European product recalls totalled 3,925 in the first quarter of 2025, marking the fifth consecutive quarter with more than 3,500 events, according to Sedgwick brand protection’s latest European Product Safety and Recall Index.
The figure represents the highest quarterly count recorded in the past 11 years.
The index tracks recall activity across five sectors in the UK, namely, automotive, consumer products, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
Recall volumes in the automotive and consumer product sectors increased in Q1 2025, each reaching their highest levels in over a decade. Recalls in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors declined. The food and beverage category recorded the largest decrease, down 14.5% from the previous quarter. Pharmaceutical and medical device recalls fell by 8.8% and 8.7%, respectively.
The report also outlined regulatory developments and potential issues facing product safety stakeholders through 2025. Trade tariffs imposed by the US were cited as a source of ongoing uncertainty, particularly in supply chain planning. This is expected to remain a factor into the second quarter.
Within Europe, regulators continue to pursue policy changes aimed at improving market conditions and addressing emerging technologies. The EU and UK are progressing with new artificial intelligence regulations, while wider environmental measures are being explored in areas such as agriculture and packaging.
The report highlighted several recent rulings from the Court of Justice of the European Union that may affect how liability is assessed for distributors and refine the legal distinction between medical devices and medicinal products.
“For the fifth consecutive quarter, European recall activity has reached an unprecedented level,” said Chris Occleshaw, international product recall consultant at Sedgwick. “As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve and new obligations emerge, businesses are confronted with an increasingly complex and demanding risk landscape. This dynamic not only heightens the challenges of brand protection and compliance but also underscores the importance of robust preparedness. In the face of potential non-compliance or an in-market product crisis, it is essential that businesses take proactive steps to mitigate risks and ensure they are ready for every eventuality.”
