and retailers is ongoing work. It is important the full value-chain understands the philosophy behind the product, he said. “This is not just a highchair,” concluded Mr Gitz-Johansen “It’s a chair that responds to the user and encourages families to sit together around the dining table at the same level.” A workshop participant asked about the issue of misuse, which is often a major issue with child safety products. Mr Gitz-Johansen replied that the smart design of Nomi ensures that if the chair is set at the right height, the seat- and footplate depth is automatically set correct. Mr Gitz-Johansen said that from an ergonomic point of view, a harness restricts the development of the child and its blood circulation as both aspects are stimulated by movement and we humans are basically not designed for static seating. He argued that children should be able to move freely, while under supervision by an adult, rather than being immobilised. Being able to dine with your children at eye level is a central part of our philosophy, as there are so many positive side effects when enabling children to take part in the social dining context, he said. Another participant asked whether there was a price premium for safety, and how the Nomi chair compares to other products on the market. Mr Gitz-Johansen replied that Nomi is a high-end product but it’s versatile use, actually makes it quite affordable. While expensive to manufacture based on the high-quality components and EU based production, the durability and flexibility of the chair means that Nomi can be used for up to 13 years, where conventional highchair designs is only durable until the child is 3 years old. As dining table height is standardised (72-75 cm), the age span is more likely to be dictated by height than age, with most kids growing out of the chair at around 170 cm – ready for using an adult dining chair. Mr Gitz-Johansen was asked about educating consumers. He replied that it’s an ongoing task because only about 10% of consumers tend to read instruction manuals carefully. Evomove uses a wide range of short tutorial videos distributed on YouTube and repeated frequently on So-Me and other relevant touchpoints. The company also educates point-of-sales staff. One ambition was to make retailers "Nomi masters". Academies are organised that educate staff in ergonomics, safety and understanding the Nomi philosophy.

Mippaa, The Netherlands Mippaa Stair Trainer: helping children climb stairs safely Patrick Degenkamp, founder of Mippaa, began to seriously think about safety when he had kids himself. He noted that there are many dangerous situations in the house. Despite stairgates, falls from stairs are still the number one cause of infant accidents, partly because kids cannot reach the handrail. As a furniture maker, Mr Degenkamp started to make prototypes of a kid-friendly handrail, with production in China and sales in the Netherlands. Safety awards from the Netherlands and Germany helped to create international demand for the stair trainer, and Mippaa brought production back to Europe. This has helped to reduce the company’s environmental footprint, he said.

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“We sell mostly via online platforms and creating awareness among young parents is a challenge for SMEs like us,” said Mr Degenkamp. “I’m happy to be nominated for this award as it will help to raise awareness.” Participants asked whether moving production to Europe can keep costs down. Mr Degenkamp replied that once the moulds are made, material costs are about the same, and that producing in Europe helps to keep transport costs down. A participant asked about the contribution of TÜV in designing the product, and how the product was certified. Mr Degenkamp replied that a key problem was that there were no standards for a child handrail. We had to invent everything ourselves, he said. TÜV helped by looking into everything, including regulations in other countries. Although the company is not currently delivering to the US, the firm is working on the regulations.

Reer, Germany Safety devices: preventing accidents at home Tim Lorenz, CEO of Reer, provided a brief introduction of the company, which was founded in 1922 and invented the bottle warmer, the baby monitor and the automatic socket cover. “With every serious risk there is a safety solution,” he said. “This can even take the form of good advice. There should be safety for every budget.” Reer carries out extensive testing, and internal standards are created if no standard is available. A standard for drawer locks for example became public only one and a half years ago, and Reer played a key role in its development. A lot of testing is carried with kids. Digital educational material is also made available. Consumers can take a virtual tour through a house, to identify where potential risks occur. An offline version of this can be found in some baby shops. Simple tools to check for choking hazards are available, as are installation checklists, he said. “We provide a box of basic safety products, which contains things like a choke tester, a tape measure for gaps and checklists,” said Mr Lorenz. These are made available for free for Safe Kids Germany training seminars. Mr Lorenz was asked who approves the firm’s testing processes. He replied that Reer works with third-party testing laboratories. The company tries to go that extra mile, for example by testing corner protectors for harmful chemicals. It is foreseeable that these could mouthed by children, he said. “We can also learn from other standards that are already available and adapt things that make sense,” he added. A participant inquired about the Global Alliance for Child Safety. Lorenz explained that this was a small organisation that began three years ago to drive higher standard. We want to learn more about behaviours, study different situations, and become more international, he said. Mr Lorenz was asked about building a database of incidents. He replied that there is a good accident database in Germany, to which Reer has access. “We know far less about what is happening in other countries,” he said. “We would definitely be interested in building this database.”

