In the first quarter of November, 1,306 dangerous products were reported in the EU’s Safety Gate. The information portal, originally known as the RAPEX system, enables the exchange of information on dangerous products between the market surveillance authorities of the EU member states. If such products are discovered and reported in a country, they are generally no longer allowed to be sold there. Other member states often follow suit and take similar measures such as sales bans or product recalls.
With 601 reports, almost every second dangerous product comes from the cosmetics sector, followed by electronic products (12.6 %), toys (12.3 %) and chemical products (3.8 %). Due to the time of year, the value of sports and leisure articles is quite high, and these were apparently scrutinised more frequently by individual market surveillance authorities. 44 products were criticised here and may no longer be sold.
The European market surveillance authorities issued a product recall for almost one in three products (27%) and almost one in four products (23%) were sold online. 104 products (8%) violated the REACh regulation, 113 (8.6%) violated the product safety line or the new product safety regulation.
461 hazardous products originated from the People’s Republic of China (35.3%), followed by Italy with 18.3%. The origin of the hazardous products could not be determined for 148 products, 85 came from France and 70 from Germany.
Due to the high proportion of dangerous cosmetics, most reports once again came from Italy (481 reports). Numerous reports came from France (149), Germany (108) and surprisingly from Northern Ireland (106).
A study by Allianz shows that recalls of toys or electrical appliances can cost companies between 650,000 and 1,000,000 euros. These high costs arise not only from the recalls themselves, but also from necessary product adjustments, revised packaging or contractual penalties for business customers.
Even for medium delivery quantities, import bans, sales stops or customs delays can quickly result in six-figure sales losses. In addition, manufacturers, retailers and importers can suffer lasting damage to their image – with negative consequences for their market position and business development.
An effective compliance management system creates trust among customers and business partners – and thus becomes a real competitive advantage. Investing in suitable processes and measures at an early stage significantly reduces the risk of fines, loss of sales and reputational damage.
From 13 December 2024 at the latest, a comprehensive risk analysis and technical documentation will become a legal requirement – for almost all product types. The new EU Product Safety Regulation requires companies to prove that their products are safe and fulfil all relevant requirements. Careful documentation will therefore become a central component of any compliance strategy.
44 dangerous sports and leisure articles
A total of 44 dangerous products were reported in the area of sports and leisure articles. 12 products were inflatable floating seats, which were criticised by the Austrian and Northern Irish market surveillance authorities. All products were sold online via Alibaba or Amazon.
The Austrian authorities ordered the termination of the listing of the products on the respective marketplace, while the Northern Irish authorities rejected one product at the border.
According to the Northern Irish authorities, the floating seat harboured a serious risk of injury as it comes with an attachable canopy. In windy conditions, the canopy can cause the product to lift out of the water. The child could fall from the product and be injured by a collision or by drowning in the water.
The Austrian authorities criticised the fact that the product resembles a toy. However, there is a risk of drowning if children play with it unsupervised. Floating seats must be used under constant adult supervision.
The products did not comply with the General Product Safety Regulation or the European standard EN 13138.
Fig. 1: Dangerous floating seat for children
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10094563, date: 03.07.2025, language: German
The Northern Irish market surveillance authorities discovered an excessive concentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), di-“isononyl” phthalate (DINP) and di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) (measured values: 26%, 4.6%, 0.45% and 0.63% by weight respectively) in a floating board. These phthalates can harm children’s health by damaging the reproductive system.
The product was not in compliance with the REACH regulation and the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive. The importer must withdraw the product from the market and have it destroyed at his own expense.
Fig. 2: Floating board with phthalates
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10093884, date: 03.07.2025, language: German
The Finnish authorities tested various rackets and found that the handles of various products contained excessive amounts of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (measured values 4.2, 6.9 and 18% by weight). The badminton racket set also contained lead (measured value: 0.10% by weight).
DEHP can harm children’s health by causing possible damage to their reproductive system. Lead is harmful to human health, accumulates in the body, can cause developmental neurotoxicity and can also affect breastfed or unborn children. The badminton racket set came from China, other rackets from Pakistan.
2 of the products were rejected at the border, as others must also be withdrawn from the market and destroyed by the importer. All products did not comply with the REACH regulation.
Fig. 3: Badminton racket set with phthalates and lead
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10094753, date: 03.07.2025, language: German
In the area of sports and leisure articles, a total of 10 bicycles including bicycle accessories were also subject to sales bans or even product recalls. The French authorities criticised two bicycle mounts for cars from Italy and Romania. The product from Italy was sold online via Decathlon.
The bike rack could bend at the welds between the vertical support and the frame and the vertical support could break near the welds. The carrier can detach from the vehicle, which can lead to dramatic injuries.
With the second product, the plastic supports could tear if they are tightened too tightly. This harbours the risk of accidents and injuries. The products did not comply with the General Product Safety Regulation or the European standard EN 75303 and must be recalled by end users.
Fig. 4: Dangerous bicycle holder from Decathlon
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10094605, date: 03.07.2025, language: German
The Finnish and Lithuanian market surveillance authorities have issued product recalls for a total of 6 children’s bicycles, as the handlebar stem of various products could easily break due to its low mechanical strength. The child can therefore lose control or the bike and fall, resulting in injury.
In another product, the front handbrake may not work properly due to its low mechanical strength. This could cause an accident and injury to the user. The products violated both the regulation on general product safety and the European standard EN 8098. The manufacturer or importer must also recall these products from the end consumer
Fig. 5: Children’s bicycles with dangerous handlebar stems
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10094751, date: 03.07.2025, language: German
A toy bike from Italy had too large a gap between the rear wheel and the mudguard. A child’s finger could be trapped in between and the product therefore violated the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive. The Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC applies to children’s bicycles up to a saddle height of 435 mm (measured in the lowest saddle position).
The product must be taken back by the retailer
Fig. 6: Toy bicycle in violation of the Toy Safety Directive
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10093949, date: 03.07.2025, language: German
The importance of analysing the chemical composition and materials of components is demonstrated by the investigations of the Dutch market surveillance authorities into the seals of recreational craft. The seals, which originated in China, the UK and Denmark and were mostly sold online, contained asbestos fibres (measured value up to 30%), which can be released and lead to cancer. The products did not comply with the REACH regulation and must be withdrawn from the market.
Fig. 7: Gaskets from recreational boats with asbestos
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10092614?lang=de, date: 03.07.2025, language: German
Do you sell sports and leisure articles, toys or electrical goods?
How sure are you that all the risks of your products are fully considered?
How do you ensure that you know and comply with current standards?
Have you prepared a risk analysis for all your products that you could make available to authorities on request?
Are all your suppliers familiar with the requirements of the REACH or POP Regulation and the relevant harmonised European standards?
Do you have complete technical documentation for all your products, as required by the new Product Safety Regulation?
Do you have meaningful tests and documents from your suppliers regarding the chemical and electrical components of your products?
How well are you prepared for a product recall and do you have a product recall management system in place?
If you see a need for action here, we will be happy to assist you in identifying potential risks and avoiding additional costs due to dangerous products.
We support you in setting up suitable risk management and guide you through the conformity assessment process, including the preparation of technical documentation, risk analyses and EU declarations of conformity.
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