Product recalls across Europe exceeded 3,500 in five key sectors for the second consecutive quarter, reaching 3,505 events in Q2 2024, according to Sedgwick brand protection’s latest European Recall Index report.
This marks the fifth consecutive quarter with more than 3,000 recalls, indicating a continued high level of recall activity.
The 3,505 recalls reported in the second quarter are nearly identical to the ten-year quarterly high of 3,506 recalls recorded in Q1 2024. With 7,011 recalls logged in the first half of 2024, the year is on pace to set a new record for recall activity across Europe.
Sedgwick highlights this ongoing trend underscores the need for continued vigilance among consumers, manufacturers, and supply chain partners.
Sedgwick’s quarterly report provides a detailed analysis of product safety and recall data across the UK and EU. The sectors covered include automotive, consumer products, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
The report noted modest increases in the number of recalls in the pharmaceutical (+9.5%), automotive (+9.3%), and food and beverage (+6.3%) sectors. However, the consumer product and medical device industries experienced declines, with recalls falling by 6.5% and 4.5% respectively in the second quarter.
Beyond recall statistics, Sedgwick’s report also offers insights into current regulatory activities and future expectations for stakeholders in European industries. During the past quarter, regulators focused on ensuring fair procurement policies and maintaining open competition, particularly in the automotive, food and beverage, and medical device sectors.
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Sustainability and the safe use of artificial intelligence (AI) in products were also key areas of regulatory interest, with new regulations and guidance proposed by both EU and UK regulators.
Recent regulatory developments include the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the EU AI Act, which will expand companies’ responsibilities throughout the supply chain and product life cycle.
In the UK, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer (DMCC) Bill has become law, granting broader regulatory powers to the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This legislation may significantly impact businesses, even those not based in Great Britain.
Chris Occleshaw (pictured above), international product recall consultant at Sedgwick, commented on the regulatory landscape, noting that the recent rapid progress in regulations could slow following recent UK and EU elections.
Despite this, businesses still face significant regulatory changes and increasing responsibilities, necessitating heightened vigilance in managing their supply chains. Occleshaw emphasised the importance of thorough preparation to address any potential issues arising from non-compliance or in-market product crises.
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