The Consumer Affairs Agency announced the registration of consumer accident information other than serious accidents to the Accident Information Database based on Article 12, Paragraph 2 of the Consumer Safety Act.
Information Collection System Based on the Consumer Safety Act
Article 12, Paragraph 2 of the Consumer Safety Act mandates the notification of consumer accidents from local governments, the National Consumer Affairs Center, and related administrative agencies to the Consumer Affairs Agency. This legal framework establishes a system where consumer accident information occurring nationwide is centrally collected by the Consumer Affairs Agency. This announcement signifies the registration of accident information collected through this statutory notification system to the Accident Information Database accessible to the general public, aiming to ensure transparency and promote utilization of consumer accident information.
Social Significance of the Accident Information Database
The Accident Information Database serves as an important information infrastructure for understanding the occurrence patterns and trends of consumer accidents and contributing to preventing similar accidents. The registered information includes details such as the content of accidents related to products and services, occurrence circumstances, and extent of damage, made available for use by consumers, businesses, researchers, and related organizations. This database functions as material for consumers to make safe product choices, as well as for businesses to consider product improvements and safety measures, and for research institutions to analyze accidents.
Importance of Accident Information Other than Serious Accidents
The "consumer accidents other than serious accidents" targeted for registration this time refer to accidents that caused some damage to consumers' life, body, or property but did not result in death or serious illness. Even these relatively minor accidents, when accumulated, function as important safety information and can be utilized as precursors to prevent future serious accidents. Even minor accidents, when occurring repeatedly with the same product or frequently with specific usage methods, become important information suggesting design problems in products or inadequacies in instruction manuals.
Strengthening Consumer Protection through Information Disclosure
Disclosing accident information is important in terms of guaranteeing consumers' right to know and providing information for consumers to protect their own safety. Ensuring transparency of accident information is also expected to provide incentive effects for businesses to improve product safety. The detailed information provided as published materials (PDF: 194.3KB) enables stakeholders to understand specific accident patterns and causes, making it possible to implement appropriate countermeasures.
Construction of Continuous Safety Monitoring System
This announcement was made on August 21 and is handled by the Consumer Safety Division of the Consumer Affairs Agency, indicating the establishment of a continuous and prompt accident information collection and disclosure system. Such regular information updates enable understanding of the latest consumer accident trends and implementing timely warnings and safety measures, contributing to preventing the expansion of consumer damage.
The article represents fundamental consumer administration activities that aim to ensure consumer safety and accident prevention through systematic accident information collection and disclosure based on legal grounds, contributing to improving safety awareness throughout society through information transparency and utilization possibilities.