News

SafetyTrack: Comply with Product Compliance Requirements with New Online Database

17 December 2004

SAN JOSE, Calif. - December 17, 2004 - The electronics industry has a multitude of product compliance requirements such as product safety and electromagnetic compatibility that producers and distributors must stay abreast of throughout the design and approvals process including certain administrative obligations. But that's not a simple task, thanks to constantly changing legislative developments, constrained access to information, and potential language barriers.

Sony Europe has responded by, initiating the development of SafetyTrack (www.safetytrack.org), an online database for the electronics sector that will store legislative requirements related to:

- Product Safety and Health (including EMF)
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
- Radio and Telecommunication

SafetyTrack is being developed by ESHconnect, BSI British Standards, and the European Organisation for Conformity Assessment (EOTC). The tool will make it faster and easier to comply with product compliance requirements by providing a comprehensive overview of the legal requirements in 52 jurisdictions focusing mainly on Europe but also selected countries in the Middle East, and specific Asian countries.

The product scope ranges from consumer electronics over IT-equipment, machinery, medical equipment to batteries and recording media intended for use in the products. (The scope of the database is currently orientated on Sony Europe's demands, but expansion to other areas is possible where further industry participation is given)

Safety-Track will deliver complete and up-to-date information through regular legislation tracking conducted by BSI and EOTC consultants. ESHconnect, an expert in the field of Environment, Safety and Health data management, will oversee database design and management.

“In order to encourage product compliance, information needs to be readily available,” said Charles Barker. “SafetyTrack will deliver high-quality information in not only in a user-friendly format but also at a competitive price, making it accessible to all.”

EOTC joined the project because it recognizes the benefits of such an online business tool. “SafetyTrack will be a best-practice management tool for companies that need to gather product compliance information,” said Adela Ruiz.

The concept has already been successfully implemented in the environmental area. Sony Europe, together with Matsushita, Electronics Industries Alliance (EIA), and ESHconnect, has expanded and enhanced the scope of EIATRACK (www.eiatrack.org), the world's most comprehensive online regulatory database for environmental product-related requirements. EIATRACK covers over 120 jurisdictions and more than 3,000 laws, including a complete Restricted Substance Database.

EIATRACK has exceeded user expectations by effectively connecting robust and timely content with leading-edge web-based technology. In its first three years, its annual subscriber renewal rate has exceeded 95%.

SafetyTrack aims to follow along the successful path of EIATrack not only taking advantage of a an excellent data management structure and expert knowledge but also use the strength and experience of industry partners in working together to achieve a common goal.


Andrew Sweatman, Vice President of Regulatory Tracking at ESHconnect and one of the key architects of EIATRACK, is building SafetyTrack. “Developing the SafetyTrack and in future expanding the scope of is a priority.” he said. “We want to improve service quality and continue to deliver highly reliable information to make sure that we fulfill the knowledge needs of subscribing companies and their operations at a competitive price.”

SafetyTrack will launch in May 2005. To increase its effectiveness, Sony Europe and ESHconnect are looking to share the database with electronics industry partners on an equal basis. Partners would not only share the costs equally but also have full rights in determining how widely to expand the scope of the database and how frequently to increase the review of information. The goal is to sign up enough industry partners to reduce the costs per company to $15,000 - $ 20,000, whilst also making system improvements.



Contact
For more information, please contact:

ESHconnect
Andrew Sweatman (Vice President)
sweatmana@eshconnect.com


--------


About ESHconnect
ESHconnect, Inc. is the leader in environmental, safety, and health (ESH) knowledge management solutions. It offers customers web-based tools to track and deliver ESH and risk management information through its international regulatory tracking REGconnect brands and eLearning solutions. The company is based in Silicon Valley, CA. For more information, visit www.eshconnect.com.

About BSI British Standards
BSI British Standards is the National Standards Body of the U.K., responsible for facilitating, drafting, publishing, and marketing British Standards and other guidelines. With collaborative ventures and a strong national and international profile, British Standards is at the heart of the world of standardization. It provides U.K. industry and other stakeholders with their major access to and influence on standardization, both in the European arena (with CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) and internationally (with ISO and IEC). British Standards' trading arm is BSI Business Information, which focuses on providing standards information and dynamic services that add value to business standards, best practice, and management systems. For more information, see www.bsi-global.com.

About European Organisation for Conformity Assessment
The European Organisation for Conformity Assessment, an independent and non-profit European body, was established in April 1990 by the European Commission, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and the European Standards Bodies. EOTC acts as a focal point for conformity assessment in Europe, but does not test or certify products and services. Members of EOTC are national and European bodies representing those with a stake in conformity assessment such as certification bodies, quality assessment bodies, test houses, laboratories, and inspectorates. For more information, see www.eotc.be.

Back to News