In October, a total of 347 dangerous products were listed in the European Union’s Safety Gate. Through the information portal, formerly known as the RAPEX system, the market surveillance authorities of the member states inform each other about dangerous products.
When reports are made in one member state, the authorities of the other member countries regularly take corresponding measures and also issue sales bans or product recalls for the affected products.
With 94 dangerous products, more than one in four products originated from the cosmetics sector, followed by electrical items including string lights with 75 products and toys with 59 products. The European market surveillance authorities issued a total of 120 product recalls, corresponding to a rate of 34.6%.
Good, about half of the disputed products (49.9%) originated from the People’s Republic of China, and 53 products were sold online. Most reports came from Italy (71 reports), Sweden (51 reports), Hungary (37 reports), and Germany (36 reports).
Even with medium-sized shipments, sales bans can quickly cause revenue losses amounting to several hundred thousand euros. Additionally, there may be costs for product modifications, re-labeling, or contractual penalties to customers.
According to a study by Allianz, recall costs for electrical devices or toys range between €650,000 and €1,000,000. Besides the significant financial burdens, there is a risk of long-term damage to the reputation of manufacturers, importers, or retailers, which can have lasting negative effects on business activities.
Careful implementation of compliance strategies helps companies significantly reduce risks such as product defects or inadequate labeling and identify potential dangers early. Comprehensive documentation is essential, as it not only demonstrates compliance with legal requirements but also allows for quick action in cases of product recalls or import delays. Regular random inspections ensure that products meet current standards.
We advise our clients to invest early in compliance strategies to protect themselves in the long term from legal consequences, financial losses, and reputational damage. Strong compliance management strengthens market position and builds trust with customers and partners.
Within the category of electrical products, the Slovak and Hungarian market surveillance authorities criticized 33 products for massive design and production-specific defects, all of which were subject to product recalls.
In one product, the cable was not properly anchored (missing strain relief). Additionally, the accessible wires had insufficient insulation, and the dimensions of the plug did not meet specifications. The product was not protected against moisture, although it was recommended for outdoor use. Water could enter the product, or the user could touch accessible live parts and receive an electric shock.
The product did not comply with the Low Voltage Directive nor the European standard EN 60598.
Fig. 1: String Light with Risk of Electric Shock
Source: European Commission, Link, Date: 10.11.2024, Language: German
That the European market surveillance authorities are increasingly examining chemical and environmental risks in addition to electrical safety is demonstrated by two examples from Sweden. In one product, the plastic material of the cable had an excessive concentration of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) (measured value up to 1.22% by weight).
SCCPs remain in the environment, are toxic to aquatic organisms at low concentrations, and accumulate in wildlife and humans, posing a risk to human health and the environment. Prolonged exposure through the skin can cause cancer.
The other product, in addition to an excessive concentration of SCCPs at 18.35% by weight, also had an excessive DBP concentration (measured value up to 7.5% by weight). Phthalates pose a risk to human health and the environment.
Both products did not comply with the Regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP), and the second product also did not meet the requirements of the Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS 2 Directive). Both products must be removed from the market by the distributor and may no longer be sold.
Fig. 2: String Light Violating the POP Regulation
Source: European Commission, Link, Date: 10.11.2024, Language: German
The Danish market surveillance authorities found that the insulation of the switch in a lit mirror was insufficient. The user could touch the accessible live parts during installation and maintenance of the product and receive an electric shock.
The online-sold product from China violated the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive and the European standards EN 60598-1 and EN 60598-2-1 and may also no longer be sold.
Fig. 3: Lit Mirror with Risk of Electric Shock
Source: European Commission, Link, Date: 10.11.2024, Language: German
Among the other electrical products, the trend of market surveillance authorities to give significantly more weight to chemical and environmental risks is evident. Of the total 38 electrical products (excluding string lights), 25 were criticized for chemical and environmental risks.
Leading the way were the Swedish market surveillance authorities, who alone rejected 10 products directly at the border. 24 products violated the RoHS Directive, including headphones, controllers, LED lamps, USB cables, and more.
One pair of headphones had the plastic material of the cable with excessive concentrations of Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) (measured values up to 0.14% by weight and 0.42% by weight, respectively). Additionally, the solder joints in the product had an excessive cadmium concentration (measured value up to 0.52% by weight).
DEHP poses a risk to human health and the environment. SCCPs remain in the environment, are toxic to aquatic organisms at low concentrations, and accumulate in wildlife and humans, posing a risk to human health and the environment. Prolonged exposure through the skin can cause cancer. Cadmium is bioaccumulative and poses an environmental hazard.
The product was neither compliant with the Regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) nor with the Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS 2 Directive).
Fig. 4: Headphones with DEHP, SCCPs, and Cadmium
Source: European Commission, Link, Date: 10.11.2024, Language: German
In a pair of cotton gloves equipped with battery-operated LED lights and sold online via Amazon (ASIN: B01HJFE2FW), the solder joints in the product had an excessive cadmium concentration (measured value up to 0.33% by weight). Cadmium is bioaccumulative and poses an environmental hazard. This product from China also did not comply with the RoHS 2 Directive and must be withdrawn from the market.
Fig. 5: Cotton Gloves with LED Lights and Cadmium
Source: European Commission, Link, Date: 10.11.2024, Language: German
Also violating the RoHS Directive was a battery-operated LED mask sold online via Amazon (ASIN B0B1Q4R7H3 and B09Y9DT9W7). Here, the solder joints contained an excessive lead concentration (measured value up to 63.6% by weight). Lead poses a risk to the environment.
Fig. 6: Battery-Operated LED Mask
Source: European Commission, Link, Date: 10.11.2024, Language: German
An electric kettle from China, sold by Tedi in Croatia, must be recalled. Due to the insufficient heat resistance of the thermoplastic material, a deterioration of the material could make live parts accessible. The user could touch them and receive an electric shock.
The product violated both the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive and the European standard EN 60335-2. Tedi must also recall the product from consumers in Poland and Slovenia.
If you see a need for action here, we are happy to assist you in identifying potential risks and avoiding additional costs due to dangerous products. We support you in building an appropriate risk management system and accompany you through the conformity assessment process, including the creation of technical documentation, risk analysis, and EU Declaration of Conformity.
