EU must step up its efforts to curb the high number of unsafe products entering Europe

The European Union faces a significant challenge in preventing unsafe products from reaching its consumers, as highlighted by new data from 2025. The EU's alert system for dangerous non-food products, Safety Gate, recorded 4,671 notifications, underscoring the urgent need for updated market surveillance rules to address the complexities introduced by e-commerce. This surge in alerts, more than doubling since 2022, signals a persistent issue with products, often originating from Chinese online marketplaces, entering the EU market without clear accountability in the supply chain. Cosmetics, toys, and electrical appliances were the most frequently reported product categories, collectively accounting for over 63% of notifications in 2025, a trend consistent with previous years. While these numbers could indicate either a decline in product safety or increased detection efficiency, the sheer volume of dangerous items circulating within the Single Market necessitates a proactive approach to block them at the EU's external borders. The current system struggles to identify responsible parties, particularly concerning online marketplaces, complicating enforcement and consumer protection efforts. To bolster consumer safety, the European Commission is preparing to introduce a European Product Act in September, which may include the establishment of an EU Market Surveillance Authority. Such a centralized body would possess enhanced enforcement powers for matters of common EU interest, thereby strengthening the Single Market and enabling a more coordinated and rapid response to product safety risks. This initiative aims to hold online marketplaces more accountable, potentially making them liable when no other party ensures consumer safety.