A framework analysis of the Action Plan for Import Safety (APIS)

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of the Action Plan for Import Safety (APIS) presented to the President of the United States to establish public policy to address the record number of foreign safety product recalls that occurred in 2007. In the US, there were 473 recalls of more than 100 million products in 2007, most of which involved Chinese manufacturers. A conceptual framework is presented that outlines the critical elements that must exist in quality management efforts that involve contractual agreements similar to those involving Chinese manufacturers. The framework is used to identify the points of intersection between the APIS and recent findings in quality management research and to delineate the overall strengths and weaknesses of the APIS.