The first ever European Product Safety Awards were presented on Thursday evening, 26 September, by the European Commissioner for Justice and Consumers, Věra Jourová, to eight businesses from EU Member States, honoured for their efforts to improve childcare safety.
The European award for European safety, launched last February, rewards companies that go beyond the requirements set by EU legislation to ensure consumer safety (see EUROPE 12201/27).
The Commission's objective is to encourage other businesses to do the same and to raise consumer awareness of their right to find only safe products on the market.
The gold, silver and bronze awards, as well as a ‘special mention’ were awarded to four SMEs and four large businesses that excel in the safety of childcare products.
In the 'SME' category, the gold award went to: Remmy (Italy), for its car alert system that can save lives by alerting a driver when a child is left in a car. The following were also awarded: Evomove (Denmark), Reer (Germany) and Mippaaa (Netherlands).
In the 'large companies' category, the gold award went to Rima Oy (Finland) for safe clothing, even in the dark. The following were also awarded: Cybex (Germany), Mega Disposables (Greece), and MAM Baby (Austria). The award is open to companies from the 31 countries of the European Economic Area. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)