Objective

Along with globalization and highly advanced technology, there are an increasing variety of consumer products, as well as their complicated functions and usage. That involved a great deal of overseeing risks and regulations among multiple countries. To address product safety hazards, there are governmental organizations, for example, CPSC (Consumer product safety committee) found in the United States, to protect their own country civil from unreasonable risks of injuries or/and deaths pertaining to consumer products. The followings are the common strategies: collecting information and monitoring injury and death statistics related to the use of products based on evidences and testing Development of voluntary safety standards and strengthening mandatory standards to tighten the inherent safety requirements; Implementation of enforcement, for example, production corrective actions, recalls, litigations and other routes to comply with the corresponding standards Draw public awareness about product safety alerts and potential hazards Fostering governmental Coordination among countries to ensure compliance with local contracts and regulatory. strive for customer satisfaction and assure products qualities and functionalities apart from customers, other stakeholders though supply chain like manufactures, third accredited parties, suppliers, retailers and others will get the benefits indirectly or/and directly owing to effective and efficient transactions [1] Customer product reliabilities can be verified by laboratory testing, product inspection, and product certification, even they are related to factory audit assessments and technical assistances. In addition, products themselves include its parts, assemblies, labels and packages. The way to conduct a full range of product checking mentioned above is the aim to ensure the products as fine at protecting consumers and fulfilling their expectations. [2]

Introduction

The Virus Zero SP-PA4 is a portable air purifier for domestic usage: The below table demonstrate its detail product specification: Power consumption: 4 W Rating Voltage: AC/DC12V / Adapter input Dimensions: 6.3 in. (h) x 2.5 in.(w) x 2.5 in. (d) Maximum Noise Level: 29 dB Use in domestic usage (homes and vehicles) None of HEPA, electrostatic, particle, carbon filer Weight 1lbs Plug Type US Certification: ARB CERTIFIED 1 Year Limited Manufacturer's Warranty Effect of air purifier up to 231 Sq. Ft. Target market in USA

Product photos

FMEA table
To identify all possible failure in its competent and design, Failure mode and effects analysis is applied. The particular parts and items are

separated into different rows. There are four ratings: i) ii) iii) Severity (SEV) is determined on a scale from 1 to 10, in which one is insignificant and ten is catastrophic. Occurrence (OCCUR) calculates the chance of failure occurring for that potential cause during the lifetime of the air purifier usage. It is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, in which one is extremely unlikely and ten is inevitable. Detection (DETEC) estimates how the current controls can be detected from either the cause or its failure mode before the customer is affected. It is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, where one means the failure mode is absolutely certain to be detected whereas ten means the failure mode is certain not to be detected iv) Risk priority number (RPN) is equal to SEV OCCUR DETEC. Failure Mode Potential Effect of failure Potential Cause Mechanism of failure S E V O C C U R Case Case Malfunction of earthing Short circuit Electric shock overheat / fire / explosion/ Burn human skin Exposed metal part cant connect with the ground -Poor insulation of the machine frame/cable - spark or smoke when filters are susceptible to the accumulation of combustible deposit inadequate heat and flame retardant capabilities in some plastic parts Wire Failure of cable insulation Electric shock Poor coverage of cable insulation 10 3 5 150 10 10 3 3 D E T E C 8 7 240 210 R P N In each row, the relevant standards are to mitigate the hazards as recommended action(s) Parts/Ite m

Ionizer

Ozone Discharged

Irritation of skin and eyes, harmful to respiratory system

Ionizer react with oxygen to form Ozone

125

Galvanize d Coating

Lead content exceed the limit

Destroy human central nervous system

Poor raw material use (e.g. electrolyte)

124

Product testing
No ozone emissions with compliance of UL 867 Standard. [3]

Recommendation
Product certification Pursuant to guideline of Air Resource Board (ARB), the definition of indoor air cleaning device is to diminish the airborne pollutants, for example dusts, smoke, odorous chemicals, microbes and allergens from the air around an enclosed area for any air cleaning purpose. The product will be either used in a whole house or room, or in a vehicle, or being attached to any indoor surface (e.g. wall, ceiling) with its working principle but not limited to ionizers, electrostatic precipitators, plasma cluster devices, UV ozone generators, or simple mechanical filter typed air cleaners and other technologies. The product with multiple functions which include an air cleaner or a component claimed to clean the air shall be regarded as an indoor air cleaning device no matter whether it is a primary purpose or not. [7] Effective from October 18, 2010, only certified indoor air cleaner(s), which is/are sold or introduced into commerce in California, are allowed and legal to exist in a store, online market or other routes. [7] Both of manufacturers of an indoor air cleaning and certification organizations/ professional associations on behalf of the manufacturers that sold in California are required to submit the application of ARB certification. [6] ARB CERTIFIED label

Again, effective from October 18, 2011, required label, which stated This air cleaner complies with the federal ozone emissions limit. ARB certified (the sample label is shown on right side) can be found on the package indicating certification. Until October 1, 2012, this label can only be an adhesive sticker, no printing on the package is allowed. [7] According to Section 94806 of the regulation specifies that the size of label must be 1 inch (height) by 2 inches (Width) at least, easily visible to the consumer on the top or side of the package, rather than the bottom of the package.[6] Certification Mark The electrical safety testing ensures the air purifier to comply with ANSI / UL Standard 867 and must display the certification marks like UL Listed or/and ETL Listed. (Please refer to right photos)

Reference
[1] 2011ANNUALREPORTTO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS United States Consumer Product Safety Commission 2011 http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/123357/2011rpt.pdf [2] Transit Testing for Consumer Products http://www.bureauveritas.com/wps/wcm/connect/bv_com/group/home/about-us/ourbusiness/our-business-consumer-products/industries/hardlines/transit+testing, 2013 [3] Virus Zero Portable Air Purifier SP-PA4 http://www.filtersfast.com/mobile/P-Virus-Zero-Portable-Air-Purifier-SP-PA4.asp, 2011 [4] Virus Zero Portable Air Sterilizer for Your Home, Office, and Automobile - SP-PA4 http://www.sylvane.com/virus-zero-portable-airpurifier.html, 2013 [5] User's Manual for the Virus Zero Portable Air Sterilizer User's Manual for the Virus Zero Portable Air Sterilizer http://www.sylvane.com/images/prodphoto/vi3117/virus-zero-portable-manual.pdf, Apr 2011

[6] Californias Regulation to Limit Ozone Emissions from Indoor Air Cleaning Devices, http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/aircleaners/faq.pdf , March 29, 2013 [7] Californias Regulation to Limit Ozone Emissions from Indoor Air Cleaning Devices, http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/acrfactsheet.pdf, Sep 28, 2009