EU RAPEX Annual Report 2015: Chemical Risk is the Most Notified Type of Risk

May 26, 2016

SAFEGUARDS | Consumer Products NO. 107/16

RAPEX is the EU Commission rapid alert system for dangerous products recalled in the EU. In 2015, 2072 products posing risk to consumers' health and safety were reported through the RAPEX.

In 2015, chemical risk was for the first time since the creation of the Rapex the most notified type of risk (See Graph 1), showing a focus from the market surveillance authorities on dangerous and unauthorized chemicals in consumer products.

37% of the notifications signaling a chemical risk were related to toys, and in particular toys containing phthalates. 20% were related to fashion jewelleries containing heavy metals such as lead and nickel. (See Graph 2)

Graph 1 - Five most commonnotified type of risk compared to other risks in 2015

Graph 2 - Notifications in 2015 signalling a chemical risk by product category

'Toys' remain the most notified product category again in 2015 (27%), due to the high safety requirements children's products are submitted to.

'Clothing, textiles and fashion items' is the second most notified product category (17%). (See Graph 3).

Graph 3 - Most commonnotified product categories compared to other categories in 2015

Source : RAPEX Statistics and reports; the Directorate-General for Health and Consumers of the European Commission

In a drive to ensure maximum possible circulation and awareness of this information and to promote product safety to clients, the SGS 'Product Recalls' publication summarises the notifications of unsafe consumer products in the European, US and the Australian markets. Products Recalls is included in the SafeGuards e.mailing twice per month.

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FrederiqueLorberKnowledge Management Project Coordinatort: +33 4 42 61 64 42

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