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Remmy, Italy Car Baby Alert: a pioneering anti-abandon device that can save lives Michele Marsilli, Remmy Board member, said that the Car Baby Alert invention was developed in response to the shocking number of children that are accidentally forgotten in cars. Over 2 000 kids have died over the past 15 years after being left alone in the car. In the US alone, there were over 50 deaths last year, mostly from hyperthermia. This device is designed to prevent this from happening. “No one really knows about this issue or talks about it,” said Marsilli. “We think that every car should have a device like this, just like it has seat belts. We need to learn to anticipate problems instead of waiting for things to happen.” Marsilli explained that a part of the brain performs tasks automatically, like changing gears or shutting off headlights. When the part of the brain responsible for moral thinking fails to check the automatic part, a false memory can be created. This means that parents can convince themselves that they have brought their kid to school, when in fact they have not. The Remmy device is completely mechanical and adaptable to all baby car seats. The plug fits into the cigarette lighter and the car computer understands when the car is being turned off by detecting tiny changes in voltage. The device with Bluetooth connection was discarded back in 2013 when Remmy was created because people can forget their smartphone at home or have a dead battery. If the child unbuckles themselves while driving, the alarm will sound, Mr. Marsilli explained. And most importantly, the device reminds the driver that there is a child still on board when the engine is switched off. Mr Marsilli noted that an anti-abandon law was being finalised in Italy. While this was originally going to cover only devices that could send alert messages themselves via SMS, it was expanded to include all devices currently on the market, whether mechanical or bluetooth. A participant raised the possibility of scaling this up to the EU level. This should be something that all car manufacturers eventually install themselves he said. Mr Marsilli also noted that the device can be adapted to cars that switch themselves off at traffic lights. He added that the device does not affect the parameters measured during the crash tests, which are governed by existing EU regulations. Inventor Michele Servalli was asked to discuss challenges encountered during product development. "This product is simple and uses existing technology", he said. “This solution works because it alerts the driver as soon as the car is switched off. If you are being alerted via Bluetooth, perhaps you don’t hear your phone,” said Mr Servalli. “It should not be possible that kids die in this way.” The Commission will see what can be done about this issue at the European level, and bring together business, authorities, associations and consumer groups. “Lack of awareness is often at the heart of the problem,” said the Commission.

Workshop session 2: Beyond standards for even safer products

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Cybex, Germany Priam Baby Stroller: combining safety and design Dr Nikolai Geissler, Senior Vice President of Programme Management at Cybex, said that the company, founded in 2005, focused initially on car seats before expanding into lifestyle products such as strollers, baby carriers and furniture, across more than 100 markets. "This means that we need to take into consideration regulatory requirements globally", he said. The principles of contemporary design, maximum safety and intelligent functionality are embedded in all Cybex products. Strollers for example require multiple layers of safety. These include protection from the sun, temperature and tilting. “Safety is the foundation of all our product requirements,” said Mr Geissler. “We take all legal requirements and then exceed these by far through our internal standards.” A good example is the fact that the material Cybex uses is tested for 300 substances. Mr Geissler argued that attention to safety and high quality does not always lead to higher costs, and that a few strategic product investments can significantly improve safety levels. “This would be my key message,” said Geissler. “Investing in safety pays off.” He explained that Cybex has implemented a fully vertically integrated culture of safety that is initiated from the very top. This then trickles down to all parts of the business. The company has also made a EUR 10m investment in a safety laboratory, which in fact can help to reduce product costs through proper testing. Other companies are also invited to the facility. "This helps to raise the level of safety of the whole product category", said Mr Geissler. The Commission underlined the importance of seeing safety as investment and not as a cost. "Safety is not just a product; it’s the whole process". Geissler agreed, saying that having this structure in place means that no shortcuts can be taken. A participant asked how long the company debated implementing stringent internal standards. The actual decision took about five minutes said Mr Geissler, though implementation probably took a year. An important moment was when we demonstrated that with just a few adjustments to a stroller from another brand, we could significantly improve the safety level. Another participant asked how the company communicates the extra effort that is spent on safety. Geissler replied that consumers can see and feel the quality, and that this is then spread by word of mouth. The issue of child alert devices was raised. Geissler explained that Cybex has both digital and mechanical devices, and that consumers demand app-based systems. He noted that car seat regulations should not be a barrier to introducing these devices. Cybex is participating in regulatory bodies to help establish standards, he added. Another participant brought up identifying misuse during the design phase. Sometimes problems in the product itself can trigger this, said Geissler. If we see a stroller tilting, then we’ll try to engineer a solution. We are driven by specific problems in product development. The lengthy time of developing standards was discussed, as well as whether industry could be more consumer-focused. Mr Geissler agreed that businesses should focus on the consumer, rather than the technical solution. Industry has become too commoditised. Putting safety at the heart is how this can be changed.

