Developing a Consumer Product Safety Check Tool for Mobile Devices

Abstract

This Master’s thesis focuses on creating a proof-of-concept version of a mobile application, where consumers can easily check the most relevant safety related issues of a consumer product. In addition, the application includes functions designed to assist the market surveillance activities of the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency Tukes.

The literature review focuses on determining the current knowledge related to and influencing the usability of software applications, the effectiveness of information and furthermore, the aspects influencing the safety education.

The current consumer behavior regarding the knowledge about product safety and safe use of consumer products was studied by conducting a quantitative questionnaire study, in which respondents represented the adult Finnish population with three percentage point margin of error at 95 percent confidence level.

The current product safety components of consumer products were examined generally, and in two example contexts, by analyzing the relevant laws, regulations and standards.

Based on the knowledge obtained from the literature review and the current state analysis, a proof-of-concept version of a mobile application was developed, which includes the following three different functions; 1. enables consumers to easily send notifications to Tukes, 2. enables consumers to check if a specific product is deemed dangerous or non-compliant by authorities and 3. includes product safety related information of consumer products.

The usability of the proof-of-concept version of the mobile application was validated by qualitative focus group discussion session, from which suggestion for further development was also gathered.

The usability of the proof-of-concept version of the mobile application was validated by a discussion session of a qualitative focus group, from which suggestions for further development were also gathered.