Nutrition safety and action against domestic accidents are nowadays taken more into consideration by health and consumer policies. COFACE appreciates this development, as it has been one of its objectives for many years.
In fact, already in 1993, COFACE organized a survey among 4000 European consumers in order to test their knowledge of the danger symbols on products' labels. The results of the survey showed that many of the symbols are unknown. With the support of the European Commission COFACE published a booklet aiming to inform consumers about the warning symbols occurring on household products. In the beginning of the 2000s COFACE supported the creation of the European agency - European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which launched its activities in 2002. Presently COFACE reaffirms its commitment for the safety of European families. In the position statement on the general product security directive, which is in force since 15 January 2004, COFACE reminds that security of children was fundamental. Products causing the most risk are toys. The awareness of families regarding the security of children is therefore a priority of COFACE.
Regarding the security of families COFACE would like to achieve three principal aims:
- Influence European authorities to draw their attention to the problems of food and household security;
- Set up a partnership with its members and with other organizations to promote the security of families;
- Provide our members with instruments to facilitate the support of the best use of household products by families in Europe.
Advocating a safe consumer approach in families means ensuring them better life quality. Therefore COFACE is committed to the accomplishment of those three missions.
