As part of a European monitoring campaign, the Belgian Federal Public Service for Health analysed twelve low-cost electrical and electronic devices sold on the Belgian market.
The results showed that four products contained hazardous substances in concentrations exceeding the limits permitted under European legislation.
These products were withdrawn from the market, and several cases were referred to the relevant authorities.
Belgium participated in a European campaign to monitor the presence of hazardous substances in inexpensive electrical and electronic devices.
Environmental inspectors from the FPS (Federal Public Service) collected samples from 12 products sold by importers and distributors operating on the Belgian market: one USB flash drive, three pet gadgets (a light-up collar and animated toys), five kitchen appliances (kettles, a coffee grinder and a citrus juicer), one facial care device, one hair straightener and one hair dryer.
All these products, sold for less than €25, were purchased in physical shops or through online sales platforms operated by Belgian companies and analysed by a specialised laboratory.
Why are these substances a cause for concern?
The checks covered several substances whose use is strictly limited within the European Union: certain heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium), brominated flame retardants and various phthalates.
Of the 12 products analysed, 4 contained hazardous substances in excessive quantities, mainly phthalates, but also lead and cadmium. These four problematic products originated in China.
When discarded in nature or improperly recycled, these substances can contaminate water and soil and accumulate in the food chain.
They can also be released into the air through material degradation or waste processing. Several categories of phthalates are recognised as endocrine disruptors. Lead and cadmium are hazardous substances that can affect fertility, as well as the development of fetuses and young children. Lead is even classified as a substance of very high concern because of the risks associated with ingestion or direct exposure.
Infringements also noted in the documentation
The inspectors also checked the mandatory information that must accompany the devices. Irregularities were found concerning:
- The European conformity marking (CE)
- The environmental information contained in the instruction manual
- The name and address of a contact point established in the EU
All these violations resulted in requests for corrective action.
Defending our standards and ensuring their uniform application—including for products sold online and imported—means protecting consumers, supporting businesses that comply with the rules, and guaranteeing fair competition. Online sales platforms also have a responsibility in this chain of trust. This is also why awareness-raising efforts for platforms—within the framework of the LdSD Directive—should focus on high-risk categories and low-priced products.
Jean-Luc Crucke, Minister for Mobility, Climate and Environmental Transition, responsible for Sustainable Development
The four products containing excessive amounts of hazardous substances have been banned from sale. Three of these cases have been referred to the public prosecutor’s office, while the fourth has been sent to the Polish authorities for further investigation. These products have also been flagged on the Safety Gate platform, the EU’s rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products.
New controls are already planned for the second half of 2026.
Advice for consumers
- Avoid products whose price seems too low, as they are less likely to meet EU standards.
- Check whether the seller or supplier has an address in Europe. Within the EU, this information is mandatory for many products and allows consumers to identify a responsible party in the European market in the event of a problem.
- Look for the CE marking and bear in mind that some imitations, often incorrectly referred to as “China Export”, are not official EU markings and may therefore indicate incorrect or misleading information.
- Always take defective products to an authorised collection point. A list of these collection points is available on the Recupel website, the authorised operator for the treatment of electrical and electronic waste in Belgium.
Consumers can also check whether their purchase has been listed as dangerous on Safety Gate.
Obligations for economic operators
Manufacturers, importers and distributors are responsible for ensuring the conformity of the products they place on the market. They must ensure that their suppliers are reliable, verify the conformity of devices before they are marketed, and be able to provide, at the request of inspectors, all relevant technical documentation, from information provided before the order to test reports.
The results of the European JACOP campaign
These checks formed part of the “Joint Action on Product Compliance (JACOP) 2025” campaign, organised by the European Commission and conducted across all EU countries and Norway. A total of 173 products were analysed. Of these, 86 (just over 50%) were found to contain concentrations of hazardous substances exceeding the limits permitted by European regulations.
Forty-one products did not comply with legal labelling requirements. The proportion of violations was higher among online purchases made through international platforms. As in Belgium, the main non-conformities concerned excessive levels of lead, cadmium and phthalates.
