[REPORT]

Motor vehicles rank second on the list of recalled products

With 197 notifications motor vehicles rank second, behind toys (417), on the list of recalled products, indicating the threat represented both to the user and to the industry by the import of products that prove to be harmful.

A report by the European Commission on the Rapid Alert System (RAPEX) revealed that the number of dangerous products removed from the EU market rose by 53% in 2007 to 1605. Toys were by far the most notified product category in 2007. However motor vehicles also featured prominently in the RAPEX system.

In the category of motor vehicles minimotos and off-road motorcycles are the most represented in the RAPEX list. These vehicles intended for children and youngsters pose a serious risk of injuries because of extremely poor design and materials.

Since minimotos and off-road motorcyles are not intended to be used on public roads it is not required that they comply with Directive 2002/24/EC that regulates the type-approval of two or three-wheel motor vehicles. However, while the motocross sports is highly regulated by the FIM, these faulty products often do not even comply with the Machinery Directive.

The mini-motorbikes market outside of the traditional distribution channels is expanding. This explains why consumers receive poor information on the usage limitations and legal requirements. An intensified cooperation on product safety with non-EU countries and a strict market surveillance are needed if the import of non-conforming  products is to be halted. ACEM has established a standard of Construction and Safety Requirements for Off-road Motorcycles in the absence of a specific European harmonised standard and is preparing the future CEN standard.

No safety problems have been reported on motocross machines produced and distributed by ACEM manufacturers. The problem when dealing with products of doubious origin is that the manufacturer can not be identified and the only possible corrective measure is the withdrawal from the market ordered by the authorities. Motocross motorcycles represent a long tradition for the industry. About 100.000 licensed riders in the EU use these PTWs.

RAPEX is the EU rapid alert system for dangerous consumer products – with the exception of food, pharmaceutical and medical devices, which are covered by other mechanisms. It facilitates the rapid exchange of information between Member States and the Commission on measures taken to prevent or restrict the marketing or use of products posing a serious risk to the health and safety of consumers.

The RAPEX report shows that more and more products are being detected and destroyed before they can harm EU consumers. Public authorities are stepping up to their responsibilities when it comes to consumer protection.

The number of RAPEX notifications has risen steeply over the last few years and has more than tripled from 468 in 2004 (when a new product safety legislation came into force) to 1.605 in 2007. The steady growth in RAPEX alerts can be ascribed to more effective product safety enforcement by national authorities, greater awareness amongst businesses of their obligations, enhanced cooperation with third countries, and network-building actions coordinated by the Commission.

Link:

RAPEX website
ACEM website: Construction and Safety Requirements for Off-road Motorcycles