November 25, 2025
LONDON – There were 3,745 product recalls across the EU and UK in the third quarter of 2025, a 1.6% decrease from Q2, according to Sedgwick’s latest European Product Safety and Recall Index report. While this marks the second consecutive quarter of declining activity, recall volumes remain high for 2025. Year-to-date totals are 8.4% above the same period in 2024, placing 2025 firmly on track to set a new annual record.
Sedgwick’s European Product Safety and Recall Index report report further reveals how product safety is evolving across five industries. In Q3, there were fewer recalls in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer product sectors compared to the previous quarter. The consumer product industry experienced the largest drop at 16.8%, while pharmaceutical and medical device recalls fell 2.9% and 5.9%, respectively. In contrast, both the automotive and food and beverage sectors saw increases, with the automotive industry recording its highest quarterly total in more than a decade.
In addition to the recall data, Sedgwick’s European Product Safety and Recall Index report also provides essential insights into the evolving regulatory landscape and what product safety stakeholders should anticipate in the remainder of 2025 and beyond. In the third quarter, EU and UK regulators shared similar priorities. Both governments announced measures to make their respective jurisdiction a hub for life sciences innovation and research and made progress on their efforts to update medical device regulations.
Making online shopping safer for consumers was another shared goal, although regulatory authorities are taking slightly different approaches. The UK’s new Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 includes obligations for e-commerce platforms, while the EU is increasing customs oversight of imported products that will be sold online.
Looking ahead, lawmakers continue to explore the best way to safely integrate AI into more applications. TheEU advanced multiple initiatives intended to clarify the role of AI in product safety and the applicability of new regulations for certain AI models. The UK’s approach focuses on ensuring product liability rules are current with risks posed by emerging technologies.
Food safety remains top of mind in both jurisdictions as well. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) issued its 10-Year Health Plan for England, which includes reforms to food labelling and advertising, as well as reporting requirements for food producers and retailers. In the EU, regulators want to expand accountability for keeping foods free from dangerous levels of Listeria.
“While the UK and EU have similar priorities on their regulatory agendas, the two regimes will not always align. Any differences can create compliance challenges for companies operating in both markets,” noted Chris Occleshaw, International Product Recall Consultant at Sedgwick. “Additionally, shifting trade rules, supply chain constraints, and geopolitical tensions are creating an increasingly complex and onerous risk landscape for businesses. It is crucial for brands to establish and maintain robust compliance, communications, recall, and crisis plans to ensure they are prepared when any type of in-market event arises.”
To download the latest European Product Safety and 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.
