On Monday 19 October 2026, Luxembourg's Environment Agency reported the results of a European product safety campaign conducted in 2025, which found hazardous chemicals and heavy metals in certain everyday consumer products, including children's waterproof clothing and costume jewellery.
The inspections took place as part of the European Coordinated Activities on Product Safety (CASP) initiative, involving market surveillance authorities from twelve European Union (EU) Member States, including Luxembourg.
Authorities tested a total of 128 products purchased from physical shops and online marketplaces, selecting items based on their widespread availability and particularly low prices.
The results showed that approximately one in three children's waterproof garments contained chemicals subject to EU restrictions. Similarly, one in three items of costume jewellery contained concentrations of heavy metals, including lead, cadmium or nickel, above the permitted limits.
Overall, 25 products, representing nearly 20% of those tested, failed to meet European requirements. The relevant authorities took measures to withdraw the affected products from the market or prohibit their sale.
According to the Environment Agency, the substances detected may pose health risks, particularly to young children. These include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly used to make textiles water-repellent or stain-resistant. PFAS can persist in the environment and accumulate in the body and have been linked to adverse effects on the immune, hormonal and reproductive systems.
Heavy metals such as lead and cadmium can affect neurological development, the kidneys and other organs, while nickel can cause allergic skin reactions.
As part of the campaign, Luxembourg's Environment Agency collected twelve waterproof jackets and pairs of trousers from five physical shops in August 2025 to test for prohibited PFAS.
Of the twelve products tested, five failed to comply with European requirements due to significant exceedances of permitted PFAS limits. Authorities withdrew the products from the market in 2025 and published alerts through the European Safety Gate system.
The products withdrawn last year were:
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JBC – Fish&Chips children's rain jacket;
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Sports Direct – Karrimor children's rain trousers;
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Sports Direct children's rain jacket;
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QUECHUA children's rain jacket.
The agency advised consumers to purchase products from sellers and online platforms that clearly identify manufacturers and distributors. It also recommended regularly checking the European Safety Gate portal for alerts about dangerous non-food products and following any applicable recall or withdrawal instructions.
Consumers can report safety concerns or incidents through the European Consumer Safety Gateway.
The inspections formed part of the CASP 2025 initiative, funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers in cooperation with national market surveillance authorities.
