Press releases

The European Commission today published a proposal to improve customs controls. This could help tackle the many challenges authorities face in checking the surge in e-commerce parcels entering the EU for dangerous or non-compliant products. While consumers expect and may think all imports are safe and comply with EU standards, the reality is more complicated.

Consumers could be exposing themselves to food-related risks, as they experience a lack of safe use instructions for food containers and kitchenware. Many continue to use worn or damaged food containers and kitchenware for some time, as an 11-country survey about people’s attitudes, needs, and concerns regarding ‘food contact materials’ [A] underlines. As a result, BEUC is calling for proper regulation of these materials.

According to new statistics, 2,117 notifications were made to Safety Gate – the EU’s rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products – in 2022.

Today, the European Chemicals Agency published details of a request by four EU Member States and Norway to restrict the use of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). PFAS are a family of greaseproof, waterproof, and non-stick industrial chemicals used in many consumer products. Examples include clothing, carpets, cleaning agents, as well as oil-repellent and heat-resistant food packaging.