Global Consumer Product Regulatory Monthly Report - July 2025: A Comprehensive Overview of Recall Dynamics and Regulatory Updates

I. Core Data and Category Analysis of Global Consumer Product and Automotive Recalls

In July 2025, the frequency and scale of global automotive and consumer product recall activities were significant. According to information disclosed by China's State Administration for Market Regulation on September 3, a total of 628 automotive recall campaigns and 504 consumer product recall campaigns were implemented at home and abroad during the month, involving 6.287 million vehicles and 13.4064 million consumer products respectively. These recalls covered major economies including China, the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan, the United Kingdom, and Australia (Note: The EU did not disclose the number of recalled vehicles; the EU, Australia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand did not disclose the number of recalled consumer products).

(I) Automotive Recalls: Distinctive Features in Assembly Defects and Brand Lineages

From the perspective of recall classifications by assemblies, issues with instrument panels, lighting, and auxiliary devices were the most prominent, accounting for 128 recall campaigns (20.38% of the total). This was followed by vehicle body and interior components (107 campaigns, 17.04%) and engines (82 campaigns, 13.06%). Together, these three categories accounted for over 50% of total recalls, emerging as the primary triggers for automotive recalls.

An analysis by brand lineage revealed notable differences in recall performance:

• Distribution by recall frequency: European-brand vehicles had the highest recall frequency, with 247 campaigns (39.33% of the total). This was followed by American-brand vehicles (193 campaigns, 30.73%) and Japanese-brand vehicles (76 campaigns, 12.10%).

• Distribution by recall volume: American-brand vehicles had the largest recall scale, involving 3.2942 million units (52.40% of the total recalled quantity). Japanese-brand vehicles ranked second (1.6227 million units, 25.81%), while European-brand vehicles accounted for 714,700 units (11.37%).

(II) Consumer Product Recalls: Children’s Products and Electronic Appliances as High-Risk Categories

Categorized by product type, children’s products had the highest recall frequency, with 188 campaigns representing 37.30% of total consumer product recalls—highlighting their status as a key focus of consumer product safety supervision. Electronic and electrical products ranked second with 142 recall campaigns (28.17%), followed by household daily necessities (38 campaigns, 7.54%). Collectively, these three product categories accounted for over 70% of recalls, making them the core areas of concern for consumer product recalls in July.

II. Regulatory Revision Dynamics for Consumer Products in Major Global Economies

In July 2025, economies including the EU, the United States, China, and Vietnam intensively updated their consumer product regulatory frameworks, covering areas such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), cookware safety, cosmetics, toys, and food contact materials. These updates further strengthened protections for consumer health and environmental safety.

(I) European Union: Multiple Revisions to the POPs Regulation + Supplements to the Toy Safety Directive

1. Frequent Updates to the POPs Regulation, Expanding Restricted Substances and Upgrading Standards

• July 14: Issued Amendment Regulation (EU) 2025/1399, adjusting regulatory requirements for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts, and related compounds. The regulation officially took effect on August 3.

• July 15: Introduced the updated POPs Regulation (EU) 2025/843, adding restrictions on UV-328 (a type of ultraviolet absorber). It took effect on August 4, bringing the total number of substances restricted under the EU POPs Regulation to 31.

• July 17: Amendment Regulation (EU) 2025/718 entered into force, refining the terminology describing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its derivatives. For the first time, it established limits for unintended residual contaminants of PFOS salts and lowered the standards for unintended residues of PFOS-related compounds in substances, mixtures, and articles. The new restrictions will take effect on December 3.

• July 24: Adopted a draft amendment aiming to lower the limits for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Annex I of the POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, further tightening controls on the use of such hazardous substances.

2. Supplements to Exemptions under the Toy Safety Directive, Refining Cobalt RegulationOn July 9, the European Commission adopted a draft amendment to Appendix A of Annex II to the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, adding three exemption clauses for the use of cobalt. The public consultation period for the draft ends on September 7, 2025, aiming to balance toy safety with production practicality.

(II) United States: Washington State Strengthens Lead Contamination Controls for Metal Cookware

On July 27, Washington State’s SB 5628 officially took effect, establishing phased lead limits for aluminum and brass cookware and tableware: lead content must be below 90 ppm starting in 2026, and further tightened to below 10 ppm starting in 2028. This tiered standard aims to reduce health risks associated with consumer exposure to lead through tableware.

(III) China: Public Consultation on Revisions to Food Contact Material Additive Standards

On July 3, China’s National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment issued a notice, launching a public consultation on the draft revision of the National Food Safety Standard - Standards for the Use of Additives in Food Contact Materials and Articles. The revision focuses on core aspects such as the scope of additive use and limit requirements, aiming to further enhance the safety of food contact materials and prevent potential food safety risks.

(IV) Vietnam: Public Consultation on Cosmetics Regulatory Revisions

On July 3, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health issued Circular No. 34/2025/TT-BYT, formally proposing a plan to revise cosmetics regulations. The public consultation period ends on August 18. The revisions will cover key areas including cosmetics registration and filing, ingredient control, and labeling requirements, which are expected to optimize the regulatory framework for Vietnam’s cosmetics market.