
For 10 years
the EU Rapid Information system (RAPEX) has been guarding European consumers
against un-safe non-food products. In 2013 a total of 2,364 measures were taken
by EU Member States. This figure indicates a 3.8% rise in alerts compared to
2012 and continues the increasing trend which has been apparent since the
establishment of RAPEX in 2003.
In 2013, clothing, textiles and fashion items
and toys (both 25%), were the two main product categories for which corrective
measures had to be taken. Among the most frequently notified risks caused by
these products were chemical risks, risk of strangulation, risk of injury and
choking. China is the number one country of origin in the alert system. Last
year, 64% of the total number of notifications on dangerous products related to
products coming from China.