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Mam Baby, Austria Soothers and feeding equipment: setting and exceeding standards Peter Röhrig, founder of MAM, said, that safety has been at the core of the business since it was established in 1976. Ever since then, the focus of the company has been on the development of products for the wellbeing and health of babies. Because babies and young children are a particularly vulnerable group, MAM puts the utmost care and attention to support and protect them. “When it comes to the question ‘Perfect design, medically tested functionality or safety?’, the answer is ‘all three’. Together, we design products that best support babies in their individual and natural development”, explained Mr Röhrig. From the beginning, product development at MAM has been very focused. As Mr Röhrig explains: “For us, it’s not about the number of innovations: it’s about creating products that have intrinsic value, based on an understanding of what babies and parents actually need.” This approach has become a central part of MAM Baby’s DNA. Medical research, technical expertise and innovation make MAM Baby the world’s leading brand in baby product design. Through close contact with science and research organisations, MAM developers are able to stay-ahead. That is why, for example, all MAM baby products have been made from materials free of BPA and BPS - for years. One of MAM’s core products is an anti-colic bottle whose vented base ensures that 80% of babies experience less colic and regurgitation. Another MAM-innovation is a soother is designed to reduce the risk of misaligned teeth. It is not only recommended by medical experts due to its extra thin and flexible teat neck but also clinically proven to support healthy tooth and jaw development. The company has also played a leading role in standardisation, both in Austria and at the EU level. “The first standard we helped develop in the EU was for a soother holder. We would never have achieved such a high level of standards had we not worked together with 27 other countries and many international specialists”, Mr Röhrig said. “So many different perspectives lead to brilliant results!” Mr Röhrig concluded by saying that he was a happy European. “Only the EU could have made it possible to work together with all these experts, developing standards at such a high level. The world relies on European standards. This is great for the world and great for Europe. We are world-class.”

Mega Disposables, Greece Babylino sensitive nappies: kind to baby’s skin Lida Vitouladitou, Sales and Marketing Director at Mega Disposables, said that the company, founded in 1981, exported personal hygiene disposables to more than 35 countries. What makes the firm different is its attention to nappies safety. We set this as our top priority, she said. “While most brands talk about absorbency, we talk about skin safety. We were the first nappy to get Oeko Tex certification.”

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Safety considerations cover product design, machinery and the installation of quality assurance systems. Textiles are tested for substances according to the most stringent criteria. Testing is also carried out at dermatological institutions in France, Germany, Italy and the UK. The quality control systems we have in place go beyond typical control systems, said Ms Vitouladitou. Common systems are unable to detect small deviations. The cameras we have installed can check practically everything. “It is worth investing in safety. This has brought higher market share and brand loyalty. Thanks to delivering on the promise of safety, we have a leading position in the Greek market, and long-term manufacturing contracts.” A participant asked whether word of mouth was a key to success. Ms Vitouladitou agreed that this was a key factor. Customers talk on social media and share views. We monitor social media and the feedback is extremely positive, she said. Another participant focused on the investment in cameras. “Common quality control systems are often unable to detect small, yet often significant, deviations from the product specifications set in the systems,” Ms Vitouladitou replied. “In a fast and continuous production of 800 – 1500 ppm, it is impossible to ensure 100% inspection, unless you invest in high speed camera systems that ensure the strictest compliance with the specifications of each product.” These cameras enable the company to check practically everything. They are placed strategically at different parts of the production line; there can be as many as ten per machine. Defective products are automatically rejected, along with the products immediately before and after, controlling each single piece produced. “This is a higher cost but worth it, ensuring the strict observance of quality and safety standards in the most accurate way. ”

