September 2, 2025
Sedgwick releases latest European Product Safety and Recall Index report
Product recalls across the EU and UK remained elevated in Q2 2025, with 3,804 events reported across five key industries, according to Sedgwick’s latest European Product Safety and Recall Index report. While this represents a 3.1% dip from Q1, recall activity continues to surpass historic benchmarks—marking the third consecutive quarter above 3,800 events and the third-highest quarterly total in more than a decade.
At the halfway point of the year, the trend is even more striking. Driven by Q1’s record-breaking numbers, total recall events for H1 2025 have reached 7,729—up 10.2% from the 7,011 events recorded in the same period last year. This represents an 11-year high and places 2025 firmly on track to become the most active year for product recalls ever recorded.
Sedgwick’s Recall Index further reveals how recall activity is evolving across industries. In Q2, the medical device sector experienced the sharpest increase, rising 12.1%, followed by pharmaceutical at 11.8% and food and beverage at 2.7%. In contrast, recalls declined sharply by 41.5% in the automotive sector and were down 10.6% in the consumer products sector. Against this backdrop, businesses must remain vigilant on matters of product safety as regulatory scrutiny and operational risk show no sign of easing.
In addition to the recall data, Sedgwick’s Recall Index report also provides essential insights into the evolving regulatory landscape and what product safety stakeholders should anticipate in the remainder of 2025. In Q2 2025, U.S. tariff discussions continued to impact multiple industries and new restrictions on EU purchases of medical devices made in China were introduced. Competition was another focus for regulators. Several automakers received fines for collusion, and the UK and EU reached a new competition agreement. With all these developments, many companies were evaluating their trade partners and supply chains.
Additionally, regulators continue to look at the full product lifecycle. The UK introduced new post-market surveillance rules for the medical device sector, and the EU clarified producer responsibilities under its Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and EU Deforestation Regulation. This means more requirements for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and suppliers.
Looking ahead, EU and UK regulators are adapting existing frameworks or introducing new requirements to account for modern product safety concerns. The EU is advancing its new pharmaceutical reform package, which is the first major revision in more than 20 years. In addition, the EU’s new Toy Safety Regulation targets e-commerce with more safeguards for consumers who buy toys through online platforms. In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is cracking down on illegal online sales of drugs.
“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,” cautioned Chris Occleshaw, International Product Recall Consultant at Sedgwick. “Amidst supply chain challenges, ongoing trade negotiations, and increased responsibilities throughout the entire product lifecycle, businesses must manage a growing risk portfolio. Doing so successfully requires a strategic and well-practiced plan for addressing product recalls and in-market challenges.”
To download the latest European Recall Index report, click here.
Sedgwick’s European Product Safety and Recall Index is published every quarter. It is the only report that aggregates and tracks recall data across the EU and UK to help industry stakeholders respond to the regulatory environment, product recalls, and other in-market challenges. For more information, visit www.sedgwick.com/product-recall.
About Sedgwick
Sedgwick is the world’s leading risk and claims administration partner, helping clients thrive by navigating the unexpected. The company’s expertise, combined with the most advanced AI-enabled technology available, sets the standard for solutions in claims administration, loss adjusting, benefits administration and product recall. With over 33,000 colleagues and 10,000 clients across 80 countries, Sedgwick provides unmatched perspective, caring that counts, and solutions for the rapidly changing and complex risk landscape. Sedgwick’s majority shareholder is The Carlyle Group; Stone Point Capital LLC, Altas Partners, CDPQ, Onex and other management investors are minority shareholders. For more, see sedgwick.com.
