• Consumers: EU move to reduce cigarette ignited fires to save hundreds of lives each year Cigarettes left unattended are one of the leading causes of fatal fires in Europe. Evidence shows that the number of fatalities can be reduced by over 40% with the introduction of 'Reduced Ignition Propensity' (RIP) cigarettes i.e. cigarettes which self-extinguish when left unattended and are thus less likely to cause fire. Read more

• Study on nano claims on consumer product labels There appears to be confusion about the use of "nano" on consumer product labels. A nano claim may not necessarily mean that nano material is present in the product. Just as products without a nano claim may contain nano materials used in their manufacture. This study aimed to find out how producers justify nano claims on their products. Are claims used to show the presence of nano materials in the products or is "nano" used just to attract consumers' attention? Study summary Only an extended summary of the study results is available as the majority of the producers who responded did not agree to the disclosure of the information.

• Study on flame retardant substances in consumer products in domestic environments Background and aims of the study In the EU, fire safety has been an issue of serious public and political concern during the past years, and Member States have taken different approaches to deal with it. To provide a contribution to further develop and possibly conclude this debate, the study on "Identification and evaluation of data on flame retardants in consumer products" aimed to acquire an up-to-date knowledge on flame retardant substances currently applied in consumer products largely used at home. Read more...

• Consumers: A genuine internal market of safe products – Safety at source a key objective. Whether a baby-stroller or a new pair of shoes, we all like to be sure that the products we buy in the EU are safe. Happily, fewer dangerous products are reaching the EU market since such products are now identified and removed more readily. See the latest report from the EU's rapid alert system for (non-food) dangerous products (RAPEX). If you are also curious about how safe your sports helmet is - see also the results of the recent investigation. Press Release Q&A Rapex Report Helmets Report

• Commission maintains safety requirements for cigarette lighters In order to ensure that children continue to be protected from the dangers of novelty cigarette lighters, or lighters which are not child-resistant, the EU has extended the ban which prevents them appearing on our market up until 11 May 2012, with further prolongations being possible in the future if necessary. In the meantime, the Commission had mandated CEN to develop a child-resistance test based on technical parameters. Testing would from then on, rely on technical parameters rather than testing children themselves which is considered by some to be too burdensome for them. The development of the technical parameter test is advancing well and swift progress is expected. More information at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:076:0099:0099:EN:PDF http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/325&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN




• Call for Expressions of Interest Expert Group on Product Traceability The purpose of this call is to allow the Commission to select participants in the work of an informal Expert Group on the practical application of the EU's legislative framework regarding product traceability. Prospective candidates are invited to request the documents by sending an e-mail to sanco-unit-b3@ec.europa.eu and to notify the Commission services in writing of their interest, either via a direct application or by a proposal on their behalf from their employer or representative body, e.g. association. Deadline for submission of candidatures: 12 May 2011.




• Commission launches call for research support for an informal expert group on product traceability




• Commission maintains ban of biocide in consumer products The biocide dimethylfumarate (DMF) has caused severe allergic reactions in hundreds of consumers, exposed to it in every-day products such as couches and shoes. It is banned until 15 March 2012, after 2 extensions since 2009. Throughout 2009 and 2010, market surveillance authorities in Member States have found DMF in consumer products, in particular ladies', children's and men's shoes. In most cases, authorities ordered a stop on sales and recalls, and notified RAPEX, the EU rapid alert system for non-food dangerous products. The European Chemicals Agency is evaluating evidence that may lead to a permanent ban of DMF under REACH legislation. If adopted before mid-March 2012, the current ban will not be prolonged. Links: RAPEX - DMF Decision




• Commission launches call for support services product safety




• Commission launches product safety pilot with authorities across continents On 24 February, the European Commission, together with product safety authorities from Australia, Canada and the United States, launched a pilot project to improve the safety of selected products for children Read more




• Consumers: Reducing the risk of child strangulation linked to window blind cords




