CONSUMER POLICY

European Union Member States, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have recalled, withdrawn or banned from their markets a total of 1,200 unsafe products in the first seven months of 2014, the European Commission Rapid Alert System for non-food dangerous products RAPEX shows.

"I am glad to see that the European countries have been actively monitoring the equipment, clothes, cosmetics and toys on their markets to ensure the security of consumers residing not only on their territory but across the continent," European Commissioner for Consumer Policy Neven Mimica said. "I encourage them to keep up with the good work and make sure consumers shop without worries across the EU."

Since its establishment in 2003, RAPEX has had a continued and steady expansion in terms of alerts received and follow up actions undertaken in response to such alerts. From around 200 notifications in 2003, RAPEX now receives and distributes more than 2000 notifications annually.