Canada Reports on Surveillance Projects

Health Canada December 19 pointed to the results of four enforcement projects in the 2016-2017 fiscal year (ended March 31, 2017). Below are the brief overviews; the links include charts that show individual products' brands, names, and places of purchase as well as the agency's findings and any corrective actions taken.

• Children's Sleepwear: Health Canada sampled 151 products focused on flammability requirements. Results were 23 voluntary recalls, nine stop sales, 14 stop distributions, and two commitments to address noncompliance. It also sent six samples to its testing lab, and the results were one voluntary recall and two stop distributions. In 100 cases, there was no need for corrective action (bit.ly/2CiouzA).

 

• Consumer Chemical Containers: Health Canada looked at 49 products, and findings involved classification/definition, labeling, and data sources. Result were 12 voluntary recalls, seven stop distributions, 12 commitments to address noncompliance, and two discontinuations. In16 cases, there was no need for corrective actions (bit.ly/2loJ9YD).

 

• Pacifiers: Health Canada reviewed the compliance of 17 products, and findings involved small parts and labeling. Results were three voluntary recalls, one commitment to address noncompliance, and 13 cases needing no corrective actions (bit.ly/2Cg08qk).

 

• Toys: Health Canada looked at 36 products, and findings involved small parts, stretchable cords, and labeling. Results were two voluntary recalls from inspections, 12 voluntary recalls from testing, and 12 stop sales. In 10 cases there was no need for corrective actions (bit.ly/2CgjEQZ).

The findings are not representative of the market and, indeed, are likely worse. For each, Health Canada disclaimed:

"Products are not randomly selected but are chosen because they are deemed by the inspector to be more likely to not meet health and safety requirements due to characteristics that are observed. Due to this biased nature of sampling and the fact that sample sizes within [cyclical enforcement (CE)] projects are very small, the findings of CE projects are not intended to reflect overall market compliance unless otherwise stated. Note that these summary reports relate only to the product(s) actually tested and the specific criteria indicated."

Previously reported 2016-2017 projects (bit.ly/2vjjowu) involved expandable gates, textiles, seasonal lights, and cribs/cradles/bassinets.