• Child safety in the spotlight at International Product Safety Week On 2 December, the Commission and its international partners are holding an awareness event on child safety. It will focus on a case study of cords and chains in window coverings - a critical safety hazard that has led to many child deaths globally. This is part of International Product Safety Week (1-3 December) whose theme is "Keeping Consumers Safe across Borders". Programme of the child safety event International Product Safety Week




• Safe toys for the holiday season: tips published by the European Commission With many EU consumers now starting to shop for holiday presents, the European Commission has published practical guidance to help EU consumers buy only safe toys for their children and use them safely. View the toy safety tips:




• Consumer & Product Safety Day, Shanghai Expo - 26 October 2010 Expo 2010 is taking place in Shanghai, China from 1 May to 31 October. The theme of the event is "Better city, better life". On 26 October, the European Commission's 'Health and Consumers' Directorate-General will host a one-day conference entitled "How best to ensure safe purchases for consumers - The EU experience", focusing on modern consumer policy and guarantees of product safety in Europe. Draft programme Read more




• CE marking makes Europe's market yours We often see the "CE marking" on some of the products we buy, but what does it really mean? Under the slogan "CE marking makes Europe's market yours!", the European Commission is carrying out an information campaign on the CE marking. The marking signals that a product is in compliance with all relevant EU legislation, making it eligible to be marketed and sold throughout the EU. By affixing the CE marking on a product, a manufacturer is declaring, on his sole responsibility, conformity with all relevant legal requirements, in particular those which ensure health, safety, and environmental protection. Read more




• International, multilateral call for immediate action for safety of window blind cords For the first time three regulators looking after the safety of consumers across the Atlantic (in the EU, Canada and the United States) have joined together to demand strong worldwide safety standards on a specific product. The European Commission’s Health and Consumers Directorate General, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and Health Canada, have issued a call for better standards on window blind cords. The aim is to reduce the risk of death and injury that corded window coverings present to children. Read more




• International Product Safety Week 2010, 1-3 December 2010 The European Commission is organising events under the umbrella of the 3rd International Product Safety Week in Brussels, from 1 to 3 December 2010. As in the past years, this week comprises a series of conferences and meetings bringing together a broad range of (non-food) consumer product safety professionals from around the world, representing regulators, businesses, consumer organisations, standard makers and test laboratories, academics, etc. Read more




• Consultation on the General Product Safety Legislative Initiative The framework set up under the two successive General Product Safety Directives - Directive 92/59/EC and 2001/95/EC - has built up, in almost two decades, a system that fosters a general culture that all consumer products must be safe, and integrates the role of European standards for otherwise non-harmonised products. However, recurrent product safety alerts, either of global or regional relevance, have made it clear that we need a system that delivers more rapidly, efficiently and consistently throughout the EU and which, at the same time, is flexible enough to adapt to the challenges of globalisation and continue to contribute to the EU internal market of safe products. To meet these challenges DG Health & Consumers has launched a public consultation on the revision of the current General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC. Click here for all details.




• Annual RAPEX Report 2009 shows efficiency of EU's co-operation on dangerous products When EU consumers buy clothes for their children they should not have to worry about safety risks. A recent EU market surveillance exercise, checked in particular, the safety of children's clothes with cords and drawstrings, with which there can be a risk of strangulation, especially for children up to 7 years. Press Release Questions & Answers on RAPEX Questions & Answers Toy project Full Rapex report Final Report Toy Joint Action




• Consumers: Risks from cords and drawstrings in children's clothing When EU consumers buy clothes for their children they should not have to worry about safety risks. A recent EU market surveillance exercise, checked in particular, the safety of children's clothes with cords and drawstrings, with which there can be a risk of strangulation, especially for children up to 7 years. Press Release Questions & Answers Report




• Be smart before you tan : what you need to know about sunbeds Consumers are not being given sufficient information on hazardous effects of UV radiation and they are not receiving sufficient guidance on how to use them safely according to the results of a market surveillance check of sunbeds and sunbed services. Press Release: 1 in 7 Sunbeds in breach of UV radiation safety limits Questions & Answers on safety of sunbeds Report: Joint action report on sunbeds 2008-2009 Read more




