Identification of Product Safety-relevant Tasks for Global Automotive Manufacturers

Product Safety has become a lot more relevant in recent years. For instance, have re-calls quadrupled in Europe in the eight years between 2004 and 2012. The risks for global manufacturer became enormous. This study presents a framework that positions Product Safety in the light of Risk Management. It thereby outlines, that manufacturing organizations need to know which of their activities have impact on Product Safety. Based on this, a systematic four-step method was presented of how global automotive manufacturers can identify their individual tasks and processes that have a proven impact on Product Safety. Therefore, criteria that improve Product Safety and minimize liability risks have been developed. The application of this method allows organizations to identify their individual Product Safety Core Tasks. This represents a basis for the development of a special treatment and attention to those activities, thereby ensuring their conformity and minimizing liability risks.