Reima, Finland Outdoor wear for kids: wearable safety all year round Shahriare Mahmood, R&D and Sustainability Director of Reima, said that the Finnish company was focused on championing active childhood and raising a generation for the future. "The first thing we think about when designing our clothes is functionality and safety, he said. This could be a jacket that needs to perform in minus 20 degrees. Similarly, rain shouldn’t stop kids going outside. Clothes are UV-protected for sunny weather. We work on durability and enhanced comfort, and go beyond the regulations, said Mr Mahmood. Success in different countries – the company exports to over 70 – means that many different regulations must be followed. “This is easier if you set yourself the target to go beyond regulations,” he said. Some examples of this include the fact that all clothing is free from phthalates, PVC and PFC among others. This is because kids can put clothes in their mouth. Nanomaterials are also not used as their safety has not been conclusively proven. Permethrin is not used in anti-mosquito products, even though this slowed up development. A plant-based solution was found instead. In terms of physical safety, Mr Mahmood noted that heavy clothes have detachable hood to avoid the risk of strangulation. The company also works with standardisation groups at the national and international level.

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Quality assurance is another important aspect. Quality controllers spend a lot of time with suppliers in factories. Materials and components are inspected, bulk material is approved, and various clothing parts tested before a final inspection. “This is an extensive process, but it is our priority to assure quality.” After prototype and commercial sampling, testing is carried out with kids in real life conditions. Mr Mahmood noted that the company maintains extensive data. This means that we can check, compare and act quickly if we find something, he said. A participant asked about constraints on safety in the fashion sector. Mr Mahmood replied that Reima has taken a different route, focusing on durable, high quality clothing for kids, designed to last generations. “The idea is that timeless design will be relevant in years to come. The key thing is their durability.” The Commission concluded that the different products and processes presented during the workshop have one thing in common: they all put safety at core of their business and as such deserve recognition and publicity.

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2. Award ceremony

Introduction Méabh McMahon, Moderator, opened the gala ceremony for this very first European Commission's Product Safety Award. "This event is about recognising eight inspiring companies that have gone above and beyond EU requirements for greater children’s safety", she said. Ms McMahon thanked Commissioner Věra Jourová for her dedication over the past five years and invited her to deliver some keynote words. Commissioner Jourová said that she was delighted to have organised this award, which celebrates and praises innovation, safety and responsibility. Looking back over her time as Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Commissioner, she said that she was happy that consumers are more informed about their rights. “Working for consumers has always been dear to me because it is about doing something for citizens. Having high standards of consumer protection affects everyday life in the EU.” The Moderator asked whether economic operators are paying more attention to safety. Commissioner Jourová replied that doing so is in their interest. "We want consumers to be demanding she said, especially when it comes to kids. Safety criteria should be of the highest standard". “I call on all companies to make consumer protection their top priority, so that our children, families and friends are safe", said the Commissioner. "There is no better investment than in consumer trust.”

Large companies Tanya Vandenberghe -Jury member and senior programme manager of child safety and domestic appliances, ANEC (the European consumer voice in standardisation) - said she was honoured to be part of the Jury. “Focusing on kids’ products is important because this is a vulnerable group of consumers. Rewarded companies an example to other manufacturers to go that extra mile and to put children’s safety at the top of the agenda.”

Special mention Special Mention went to MAM Baby, Austria. The award was presented jointly by Tanya Vandenberghe and Helmuth Perz from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection, and accepted by Peter Roerig. Ms Vandenberghe explained that the jury was impressed by the company’s robust internal safety processes and applauded the firm’s role in standardisation on soothers and feeding equipment, helping raise the level of safety throughout industry. “This Award shows how the EU can encourage companies to bring a better future”, said Mr Roerig. “It is a great moment for the whole MAM group, that we are being recognised for what we are doing. This will help us to develop only perfect products in the future.”