• New "RAPEX" Guidelines, 27 January 2010 The Commission published new guidelines for easier and better notification of dangerous consumer products found in the EU. Read more




• Safety at home this Christmas Avoid risks at home this Christmas - Tips for consumers on Christmas lights and toys Press Release: 30% of Christmas lights are a "serious safety risk" in the home, warns EU report Memo: Christmas Lights - Frequently asked questions 12 Toy Tips




• EU to set new safety standards for baby sleep products New child safety standards – for safety of articles commonly used in children's sleeping environment such as cot mattresses, cot bumpers, suspended baby beds, children's duvets and sleeping bags for babies. Press Release: EU to set new safety standards for sleeping products for newborns and young children Memo: Questions and answers Commission Decision on safety requirements for products in the sleep environment of children, July 2010




• EU acts to limit health risks from exposure to noise from personal music players Press Release: EU acts to limit health risks from exposure to noise from personal music players Memo: Questions and answers on the mandate for new safety standards for personal music players Speech: Personal music players – preventing hearing damage, speech by Meglena Kuneva, European Consumer Commissioner




• New 'Business Application' to notify dangerous consumer products Questions and answers on the 'GPSD Business Application'




• Be sun-smart this summer Sunscreen products: be smart and protect yourself this summer!




• EU to set new safety standards for child care products EU adds window locks to child safety standards list (Euronews)




• Commissioner Kuneva and Commissioner Vassiliou launch European Child Safety Report Cards 2009 Injuries remain a leading cause of death for children in all EU Member States. The report cards score countries on the degree to which they have adopted, implemented and enforced proven child-injury strategies/good practices. For further info please see: www.childsafetyeurope.org




• RAPEX annual report 2008 Press release: Consumers: Annual RAPEX Report 2008 shows rise in number of dangerous products being detected Rapex Memo: Questions and answers on the Community rapid alert system for non-food dangerous consumer products (RAPEX) Speech Meglena Kuneva: Annual RAPEX Report 2008




• Commissioner Kuneva speaks about dangerous sofas on "BBC Watchdog" EU to ban dimethylfumarate (DMF) in consumer products, such as sofas and shoes , January 2009 Commission Decision on products containing the biocide dimethylfumarate , 17 March 2009




• Personal Music Players Stakeholders' Conference - Brussels , 27 January 2009 Draft Agenda Keynote speech by Commissioner Kuneva on the conference audio (.mp3) - video Press release: European Commission gathers experts to tackle the health risks from personal music players Presentations given at the conference




• General Product Safety Directive implementation positive record 2004-2008 Report on the implementation of the GPSD




• European Commission adopts EU standard for baby walkers to prevent infant accidents Commission Decision of 22 December 2008 Film clip showing the testing procedure carried out to verify whether baby walkers are safe or not (.wmv) / (.mpg)




• Joint Press Statement Press Release: Consumers: European Commission hosts first high level EU-China-US product safety summit (17 November 2008) MEMO: Consumer Product Safety – a Common Objective (17 November 2008) MEMO: Questions and Answers: International Product Safety Week and international cooperation on product safety (17 November 2008) Speech: Meglena Kuneva: "High level EU-China-US Trilateral Summit on Product Safety" (17 November 2008)




• SCENIHR Scientific Committee opinion on potential health risks of exposure to noise from personal music players and mobile phones including a music playing function (October 2008) Press Release: Scientists warn of health risks from exposure to noise from personal music players Personal music players & hearing (Layman's version of the opinion, October 2008) Commission requests scientific opinion on potential health risks posed by personal music players and mobile phones including this function (June 2007)

• Read more about the new Rapex Logo

• Consultation on the draft of Risk Assessment Guidelines for non-food Consumer Products

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• Water safety guidelines for service providers (July 2008) Midday Express: Safer Holidays: Commissioner Kuneva welcomes new water safety guidelines Press Release: New water safety guidelines for service providers aim to enhance children’s safety throughout Europe Report: Protecting children and youth in water recreation: safety guidelines for service providers

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• New draft risk assessment Guidelines presented to the public: Workshop on 11 December 2007

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