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Monday, 21 January 2008 | Levent OZLER
Concept 2008
The Baby Products Association announced the launch of Concept 2008 - an awards scheme that provides the perfect platform for inventors of products for babies and children to showcase their new ideas. Would-be inventors from all walks of life, from professional designer to enthusiastic newcomer, are invited to put forward their designs and prototypes.
Concept 2008 is looking for that innovative idea that will really make the difference to bringing up baby. This could be the start of a budding career in design, or the icing on the cake to a designer's established portfolio. Entrants could win the opportunity to display their invention to trade buyers at next year's BPA Baby and Child at the NEC, Birmingham, and go on to full production and huge sales as with previous finalists. Finalists also receive a cash prize.
Entries can be for nursery furniture and accessories, or for a wide range of nursery equipment including: carry cots and cots; wheeled items such as prams, pushchairs and buggies; child safety equipment such as harnesses reins and safety barriers; baby bouncers; baby carriers; high chairs; car seats; carry cradles; clothing; maternity wear; early learning toys; feeding and drinking equipment or products relating to body care.
This year's winner, Andrew Trainer, has been astounded at the interest in his Pouch Baby Carrier since being presented with the award in October. "Everything is going nuts at the moment! I made lots of contacts with manufacturers and distributors at BPA Baby and Child, and had my first meeting last week regarding obtaining a licensing deal. Entering Concept 2007 has definitely been worthwhile! Being able to showcase your product at an event where all the relevant contacts are together under one roof really makes things much easier."
Guidance Notes for Applicants
The BPA was established in 1945; it was set up with the objectives of promoting the baby and nursery products sector in both the UK and Europe and has become the voice of the nursery and baby products industry. Today we play an active role in the development of product standards and provide an umbrella of support and specialist services to our membership. The BPA actively encourages new product development and innovation in our industry, and have for a number of years, championed innovation and design awards called BPA Concept Awards. These are presented to the industry annually at the BPA Baby & Child. In the last three years we have seen four brand new innovations launched successfully on the UK market via BPA Concept. We believe it is important that our industry has a vibrant and proactive outlook on innovation and are determined that new products continue to come through and are developed with reference to the BPA and consequently meet all known safety standards.
Applicants are invited to consider the following aspects when submitting their application:
1. Use of Environmentally friendly/sustainable goods
2. Safety awareness/reduction of accidents
3. Today's and tomorrow's requirements/demand on parents in everyday living
Products should be within the following scope:
All baby and nursery products, baby related equipment such as prams, pushchairs, buggies, nursery furniture, highchairs, baby walking frames, safety related items including barriers, car seats and restraints, clothing, bedding, changing equipment, bath time equipment, feeding equipment, monitors and alarms, gifts for young children and prospective parents, toys, audio and books should be included. Accessories for all the above categories should also be included. Please note that this product must not be currently offered for sale.
What we are looking for
The issues you need to think about at this stage are:
What is the purpose of the product?
What age/weight range is it suitable for?
Is it novel, what would be its unique selling point(s)?
What leads you to believe that the product will sell?
How much will it cost to make the economic batch quantity and what will be the retail price of the product?
Is it safe? - which safety standard(s) are relevant to your product and is it likely to meet these standards?
What information should be included in the Instructions for Use, on the packaging, on the product itself and at the point of sale?
For products for which a safety standard has not been published and those that contain novel features, it may be necessary to consult CEN TC 13387:2004 - Child Care & Use Articles - General & Common Safety Guidelines.
Interested?
If you would like to enter this award, please complete the attached entry form and together with engineering drawings and/or photographs or sketches of the finished product return it not later than 1st July 2008 to:
LORRAINE BROPHY, BPA, 2 CARRERA HOUSE, MERLIN COURT, GATEHOUSE CLOSE, AYLESBURY, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE HP19 8DP.
 2008 Application Form.doc ( 354k ) - Viewed 322 times
A shortlist of candidates will then be drawn up and candidates will be asked to provide further details of their product i.e. a prototype or PowerPoint presentation.
From a pre-selection meeting a final shortlist will be produced and entrants will be asked to present their concepts before a review panel. After this process the finalists will be selected. The finalists will then be invited to attend BPA Baby & Child, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 12th - 14th October 2008 where the winner and runners up will be announced. Please note that you will be required to supply a prototype of your product for this stage.
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