Consumers purchase a wide range of products on a daily basis—from toys and electrical appliances to household goods. Unfortunately, products that may pose risks to human health or safety sometimes enter the market. For this reason, the timely identification and recall of dangerous products is essential both for consumer safety and for maintaining business reputation.
Within the framework of Safety Week, the Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) calls on traders to pay particular attention to product safety, risk prevention and appropriate action in cases where dangerous products have been placed on the market. This is also provided for by European Union legislation—Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on General Product Safety, which introduces stricter requirements for businesses and ensures more effective mechanisms for the rapid identification of dangerous products.
A more detailed explanation of the Regulation is available in the European Commission’s guidance document for traders.
Tools for Faster Detection of Dangerous Products
The Safety Gate information system enables EU Member States to rapidly exchange information on dangerous non‑food products identified on the market. It is an important tool for traders and manufacturers, as well as for consumers, who can easily check whether a specific product has been identified as unsafe.
More information about the information exchange system (Safety Gate)
Safety Business Gateway – A Reporting Channel for Businesses
With the introduction of the new Regulation, an additional tool has been launched—Safety Business Gateway, through which traders are required to report:
- unsafe products identified on the market;
- accidents related to product use.
This allows supervisory authorities to respond quickly and prevent the further distribution of dangerous products. European Commission guidelines for businesses on using the portal are available here.
More information: Reporting Dangerous Products
Traders’ Obligations When a Product May Endanger Consumers
If a trader identifies that a product is unsafe, the trader must immediately:
- suspend the sale of the product;
- withdraw it from the market;
- organise a product recall.
Recall notices must be clear, easily noticeable and designed to reach the widest possible audience.
Consumers’ Rights in the Event of a Recall
If a product is dangerous and is recalled, the trader must offer consumers at least two out of the following three remedies:
- repair of the product;
- replacement with an equivalent product;
- refund of the purchase price.
This is one of the most significant benefits of the Regulation for consumers.
Timely action and responsible behaviour not only help protect consumers but also strengthen trust in businesses and the market as a whole. CRPC encourages traders to familiarise themselves with the requirements and to make use of the available European Union tools to prevent potential risks to consumers at an early stage.