Why Product Safety Is Crucial to the Manufacturing Industry

Keeping consumers protected and happy is the key

Published: Tuesday, December 20, 2022 - 13:01

(The Manufacturer: Commerce, CA) -- Manufacturing has come a long way from the simple assembly lines of the past. Its current implementation of digital technology has made it safer, faster, and more cost-effective. Certain sectors, particularly the food industry, have benefited from its constant advancements.

But amid all of this, one thing remains important: the satisfaction and safety of consumers. This is why product safety is such a key aspect of manufacturing. No amount of production optimization can be worth anything if it doesn’t follow consumer safety standards. This guide can serve as your introduction or refresher on why this matters.

What is product safety?

Product safety is the potential of a product to be safe for consumers. Any product placed on retail shelves should not put anyone at risk, and it should meet the standards for its intended use. This involves following established rules and guidelines on packaging, sanitation, preservation, and the like. Violation of such rules rightly subjects manufacturers to recalls or litigation.

To aid firms in following these standards, companies such as TDI Packsys offer a variety of packaging and inspections designed to reduce contaminants or unwanted components in their products. These have vastly improved the quality of the consumables we enjoy today.

Why is product safety crucial?

Breaches or contamination can occur at all stages of the manufacturing process. This can lead to serious problems, such as food poisoning or hardware malfunctions, which not only reduce product value but endanger consumers.

Here are more specific reasons why product safety is crucial:

1. Reduces the risk of foodborne illness

As mentioned before, the food sector in particular must follow safety standards. Food products can come in contact with particles and pathogens at any point in the production cycle. Consumption of these products may result in food poisoning with common symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.

Some people are highly susceptible to this, including young children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems because of medical conditions like diabetes and liver disease.

Safety standards in food processing facilities are crucial, which is why equipment that detects foreign particles and other contaminants is used to ensure food safety. Manufacturing plants also follow strict protocols in food handling and sanitation, and have regular training and certification of their staff to ensure that knowledge and skills are updated.

2. Eliminates the potential to cause serious harm

In the tech sector, using poor-quality parts and incorrect assembly may cause serious harm. For example, stories of smartphones exploding and injuring people proliferated in 2016. This was due to electrolytes in the batteries producing gas that eventually built up and exploded, leaving buyers with burns and other injuries.

The manufacturing company had to do a global recall of their phones, and spent much time and money testing new products to ensure their safety for consumer use. The company also did many rigorous battery tests, and even stopped the production of one of its popular models. Had this level of vigilance been practiced from the beginning, it’s safe to assume such a debacle would never have happened.

3. Protects your company’s standing

Inadvertently causing harm to consumers shouldn’t happen. Business owners are morally obliged to keep products in the best condition for consumer use. Once your clients lose their trust in your business, you will have difficulty regaining that trust. Even your most loyal customers might think twice or thrice about buying from you.

An extensive public relations strategy might be your only solution to recover from this—that is, if the damage is not too great. Otherwise, the more logical choice is to save face by cutting your losses somehow.

A simple procedural guideline for all your employees to adhere to can ensure product safety. Many companies regularly perform training and certifications to update their staff’s knowledge, especially for newly rolled-out procedures in their operations.

4. Helps you avoid business closures

The natural end of any product safety breach that goes unaddressed is a long series of losses that may leave your business in the red.

You may end up filing for bankruptcy to recoup your losses. Since you may have incurred loans to build and expand your business, this should give you a little leeway from creditors to make good on your obligations.

As a business owner, it is your moral obligation to ensure that all production safety procedures are implemented in your facility. Doing this prevents your business from risking a permanent shutdown due to legal violations.

Conclusion

Consumers play a big role in the growth of a business. That’s why businesses in manufacturing must prioritize them at all times. They must comply with the latest industry standards and be updated with the latest trends to continue their goal of serving consumer needs.

Reevaluate your firm’s safety protocols today.

About The Author

Quality Digest

For 40 years Quality Digest has been the go-to source for all things quality. Our newsletter, Quality Digest, shares expert commentary and relevant industry resources to assist our readers in their quest for continuous improvement. Our website includes every column and article from the newsletter since May 2009 as well as back issues of Quality Digest magazine to August 1995. We are committed to promoting a view wherein quality is not a niche, but an integral part of every phase of manufacturing and services.