Everyday consumer products: EU-wide checks to protect consumers
Esch-Belval, 19 October 2026 – A Europe-wide inspection campaign has detected PFAS and heavy metals in everyday consumer products.
As part of the European initiative "Coordinated Activities on Product Safety" (CAPS), market surveillance authorities (MSAs) from twelve member states, including the Luxembourg Environment Agency, conducted a large-scale inspection campaign covering several categories of everyday consumer products. Laboratory analyses revealed the presence of hazardous chemical substances and heavy metals in certain products sold on the European market.
A total of 128 products underwent laboratory testing. The products tested were sourced from both physical shops and online marketplaces and were selected because of their wide availability and particularly attractive prices.
Alarming results for certain products
The inspections revealed that approximately one in three waterproof garments for children contained chemicals subject to restrictions in the European Union. Similarly, one in three items of costume jewellery contained concentrations of heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium or nickel, exceeding the regulatory limits.
Of the 128 products tested, 25 (nearly 20%) failed to meet EU requirements. The relevant authorities took the necessary measures to withdraw the affected products from the market or prohibit their sale.
Special Focus on Child Safety
The substances detected during the analyses may pose risks to human health, particularly for young children.
These include certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often used to give textiles water-repellent or stain-resistant properties. These substances are particularly concerning due to their persistence in the environment and their potential to accumulate in the body. They are associated with various adverse health effects, particularly on the immune, hormonal and reproductive systems.
Heavy metals such as lead or cadmium can affect neurological development, the kidneys, and other organs. Nickel is also known to cause allergic skin reactions.
Luxembourg actively participates in European market surveillance
The Environment Agency analysed waterproof jackets and trousers in Luxembourg to check for the possible presence of banned per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In August 2025, a total of 12 items were collected from 5 physical stores in Luxembourg for testing.
Results in Luxembourg:
Of the 12 items tested, 5 jackets and trousers were found to be non-compliant with the applicable European requirements. These products were withdrawn from the market last year. As the levels in all 5 of them exceeded the regulatory thresholds by a particularly large margin, a notification was also published in the European Safety Gate system.
- H&M: Children's rain jacket
- JBC – Fish&Chips: Children's rain jacket
- Sports Direct – Karrimor: Children's rain trousers
- Sports Direct: Children's rain jacket
- QUECHUA: Children's rain jacket
How can consumers protect themselves?
Recommendations for consumers:
- Choose retailers and online platforms that clearly display the identity of the manufacturer and distributor.
- Regularly consult the Safety Gate portal, which lists dangerous non-food products reported in the European Union.
- Follow recall or withdrawal instructions if a product you have purchased is among those affected.
Consumers can also report incidents or safety issues via the European Consumer Safety Gateway portal.
Stricter product safety standards for EU consumers
These tests were carried out as part of the 2025 edition of the Coordinated Activities on Product Safety (CASP) initiative. The initiative is funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers and implemented in cooperation with the authorities of the Member States, including the Luxembourg Environment Agency.
Established in November 1980, the Environment Agency (AEV) promotes environmental protection and works to improve people's quality of life.
It supports political decision-making and ensures compliance with environmental legislation. It oversees human activities that have an impact on the environment and monitors and assesses the state of the environment.
The Environment Agency also promotes environmentally friendly practices and encourages innovation in the environmental sector.
Press release by the Environment Agency