Press releases

There are pluses and minuses for consumers in today’s European Parliament internal market committee vote on reforming the main EU product safety law.

Once again thousands of notifications about unsafe products were made to Safety Gate, the EU’s rapid alert system in 2021, a total of 2142 notifications to be exact. The notifications only represent the tip of the iceberg, as the precise number of dangerous products linked to a notification is unknown and only the most harmful risks are notified.

As a part of the Circular Economy package, two proposals from the European Commission will give new rights to consumers and provide them with easier access to more sustainable and durable products.
New requirements for manufacturers of products will be a tangible improvement for consumers. Manufacturers will have to abide by important sustainability criteria such as durability, repairability, upgradeability and chemicals in their products’ design.
Both proposals also introduce new obligations for companies to present key information about the durability and repairability of their products, making it easier for consumers to find and choose the more sustainable option.

A compilation of research by BEUC members – national consumer groups – shows online marketplaces continue to be a source of dangerous products. These marketplaces should be liable for selling such products, which is why BEUC urges policymakers to get ongoing reforms of EU law right.