February 18, 2025
Sedgwick brand protection releases year-in-review analysis of 2024 European recall data
LONDON, 18 February 2025 – There were 14,484 European product recalls across five key industries in 2024, according to Sedgwick brand protection’s 2025 European State of the Nation Recall Index report. This represents the sixth consecutive year of recall growth and the highest annual total on record.
Notably, each quarter in 2024 saw an unprecedented 3,500 recalls, with Q4 alone setting a new single-quarter record of 3,903 events. This consistent rise reflects the intensifying regulatory scrutiny and shifting safety expectations that manufacturers must proactively manage in today’s evolving landscape.
Sedgwick’s quarterly Recall Index report analyses recall data across the UK and EU automotive, consumer product, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. This special edition not only includes fourth quarter events but also provides a comprehensive year-in-review analysis of 2024 recall activity and emerging product safety trends.
In 2024, recall volumes surged in several sectors, with food and beverage (+12.2%), medical devices (+11.1%), and consumer products (+32.9%) all surpassing their 2023 figures and setting new annual records. The food and beverage sector crossed a significant threshold, recording over 5,000 recalls for the first time, while the consumer products industry reached its highest annual total in 11 years with 4,376 events. In contrast, the automotive sector saw an 8.0% year-over-year decline and the pharmaceutical industry reported one fewer recall compared to 2023, reflecting relative stability amidst broader fluctuations.
Beyond the recall data and analysis, this report also provides essential insights into the regulatory developments that influenced 2024 and forecasts what stakeholders should anticipate in 2025. In 2024, regulators advanced rules to promote fair competition and trade, greener practices, and consumer protection. This included several cross-sector regulations that were proposed or went into effect, as well as major shifts in specific industries, such as the EU’s General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) and the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC Act).
Like many other jurisdictions, both the UK and EU are taking steps to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The EU’s AI Act took effect in August, establishing a risk-based framework for regulating AI. In contrast, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is advocating for a more flexible approach, allowing individual industries to shape rules tailored to their specific needs. As regulators continue to refine their strategies, businesses should anticipate further developments in AI regulations throughout 2025.
“While recall activity is impossible to predict with certainty, current trends indicate overall recall numbers will continue to increase in 2025,” said Chris Occleshaw, International Product Recall Consultant at Sedgwick. “Businesses face an increasingly complex risk landscape shaped by overlapping regulatory obligations and diverging approaches across regions like the EU, UK, and U.S. businesses need to be diligent about reviewing their risks and regularly update their plans for responding to product recalls and in-market challenges.”
To download the latest European Recall Index report, click here.
The Sedgwick brand protection Recall Index is published every quarter. It is the only report that aggregates and tracks recall data across the EU and UK to help industry stakeholders navigate the regulatory environment, product recalls, and other in-market challenges. For more information, visit www.sedgwick.com/brandprotection.
About Sedgwick
Sedgwick is a leading global provider of claims management, loss adjusting and technology-enabled business solutions. The company provides a broad range of resources tailored to clients’ specific needs in casualty, property, marine, benefits, brand protection and other lines. At Sedgwick, caring counts; through the dedication and expertise of over 33,000 colleagues across 80 countries, the company takes care of people and organizations by mitigating and reducing risks and losses, promoting health and productivity, protecting brand reputations, and containing costs that can impact performance. Sedgwick’s majority shareholder is The Carlyle Group; Stone Point Capital LLC, Altas Partners, CDPQ, Onex and other management investors are minority shareholders. For more, see sedgwick.com.
