Product recall activity across the EU and UK remained high in the second quarter of 2025, with 3,804 recall events reported across five major industries, according to Sedgwick’s latest European Product Safety and Recall Index.
This figure represents a 3.1% decline from the previous quarter, but recall numbers continue to exceed historical averages. It is the third consecutive quarter with more than 3,800 events and the third-highest quarterly total in over 10 years.
The upward trend in recall activity was also evident in the first quarter, when European product recalls reached 3,925. At the mid-year point, recall trends are notable. The first half of 2025 saw 7,729 recall events, a 10.2% increase compared to 7,011 in the same period last year. This marks an 11-year high and positions 2025 to potentially set a new annual record for product recalls.
In the first quarter, automotive and consumer product recall volumes in Europe reached their highest levels in over a decade, even as recalls in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors declined. The food and beverage category recorded the largest decrease, while pharmaceutical and medical device recalls also fell, reflecting sector-specific shifts in recall activity.
Sedgwick’s report highlights further shifts in recall activity by sector for Q2. The medical device industry saw the largest increase in recalls, up 12.1%. The pharmaceutical sector followed with an 11.8% rise, and food and beverage recalls increased by 2.7%.
In contrast, the automotive sector experienced a 41.5% decrease, and consumer product recalls fell by 10.6%. The report notes that businesses face ongoing regulatory scrutiny and operational risks in this environment.
The Index also addressed regulatory developments affecting product safety. In Q2, ongoing US tariff discussions influenced several industries, and the EU introduced new restrictions on medical device imports from China.
Regulatory attention to competition intensified, with several automakers fined for collusion and a new competition agreement reached between the UK and EU. These changes prompted many companies to reassess their trade partnerships and supply chains.
Regulators are also focusing on the entire product lifecycle. The UK implemented new post-market surveillance rules for medical devices, while the EU clarified producer responsibilities under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the EU Deforestation Regulation. These changes introduce new requirements for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and suppliers.
Looking ahead, both EU and UK regulators are updating frameworks or introducing new rules to address evolving product safety issues. The EU is progressing with a pharmaceutical reform package, the first major update in over two decades.
The new Toy Safety Regulation in the EU aims to improve consumer protections for online purchases. In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is increasing enforcement against illegal online drug sales.
Chris Occleshaw (pictured above), international product recall consultant at Sedgwick, said, “European product recall activity shows no sign of slowing down. With new obligations and additional product safety requirements being adopted, there will be even more potential for in-market events.”
He added that businesses must manage a growing risk portfolio amid supply chain challenges, trade negotiations, and increased responsibilities throughout the product lifecycle, requiring a strategic and well-practised approach to recalls and in-market issues.
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