Time To Get Tough About Safety

Lately, more than one unsafe IT product has come to light, and I've heard unsettling things about numerous companies trying to fake their safety certifications. This is more than deja vu all over again.

Case in point is Lexmark's recent recall of a family of laser printers due to a potential shock hazard. I applaud Lexmark's recall effort but can't help but wonder why the problem wasn't uncovered before more than 39,000 units were sold. I'm sure Lexmark's OEM partners, IBM and Dell, not to mention its solution providers and their customers, are wondering the same thing. In the end, a client will hold their solution provider responsible for any disruption.

Speaking of OEMs, another safety problem I've come across demonstrates that today's multitiered product development, assembly and/or distribution process dramatically complicates safety assurance and certification for vendors.

While designing data-center air-conditioning units for volume production, APC turned to a vendor of flexible exhaust ducts to complete its SKU. The vendor told APC the hoses met Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards, implying the components had been certified. Not only didn't they meet safety standards; they had only been "certified internally." Fortunately, APC did its own testing, uncovered the lack of compliance and sought another duct vendor.

Perhaps the most disturbing anecdote comes from a UL acquaintance of mine. Currently, UL is working very hard to clamp down on abuses of its logo and standards, particularly overseas. Many companies are claiming UL compliance with little or no justification for the claim. Unfortunately, UL is fighting this noble battle in the wake of major layoffs.

Given the web of interrelationships and trust necessary to bring even a single product to market, there are no easy methods for ensuring safety compliance. However, I do think it is appropriate, even necessary, for solution providers to loudly voice compliance concerns to vendors before this trend gets much worse.

Third-party advocates such as UL perform a vital service in and out of the channel and need our support before they and all of us fall on even harder times.

Do you have something to say about the state of product design? Let me know via e-mail at [email protected].