Geneva (September 5, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 112.25, summarizing key findings from the European Commission’s 2024 Safety Gate Rapid Alert System Report.
The Safety Gate Rapid Alert System, designed to protect consumers from dangerous products, recorded 4,137 alerts in 2024. This nearly doubles the 2022 total and confirms a continuing rise in safety issues for cosmetic products, which accounted for 36% of all alerts reported. Other categories remained largely unchanged compared to previous reporting periods.
97% of the alerts notified on cosmetics with a chemical risk were reported to contain 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA) – a synthetic fragrance ingredient widely used in different types of cosmetics and has been banned from the EU market since March 2022.
China was highlighted as the country of origin for the majority of products subject to alerts. The EU’s 2006 establishment of its information and training program SPEAC, for safe non-food consumer products in the EU and China, reflects closer collaboration to protect consumers. This includes an action plan on online product safety, as well as an agreement to report actions taken against dangerous products sold online within 21 days.
SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 112.25 includes detailed statistical and graphical breakdowns of information from the Safety Gate Rapid Alert System.
Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 112.25 for more information.
SGS consumer product services
SGS provides news about the development of regulations affecting consumer products as a complimentary service. With an unrivaled global network of laboratories, they offer physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s consumer product services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full SafeGuardS article European Commission Publishes 2024 Annual Safety Gate Report.
Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.
For further information contact:
Lily Jiang
Global Head of Cosmetics, Dermatology & Hygiene Products
Tel: +1 (972) 392 1529
Website: www.sgs.com/cosmetics
LinkedIn: SGS Cosmetics & Personal Care
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).