UK Product Safety Database Alerts November and December 2025 

Market surveillance authorities, including the Office for Product Safety and Standards and Local Authority Trading Standards, have responsibility for regulating product safety in the UK.  The Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls area is used by UK market surveillance authorities to notify unsafe and noncompliant products, including those that present a risk to the health and safety of consumers.  The online system serves as a single rapid alert system for dangerous consumer products.  Weekly reports are issued on the website.  The weekly reports only cover non-food consumer products; therefore, they do not cover food and drink, vehicles, or medicines and medical devices.  

Unsafe products that pose a risk to the health and safety of consumers may be recalled.  

CTPA regularly checks the notifications made via the rapid alert system website.  For information, below are recent notifications made:  

• A hand sanitiser presenting a chemical risk due to containing butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products. The product was withdrawn from the market. 

• A cologne presenting a chemical risk due to containing butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products. The product was seized from distributors and destroyed. 

• A body cream presenting a microbiological risk as testing indicated efficacy was lost over time, leading to growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The product was recalled from end users. 

• Two fragrances presenting a chemical risk due to containing butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products. The products were withdrawn from the market. 

• Three skin lightening body creams presenting a chemical risk due to being found to contain mercury. The products were seized for destruction. 

• Two perfumes presenting a chemical risk due to containing butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products. The products were destroyed. 

• An eyeliner presenting a chemical risk due to containing an exceeded maximum permitted concentration of carbon black (nano) colour pigment. The product was recalled from end users. 

• Several body lotions presenting a chemical risk due to containing hydroquinone and clobetasol propionate, which are prohibited in cosmetic products. The products were rejected at the border. 

• A body cream presenting a chemical risk due to containing clobetasol propionate which is prohibited for use in cosmetic products. The product was rejected at the border. 

• A face cream presenting a chemical risk due to containing clobetasol propionate which is prohibited for use in cosmetic products. The product was rejected at the border.