The number of dangerous products detected on the Maltese market last year was significantly higher than in many other bigger member states.
According to the latest annual report by Rapex – the EU’s rapid alert system for non-food dangerous products – Malta notified it of 33 dangerous products found for sale last year, which in many instances had to be removed from the shelves.
Most were electronic goods manufactured in China, including night lamps, plugs and laser pointers. Other items included toys and lighters, which were also removed from the market.
Compared to Malta’s 33, which is similar to the previous year’s level, in 2011 Ireland only reported 29 similar cases, Italy 27, Austria 14 and Belgium just eight. In general, the total number of notified dangerous goods across the EU went down.
According to EU officials, there may be many reasons for Malta’s relatively high figure.
“Two of the most probable reasons are either that the Maltese authorities are doing much more surveillance than the other member states, or that many ‘dangerous’ and low quality products, particularly from China, are being imported into the island,” an EU official told The Times.
“Another reason might be that, since Malta imports almost everything from abroad, the chances of importing ‘dangerous’ goods are higher than other member states, which import much less of their needs than Malta,” he said.
EU Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner John Dalli said, though the decline of reported items in Europe was good news, member states must remain committed to tackle the challenges of the global supply chain and address any new product safety issues as they emerged.
“That is why building a system of Seamless Surveillance by strengthening cooperation in the EU and enhancing cooperation with international partners remains a key priority,” he told a press conference.