Expert Details
Consumer Safety, Metrology, Market Surveillance, Product safey, Accreditation, Government
ID: 733249
Belgium
He is also the past President of the Advisory Board of the internet-supported information and communication system for the pan-European market surveillance of technical products (ICSMS), representing Belgium as one of the founding members of the system.
Expert has been active as a market surveillance officer since 1996 on a wide scope of subjects including legal and scientific metrology; explosives, general product safety, safety of toys, safety of services, safety of lifts and the safety of gas distribution and transportation (pipelines).
He became the senior advisor on consumer safety to the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister in 2003 .
He is currently Head of Department of Safety responsible for public, consumer and product safety.
He holds a masters degree in mechanical and electrotechnical engineering from Brussels Free University (VUB-1988).
• National Data Base Administrator of the European Injury Database
• Coordinator of the Belgian Central Contact Point for Consumer Safety
• Member of the (Belgian) National Council for Accreditation and Certification
Short term seni:
Provision of technical assistance to support China's integration into the world trading systems
Twinning project of the Netherlands and Turkey on consumer safety surveillance and information systems
Evaluation of the Macedonian legislation on consumer safety in view of the European acquis
Strengthening of quality assurance services for the promotion of selected value chains in Colombia to the Superintendencia de Industria y Commercio
Supporting the national quality infrastructure in the Palestinian Territories : a study on market surveillance
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1988 | Degree: Master of Science in Engineering | Subject: Mechanical - electrotechnical | Institution: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Free University of Brussels - Belgium) |
| Year: 1999 | Degree: Certified Playground Safety inspector | Subject: Safety of Playgrounds (ASTM standard) | Institution: NRPA National Playground Safety Institute (USA) |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2016 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Head of Division Safety | Department: Safety |
Responsibilities:Head of Department of SafetyThe Department of Safety is responsible for regulatory aspects and market surveillance of Consumer and Public Safety in Belgium: - safety of products - safety of services - explosives (including fireworks) - gas transportation and distribution |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2009 to 2015 | Employer: FOD Economie/ SPF Economie/ FPS Economy | Title: Head of Unit – Regional Surveillance Unit "Quality and Safety -North” | Department: Safety |
Responsibilities:- Consumer safety (products and services)- Public safety (gas distribution and transport (pipelines)) - Explosives - Legal metrology (including prepackaging) The unit is responsible for market surveillance 'in the field' for the Northern part of Belgium and Brussels |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2008 to 2017 | Employer: Prosafe (Product Safety Enforcement Forum of Europe) | Title: Chairman Prosafe | Department: Management |
Responsibilities:Chairman of the board, Representing market surveillance officers in the field of consumer safety of all European countries (members of the Council of Europe). |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2008 to 2009 | Employer: Belgian Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs (FPS Economy) | Title: Attaché - Coordinator of the Central Contact Point for Consumer Safety | Department: Safety |
Responsibilities:- Management of the Belgian RAPEX system (European Rapid Information Exchange System on Consumer Products)- Support of the Belgian Commission on Consumer Safety. A federal advisory committee on consumer safety with representatives of government, consumer organisations, enterprises, testing laboratories and experts. - Contact point for the ICSMS system: Internet-supported information and communication system for pan-European market surveillance of technical products |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2003 to 2008 | Employer: Office of the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Budget and Consumer Affairs | Title: Advisor - Expert on Consumer Safety | Department: Consumer Affairs |
Responsibilities:-Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Budget and Consumer Affairs-Coordinator of the Central Contact Point for Consumer Safety -National Data Base Administrator of the European Injury Data Base -Vice Chairman |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1996 to 2003 | Employer: Belgian Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs (FPS Economy) | Title: Market surveillance Officer | Department: Safety |
Responsibilities:Market surveillance:- general product safety - safety of toys - safety of services - safety of lifts - safety of cableways - PPE - safety of gas distribution and transportation(pipelines) |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1992 to 1993 | Employer: CUBIC | Title: Quality Assurance Engineer | Department: Quality Assurance |
Responsibilities:Quality Assurance of :- administrative software: - stock management software |
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Career Accomplishments
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Technical Auditor ISO 17020 (Belgian Accreditation Authority BELAC) Technical Auditor ISO 17020 in training (Dutch Accreditation Authority RVA) |
Additional Experience
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| - Project Leader of "Joint Market Surveillance Action on GPSD products- Co-funded by the European Union - Task leader "fireworks" of the "Joint Market Surveillance Action on GPSD Products" - Co-funded by the European Commission - Member of the National Council for Accreditation and Certification - Belgian delegation leader - Technical Expert/Auditor BELAC (Belgian Accreditation System) - Work Package CoordinatorWP2- EMARS "Enhancement of Market Surveillance in Europe through Best Practice Techniques" - Short term senior EU expert: - Provision of technical assistance to support China's integration into the world trading systems - Twinning project of the Netherlands and Turkey on consumer safety surveillance and information systems - Evaluation of the Macedonian legislation on consumer safety in view of the European acquis - Short term seni: - Strengthening of quality assurance services for the promotion of selected value chains in Colombia - Supporting the national quality infrastructure in the Palestinian Territories (95307/BMZ 2015.2185.5) : a study on market surveillance - Myanmar Trade Development Programme : Consumer Protection, Consumer protection strategy, Product safety and market surveillance - Egypt: Trade & Domestic Market Engancement Program. Technical Assistance on Industrial Development & Quality Infrastructure - Saudi Arabia : SASO Initiative on Product Safety - Auditor ISO/IEC 17020 (Belgian Accreditation Authority BELAC) - Invited speaker for EIPA (European Institute of Public Administration) on market surveillance and free movement of goods - Former member of the Committee of Directive 2001/95/EC on General product safety - Former member of the RAPEX Contact Points Committee - Guest speaker on numerous European and International conferences (ICPHSO (USA), Inmetro (Brazil), CEOC (Spain),... |
| Other Relevant Experience |
|---|
| Certified Playground Safety Inspector (United States 1999) Belgian delegation leader CEN/TC136/SC1 – Playground equipment Technical Expert/Auditor BELAC (Belgian Accreditation System) Invited speaker for EIPA (European Institute of Public Administration) on market surveillance and free movement of goods Former member of the Committee of Directive 2001/95/EC on General product safety Former member of the RAPEX Contact Points Committee Co-author of Safety of inflatable play equipment |
Language Skills
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| Dutch | Native |
| English | Fluent |
| French | Fluent |
| German | Notions |