A total of 128 products from five categories were selected during the research, purchased from online and physical stores in 12 countries: Belgium, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, France, Sweden, Hungary, and Germany.
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The main focus was on mass-produced goods that are easily accessible and inexpensive. They are often designed to appeal to children and adults – using bright colors, attractive designs, and pictures.
Every third trendy jewelry item contains heavy metals
Laboratory tests commissioned by national market surveillance authorities (MSA) found that every third sample of waterproof children’s clothing contains restricted synthetic chemicals, and every third trendy jewelry item contains heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, exceeding the permissible limit.
Out of all five categories, 25 products (20%) did not meet laboratory test requirements. The MSA took urgent action: banned the sale of 10 products and ordered another 10 to be removed from the market. Other products were destroyed or recalled from the market.
“Targeted inspections help identify higher-risk products and take timely measures. Every detected non-compliance means a specific action to ensure consumer safety. At the same time, it is a reminder for all of us to pay closer attention to what and from whom we buy,” says Goda Aleksaitė, Director of the State Consumer Rights Protection Service.
Harmful to health
Young children are particularly sensitive to the effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and heavy metals. PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals,” are widely used to make products resistant to grease and water. They do not easily break down in nature or the human body and can cause cancer, damage the immune, hormonal, and reproductive systems. They enter the body by inhaling contaminated dust from treated textiles or when children chew or lick fabrics.
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Heavy metals are neurotoxic, can damage kidneys and the nervous system, are carcinogenic, and nickel can cause contact dermatitis.
What can you do?
Buy from online stores that specify the product manufacturer and distributor. Before purchasing, check the EU’s “Safety Gate” system, where national authorities publish lists of dangerous non-food products, and make sure the product you intend to buy is not recognized as dangerous.
If you are concerned about a product you have already purchased, check its batch number or code with “Safety Gate” to find out what actions are recommended.
Detailed results
The research examined products from five categories, including toys, carnival costumes and accessories, bibs, children’s sunglasses, t-shirts, tableware, and inflatable pools.
- Children’s plastic products: all 21 products selected for the representative sample passed the tests.
- Cheap jewelry: out of 12 tested products, 4 (33%) contained metals exceeding permissible limits. All four items had excessive cadmium, one had high nickel, and another had excessive lead.
- Children’s clothing and footwear: 53 products were tested, of which 17 (32%) did not meet requirements for restricted chemicals, such as PFOS (a class of PFAS synthetic chemicals used to make products resistant to water, grease, and stains). Most non-compliant products were rain jackets.
- Cheap plastic consumer goods, such as phone cases, toys, and shower curtains: 33 products were tested: 3 (9%) did not meet requirements. Two contained PFOS, and the third had cadmium exceeding permissible limits.
- Children’s products with textile parts: 9 products were tested, of which one (11%) did not meet requirements for restricted chemicals (PFOS).
It was also checked whether warnings, labeling, and instructions provided with the products comply with EU regulations. In total, 33 samples (26%) did not meet requirements, mostly due to missing manufacturer data and batch, type, or serial numbers. The lack of this information complicates ensuring accountability for non-compliant products.
