European product recall activity increased for the seventh consecutive year in 2025, with a total of 15,608 recalls recorded in 2025 – surpassing the previous record of 14,484 events set in 2024 – according to a report by Sedgwick.

Sedgwick’s quarterly report on European product safety and recall trends provides in-depth analysis of recall activity and regulatory changes across the automotive, consumer products, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors.

Recall volumes increased year-over-year across every European sector except medical device. The automotive industry and key consumer product sub-sectors were particularly notable – both recorded increases of more than 30% compared to 2024 and reached 10-year highs.

The food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors saw six-year highs, despite experiencing more moderate increases of 1% and 12%, respectively. While the medical device industry was the only one to experience a year-over-year decline, recall activity in 2025 remained the second-highest level on record, trailing only 2024.

Sedgwick’s State of the Nation Product Safety and Recall Index also found that regulating the development and use of AI was a key focus for both the UK and EU in 2025, with authorities considering how to promote innovation while ensuring the safety of AI-enabled products and software. The two jurisdictions also continued to advance significant overhauls to their life sciences sectors, including updates to medical device regulations and strategies to boost research activities.

Food and beverage companies may see new reporting requirements and updates to labelling and advertising rules as part of two big UK initiatives. However, an EU-UK sanitary and phytosanitary agreement could provide some relief from the need for certificates and checks on animals, plants, and related products traded across borders.

Chris Occleshaw, international product recall consultant at Sedgwick, said: “European businesses are navigating an era of record-breaking product recalls and rapidly evolving regulations. While regulators are trying to ease the burdens on companies and streamline compliance, there are still areas where multiple rules overlap or extend liability for the full product life cycle. These factors create uncertainty and complexity.

“Companies must invest in comprehensive compliance programs, closely monitor regulatory developments, and continually strengthen product safety standards and post market surveillance processes.”

---