Safety rules for robotics, 3D printing, Artificial Intelligence

The EPP Group wants consumer products containing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics and 3D printing to be safe. The existing product safety rules must be made fit for the digital age.

“We want strong safety rules for products sold in the EU, whether or not they are sold online or offline or produced in or outside the EU”, said Marion Walsmann MEP, the EPP Group's negotiator of Parliament's Report on Product Safety, ahead of the plenary debate this afternoon.

“The safety of products can decide on the matter of life or death. The current COVID crisis has shown us how dangerous, unsafe and faulty products can be. If you buy face masks for example, you must be 100 percent sure that they fulfil the requirements and protect you”, said Walsmann.

Walsmann stressed that for the upcoming revision of product safety rules in 2021, only existing legal gaps must be closed. “We must enhance product safety but avoid bureaucracy for SMEs that will hinder innovation”, she concluded.

The vote on the Product Safety Report that sets the European Parliament's position for the upcoming revision of product safety rules in 2021, will take place on Tuesday and the final vote on Wednesday.