Dangerous products on the rise in the EU: cosmetics and toys under scrutiny
The Safety Gate system recorded a record number of alerts, with cosmetics and toys containing hazardous substances posing the greatest risks.
The European Union is experiencing a significant increase in dangerous products reaching consumers. According to the latest data from the Safety Gate system, nearly 5,000 alerts were recorded last year, representing a historic high and a year-on-year increase of around 13%.
Cosmetics remain the most frequently reported category, accounting for more than one-third of all cases. The main issue involves banned substances such as BMHCA (lilial), which may negatively affect reproductive health.
Toys represent another major risk category. Reported issues include the presence of hazardous chemicals, small detachable parts, and dangerous elements such as magnets or electrical components. In some cases, excessive levels of lead or cadmium were detected.
Many of these dangerous products originate from outside the EU and are often sold through online marketplaces, making it difficult to identify manufacturers or importers. Authorities are therefore increasing inspections and enforcement actions, including product recalls.
From a product safety perspective, strict conformity assessment, verification of composition and origin, and purchasing from trusted suppliers remain essential.