In September, 283 dangerous products were entered into the European Union’s Safety Gate system, 104 of which came from the categories of toys, baby products and children’s supplies, as well as clothing, textiles, and fashion items. The textile products were almost exclusively for children, such as children’s slippers, swimsuits, or hoodies.
Electrical devices, accessories, and string lights were also disproportionately represented in September, accounting for 18.7% of the total. Through the Safety Gate information portal, formerly known as the RAPEX system, market surveillance authorities of the member states inform each other about dangerous products.
When a product is reported in one member state, the authorities of the other member states regularly take corresponding measures, including issuing sales bans or product recalls for the affected items.
The leading country of origin in September was China, with a total of 167 reports. The remaining 116 reports involved products from 25 different countries.
The most reports came from Germany (67 reports), followed by Hungary (51), France (28), and Sweden (25).
38.5% of the products must be recalled by consumers, and one in four products was sold online.
Even with medium-sized shipments, sales bans can quickly lead to revenue losses of several hundred thousand euros. Additionally, there may be costs for product adjustments, re-labeling efforts, or penalty payments to customers.
A study by Allianz also shows that the costs for recalls of electrical devices or toys can range between €650,000 and €1,000,000. In addition to the enormous financial burdens involved, there is a risk that the reputation of manufacturers, importers, or retailers may suffer long-term damage.
Through the systematic implementation of compliance strategies, companies can significantly minimize the risk of product defects or incorrect labeling and identify potential hazards at an early stage. Detailed and complete documentation is not only key to demonstrating compliance with legal regulations but also enables quick response in the event of product recalls or import delays. Regular spot checks ensure that products continuously meet current norms and standards.
We recommend that our clients proactively invest in their compliance strategies to protect themselves in the long term from the significant consequences of non-compliant products. This includes not only legal penalties and revenue losses but also potential damage to their reputation. A solid compliance management system is therefore crucial in securing market position and building trust with customers and partners.
It is evident that in September, German market surveillance authorities focused on toys, as 48% of the reports on dangerous toys came from Germany. Forty-seven products posed a chemical risk, and another 22 carried a choking hazard. The majority of the dangerous products, 65 in total, originated from China.
Of the 71 reported dangerous toys, 29 belonged to the toy slime category. German customs authorities rejected 26 of these products directly at the border, while the remaining 3 were subject to a product recall in Malta.
One of the products had an excessively high level of boron migration from the toy slime (measured at 1,350 mg/kg). Ingesting or coming into contact with excessive amounts of boron can harm children’s health by damaging the reproductive system. The other products also exhibited boron migration levels that were too high and did not comply with the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive or the European standard EN 71-3.
Fig. 1: Toy slime rejected at the border
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10014366, Date: 4 October 2024, Language: German
A stacking toy from India was flagged by French market surveillance authorities and also subjected to a product recall. A small part (duck-shaped piece) could easily detach from the toy, posing a choking hazard for small children if they put it in their mouth.
Additionally, the lead migration from the toy was excessively high (measured up to 64 mg/kg). Lead is harmful to children as it can cause developmental neurotoxicity. It accumulates in the body and can also affect future offspring, whether they are breastfed or unborn.
Furthermore, the migration of N-nitrosatable substances from the toy was also too high (measured up to 2.8 mg/kg). Nitrosatable substances can convert into nitrosamines, which can cause cancer through ingestion or skin exposure. A child could be exposed to these substances by touching or putting the toy in their mouth.
Fig. 2: Stacking toys with choking hazard and chemical risk
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10031327, Date: 4 October 2024, Language: German
A set of stuffed animals from Latvia was also subject to a product recall. The set consisted of twelve different types of small, soft toys in the shape of animals about 5.5 cm long (chick, crocodile, donkey, etc.). The product was sold online.
The seams of the individual toys were not secure enough, allowing access to the filling material. A child could put the filling in their mouth and choke. The product violated the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive and the European standard EN 71-1.
Fig. 3: Plush toys with choking hazard
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10014257, Date: 4 October 2024, Language: German
In the area of clothing, textiles, and fashion items, Hungarian market surveillance authorities flagged a children’s dress from Turkey, where small decorative elements (rhinestones and half-pearls) could easily detach from the dress. A small child could put these small parts in their mouth and choke. Additionally, the safety pin on the dress posed a risk of eye or skin injuries.
The product did not comply with the requirements of the General Product Safety Directive and must also be recalled from consumers.
Fig. 4: Dangerous children’s clothing
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10014320, Date: 4 October 2024, Language: German
A set of pacifier chains from China must also be recalled. After investigations by German market surveillance authorities, it was found that the pacifier chains could easily break, resulting in small parts. Small children could put these parts in their mouths and choke.
Additionally, the pacifier holders were too long, posing a risk of strangulation. This product also failed to meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Directive and the European standards EN 12586 and EN 71-1.
Fig. 5: Fragile dummy chains
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10014286, Date: 4 October 2024, Language: German
In autumn, offers for string lights typically increase to brighten the darker days. However, for years, design and manufacturing defects have repeatedly caused electric shocks, burns, and fires.
In September, a total of 21 products were flagged, with 17 recalled by Hungarian authorities. In one case, the cable was not properly anchored, and the string lights had inadequate insulation. The structure of the socket also allowed for single-pole plugging of plugs.
Additionally, the string lights were not protected against moisture, yet they were recommended for outdoor use. This could allow water to enter the product, or users could touch exposed live parts, leading to an electric shock.
The remaining products, which must be recalled by consumers, presented similar hazards and violated the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive and the European standard EN 60598.
Fig. 7: Fairy lights with numerous electrical defects
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10014965, Date: 4 October 2024, Language: German
Two sets of string lights, deemed dangerous by Swedish market surveillance authorities, were found to contain excessive concentrations of Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in the plastic materials of the cables (measured up to 19% by weight and 1.1% by weight, respectively). DEHP can harm users’ health and potentially damage the reproductive system.
SCCPs persist in the environment, are toxic to aquatic organisms in low concentrations, and accumulate in wildlife and humans, posing a risk to both human health and the environment. Prolonged skin exposure to these substances can lead to cancer.
These products did not comply with the REACH Regulation or the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) Regulation. Authorities ordered the removal of these products from online marketplaces.
Fig. 7: Fairy lights with chemical risk
Source: European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10021688, Date: 4 October 2024, Language: German
Do you sell toys, children’s articles or electronic products?
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, which 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 a suitable risk management system and guide you through the conformity assessment process, including the preparation of technical documentation, risk analyses and EU declarations of conformity.
