Ensuring the safety and compliance of electrical products in the European Union has never been more crucial. A recent EU-wide market study has revealed a 15% increase in unsafe CE-marked products since 2017 — a finding that underscores the urgent need for robust regulatory oversight, third-party testing, and market surveillance.

At Maven Regulatory Solutions, we help manufacturers, importers, and distributors navigate the complex web of EU compliance requirements, ensuring that all products meet the highest standards for safety, performance, and regulatory conformity.

Inside the EU Product Safety Study (2022)

In 2022, a comprehensive product safety market assessment was conducted across the EU to evaluate the compliance of common household electrical goods. The study involved purchasing 120 CE-marked products —

including:

• Battery chargers
• Luminaires (lighting equipment)
• Hair dryers and straighteners
• Space heaters
• Toasters, grills, fans, and irons

These products were tested in independent, accredited laboratories against European harmonized standards under the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU.

Testing was performed using:

• EN 60335 series for household electrical appliances
• EN 60598 for luminaires

Key Findings: Compliance Rates and Safety Risks

Of the 120 CE-marked products tested, 85 were found to be non-compliant with EU requirements.

• 28 products exhibited critical non-conformities that posed serious risks of injury, fire, or electric shock.
• The overall non-compliance rate increased by 15% compared to the 2017 study.
• Dangerous non-conformities rose from 17% to 23%, highlighting a worrying trend.

Despite all products being self-declared as compliant by their manufacturers or importers, the results reveal that CE marking alone is not a guarantee of product safety — especially when third-party testing is not performed.

EU Safety Gate and RAPEX 2022 Insights

The EU Safety Gate (formerly RAPEX) the rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products — reported 2,117 alerts in 2022, averaging around 50 safety notifications per day.

Breakdown of Risk Categories:

• Chemical hazards: 35%
• Injuries: 25%
• Choking hazards: 14%
• Electric shock: 9%
• Fire hazards: 9%
• Other risks: 8%

Notably, 8% of all alerts were in the Electrical Appliances & Equipment category, reflecting the need for enhanced enforcement and compliance monitoring across EU markets.

Digital Enforcement: The EU’s E-Surveillance Web Crawler

To combat the growing sale of unsafe and banned products online, the European Commission launched the E-Surveillance Web Crawler in April 2022.

This AI-driven tool automatically identifies listings of products with sales bans, helping authorities track and remove non-compliant sellers from online marketplaces.

This marks a critical step toward digital market surveillance, supporting national authorities in enforcing product bans and improving consumer protection across the EU. Why Non-Compliance is Increasing

The rising non-compliance trend can be attributed to several factors:

• Inconsistent manufacturer declarations under the CE self-certification system.
• Limited third-party testing and conformity assessments.
• Increased online sales of low-cost, imported electrical products.
• The lack of harmonized enforcement mechanisms between EU member states is important.

For companies importing or manufacturing electrical products, ensuring continuous compliance with EU Directives (LVD, EMC, RoHS) is essential not just for market access, but also for brand protection and consumer safety.

How Maven Regulatory Solutions Ensures Product Compliance

At Maven Regulatory Solutions, we empower manufacturers, importers, and distributors to meet EU and global compliance standards through:

• Regulatory Strategy & Risk Assessment — Identifying applicable directives, harmonized standards, and conformity routes.
• Technical Documentation Review — Ensuring CE marking dossiers meet the LVD and EMC requirements.
• Third-Party Testing Coordination — Partnering with accredited labs for product safety evaluation.
• Compliance Consulting & Submissions — Supporting CE marking, EU Declaration of Conformity, and notified body liaison.
• Regulatory Intelligence Monitoring — Tracking emerging regulatory changes and safety alerts.

With a data-driven and science-backed approach, we make product compliance simpler, faster, and globally aligned.

Conclusion: Building a Safer Market Through Regulatory Vigilance

The findings of this EU product safety study highlight a critical gap — CE marking alone cannot replace independent testing and regulatory diligence.

As non-compliant products continue to enter the EU market, the role of regulatory consulting firms like Maven Regulatory Solutions becomes even more vital.

Our mission is clear: to ensure every product that enters the EU market is safe, compliant, and trusted — supporting both consumer confidence and brand integrity.