health
Careful with Chemistry
The largest number of unsafe products on the European Union market concerns cosmetics, according to the latest European Commission report.
TL;DR
- Cosmetics represented 36% of dangerous products reported in the EU in 2025.
- Toys (16%) and electrical appliances (11%) were the next highest categories.
- The EU's 'Safety Gate' system issued a record 4,671 warnings in the past year, a 13% increase from the previous year.
- A record 5,794 measures were taken, including product recalls and online offer removals.
- Hazardous chemicals posed the greatest risk, accounting for 53% of all reports.
- Specific concerns include the presence of BMHCA in cosmetics, linked to reproductive health and skin irritation, and TPO in nail polishes, a chemical banned in 2025.
- Consumers are advised to check product composition, origin, seller, price, packaging, and reviews, especially for online purchases.
- Serbia is not part of the system but domestic institutions monitor European warnings, and unsafe products can appear in the regional market.