Cefic’s analysis of the 2023 EU Safety Gate Report has revealed an urgent need to enhance enforcement of EU chemicals legislation, particularly concerning imported goods and online sales. The report, which serves as the EU’s rapid alert system for unsafe products, highlights a surge in chemical non-compliance, raising concerns about consumer safety and regulatory integrity.
Key Findings:
- Increase in Chemical Non-Compliance: The proportion of chemical non-compliance cases in products surged from 35% in 2022 to 51% in 2023, making it the most reported risk for the second consecutive year.
- Significant Rise in Non-Compliant Cosmetics: A 12-fold increase in non-compliant cosmetics played a major role in this trend.
- Growing Non-Compliance with REACH and RoHS: Instances of REACH non-compliance doubled, while violations of RoHS in electronics tripled in 2023.
- Imported Goods as the Primary Source: Non-compliance in imported goods with REACH regulations nearly doubled, reaching 901 instances in 2023.
- Concerns Over Endocrine Disruptors: The number of products containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals has been rising for three consecutive years. Notably, 419 out of 427 recorded cases originated from outside the EU/EEA or from unknown sources.
Cefic’s Call for Action:
“The rise in chemical non-compliance, particularly in imported goods and online sales, highlights the urgent need to strengthen enforcement of EU chemicals legislation. With over half of reported product risks now linked to chemical safety – and a significant share stemming from non-EU countries – it is clear that improved market surveillance and more coordinated oversight across member states are essential to protect European consumers and uphold the integrity of EU regulations.”
– Steven Van de Broeck, Cefic Executive Director Product Stewardship
The sharp increase in chemical non-compliance raises questions about whether this trend is a short-term anomaly or a deeper issue requiring stronger enforcement measures. Cefic’s analysis underscores the importance of targeted enforcement actions and enhanced oversight, particularly for imported goods and online sales, to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance across the EU.
Full Cefic Analysis: Cefic-Analysis-of-the-EU-Safety-Gate-Report-2023.pdf
Ekotox Chemicals Management webpage: https://ekotox.eu/chemicals-management/
Ekotox Online sales and advertisement of chemicals webpage: https://ekotox.eu/online-sale-and-advertisement-of-chemicals/