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Bronze Award The Bronze Award went to Mega Disposables, Greece. The award was presented jointly by by Tanya Vandenberghe and Nikos Papathanasis, Greek Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade and Consumer Protection, and accepted by Lida Vitouladitou. "The Jury appreciated that the company went the extra mile to ensure there were no traces of harmful substances in its nappies", said Ms Vandenberghe. It is the first product of its kind to receive Oeko Tex certification. Internal cameras offer continuous safety and quality control. “Our safety focus has helped to build trust in our brand,” said Ms Vitouladitou. “We are deeply honoured and privileged that our products embrace life from the very first day, and we see this as a great responsibility. This award shows that all these efforts have been worthwhile.”

Silver Award The Silver Award went to Cybex, Germany. The award was presented jointly by Commissioner Věra Jourová and Susanne Szech-Koundouros, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to the EU, and accepted by Dr Nikolai Geissler. "This stroller is an impressive combination of safety and design. From all-wheel suspension to visibility in the dark and one-hand folding, every detail is thought through to keep the baby safe and comfortable", said the Commissioner. “Our advice to other companies is to treat child safety with the outmost priority,” said Mr Geissler. “You should make sure that all products meet the highest requirements that you would expect for your child as a parent.

Gold Award The Gold Award went to Reima, Finland. The award was presented jointly by Commissioner Věra Jourová and Timo Harakka, Finnish minister of employment, and accepted by Shahriare Mahmood. “Child safety is a common value, and Finland is extremely proud of Reima”, said Mr Harakka on presenting the award. “As a father, I’ve passed on Reima clothing to other kids - this is a good example of the circular economy!” "Your clothes are not just smaller versions of adult clothes but are designed with children's needs and behaviour in mind", said the Commissioner. "My personal favourite is the inclusion of reflective details in autumn and winter clothes to protect children from road accidents in the dark." “I believe that product safety should be an integral part of sustainability,” said Mr Mahmood. “This award is fantastic.”

SMEs Jury member Kristi Talving, Deputy Secretary-General for Internal Market at the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, said that the Award is great initiative to spread the message that product safety is a worthwhile investment. “Product safety offers pioneering companies a great opportunity to stand out, to make a difference, and to build consumer trust,” she said.

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Special Mention Special Mention went to Mippaa, The Netherlands. The award was presented jointly by Kristi Talving and Maarten Smit from the Dutch Permanent Representation to the EU and accepted by Patrick Degenkamp. Ms Talving noted that stairs are the leading cause of accidents in small children and explained that the Jury was especially taken by this special handrail for children to minimise risks. “When I became a concerned parent, I wanted to make homes safer for children,” said Mr Degenkamp. “What we have developed is a totally new concept, and I hope that this award will help to generate more awareness. I am proud of the whole Mippaa team.”

Bronze Award The Bronze Award went to Reer, Germany. The award was presented jointly by Kristi Talving and Susanne Szech-Koundouros, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to the EU, and accepted by Tim Lorenz. Ms Talving commended the company on its simple and easy solutions for preventing some of the most common child-related accidents at home. “Child safety is our mission,” said Mr Lorenz. “All our actions and goals go towards supporting that. At the end of the day, it takes people who care. I think this is one of the best jobs in the world.”

Silver Award The Silver Award went to Evomove, Denmark. The award was presented jointly by Commissioner Věra Jourová and Mette Sorensen from the Danish Safety Technology Authority and accepted by Rune Gitz-Johansen. “This is truly a next-generation highchair, combining modern design with top safety features", said the Commissioner. "The anti-tilt roller shows how a simple invention can make a huge safety difference". “Safety is part of our DNA,” said Mr Gitz-Johansen. “Safety is first in all aspects of our product and is part of the DNA of our employees as well. I’m very honoured to accept this award on behalf of our designer, who has dedicated his life to making the world a safer place.”

Gold Award The Gold Award went to Remmy, Italy. The award was presented jointly by Commissioner Věra Jourová and Gaetano Moccia from the Italian Permanent Representation to the EU and accepted by Michele Servalli. “Each year, several infants die as a result of being left in overheated cars", said the Commissioner. "Let me congratulate you for developing the world's first device to prevent this from happening. This is a life-saving invention!” Mr Mocchia said that he felt very proud that a young Italian, European company developed such a valuable and innovative device. "There needs to be much more communication about this sensitive issue,” said Mr Servalli. “This is a reward for our hard work. But it also gives us the means to continue to do everything possible to protect children.”

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