Vĕra Jourová, European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, shared the 2017 results with all attendees, including more than 35 journalists from all over Europe.

Ms Jourová outlined the main trends and results from RAPEX activity, which was formed in 2003 to enable the quick exchange between 31 European countries and the European Commission of information regarding dangerous non-food products that pose a risk to the health and safety of consumers.

After the presentation participants enjoyed a tour of the SGS CEBEC laboratories where testing and certification is undertaken on a wide range of products and materials including electrical household appliances, lighting equipment, IT-products, electronic appliances and medical equipment.

Charles Ly Wa Hoi, Vice President of Global Retail Solutions at SGS, concluded the event with a short presentation about the services that SGS delivers for consumer products.

Mr. Ly Wa Hoi, said: 'As a world-leading inspection, verification, testing and certification provider, we were honored to host this prestigious event and give attendees a 'behind-the-scenes' tour of our laboratories. Thanks to the Rapid Alert System, European consumers enjoy the best levels of protection and our work will continue in partnership to keep dangerous products from entering the market and keep consumers, particularly children and the elderly, safe.'

Through RAPEX, the authorities of 28 Member States along with those of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein can be informed when dangerous products are intercepted at borders or withdrawn from the shelves.

Key findings from the 2017 report showed:

  • 2,201 alerts were issued, and 3,952 follow-up actions registered - an increase on 2016 figures (2,044 alerts and 3,824 follow-up actions)
  • Where the types of products are concerned, the largest percentage were toys (29%), followed by motor vehicles (20%) and clothing/fashion accessories (12%)
  • Product safety challenges are becoming more and more global - demonstrated by the number of online sales, international product recalls and new connected devices on the market.

Download a full version of the Annual Report 2017 >

For further information, please contact:

Ir. Calogero Lana
Business Unit Manager
Division SGS CEBEC
t: +32 2 556 00 55

About CEBEC

The SGS-CEBEC mark certifies compliance with the highest international safety and quality standards, while also verifying the quality of production processes. This means the CEBEC mark is not only appreciated by safety-conscious consumers, it is also prized by installers and industrial users who want to be assured of complete compliance with both Belgian and European standards.

About SGS

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 95,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,400 offices and laboratories around the world.

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SGS SA published this content on 19 April 2018 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 19 April 2018 14:31:05 UTC