After hitting a record high of 4,134 events in Q4 2025, the number of European product recalls fell to 3,413 events in the first quarter of this year, according to figures from Sedgwick. The 17.4% decrease marks the most significant quarterly decline since Q2 2020, though recall activity remains high against historical norms.

Sedgwick’s Product Safety and Recall Index report analyses recall data from across the UK and EU automotive, consumer products, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries, providing organisations with insight into emerging regulatory, operational, and supply chain risk.

Despite the overall reduction, only two industries recorded quarter-over-quarter increases in recall events during Q1 2026. Pharmaceutical recalls rose 36.8%, while automotive events increased by 17.1%.

All other tracked sectors recorded fewer recall events compared to Q4 2025, including food and beverage, medical device, consumer products, consumer electronics, toys, and clothing. Clothing recalls experienced the sharpest decline, down 34.6%, followed by toys, consumer electronics, and food and beverage, which fell 25.4%, 24.7%, and 23.2% respectively. Medical devices recorded the most modest drop at 9.7%.

Chris Occleshaw, international product recall consultant at Sedgwick, said: “The reduction in product recall activity should not be interpreted as a sign of reduced regulatory pressure or lower product safety risk. As we have seen time and time again, recall data can change quickly.

“Regulators are looking at both product lifecycles and stakeholders across the full supply chain. Companies should continue evaluating their risk profiles, strengthening supply chain visibility, and ensuring their crisis and recall plans remain aligned to today’s operating environment.”

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