Reduce Risks:
Net sales reduction
If products that have been manufactured or ordered cannot be sold in the target country or are sold with a significant delay, this can threaten the existence of the companies concerned. Reasons for this can include import bans, import delays or complete sales bans.
Import bans and delays
Import bans or import delays at customs can occur for various reasons and pose a serious problem for importers and retailers. Especially if the products are to be sold in a certain time window (e.g. at a certain time of year or during a major sporting event), a delay of 4-6 weeks can drastically reduce the sales potential.
A common example is a delay due to incomplete or incorrect documentation, missing or incorrect CE markings or missing operating instructions in the language of the target country. Here, the importer concerned can often make improvements, but loses valuable time before the product can be sold.
Measures by the customs authorities.
Customs may also refuse to import a product based on information on the product, e.g. if the list of ingredients for cosmetics contains substances that are not permitted in cosmetics in the EU.
Customs can also initiate further investigations and inspections by market surveillance authorities if certain products appear suspicious based on product design, packaging information, odors or experience. Over 3,400 products were reported as dangerous in the European Union's Safety Gate in 2023, 199 of which were rejected at the border.
Withdrawals from the market and sales bans
The withdrawal of products from the market and sales bans can be issued by various national or regional authorities.
While in Germany the Federal Network Agency examines products with regard to their compliance with the EMC Directive (2014/30/EU) and the new RED Directive (2014/53/EU), the market surveillance authorities in the federal states are responsible for monitoring compliance with all other regulations (Product Safety Act, LVD, REACH, ...).
Figures from the Safety Gate 2023
As already mentioned, over 3,400 products were classified as dangerous in 2023 and were subject to a sales ban or even a product recall. In this context, it is important for companies to note that the vast majority of sales bans are not issued due to genuine product safety-related aspects, but primarily due to formal defects.
Incorrect or missing information on the product or packaging, missing warnings, deficiencies in the operating instructions or in the CE declaration of conformity are the most common reasons for sales bans and costly re-labeling campaigns.
Solution approaches from trinasco
Such sales bans can be avoided quite easily if companies inform themselves at an early stage about the various requirements and, above all, the labeling obligations for the respective products.
We are happy to support you with our product compliance checks, training courses and workshops.
