When must I report a baby product accident to EU authorities?

You must report baby product accidents to EU authorities when they pose serious risks to consumer health and safety under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR). Serious risks include injuries requiring medical treatment, product defects that could cause harm, and safety hazards that affect multiple users. The reporting obligation applies to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and their authorised representatives when they become aware of dangerous products on the EU market.

What qualifies as a reportable baby product accident under EU law?

A baby product accident becomes reportable under GPSR when it involves serious risks to health and safety that could affect consumers. This includes physical injuries requiring medical attention and risks that directly impact consumer health and safety.

The regulation covers accidents involving products that cause or could reasonably cause harm through normal use, foreseeable misuse, or product defects. For baby products, this threshold is particularly important because these items are designed for vulnerable consumers who cannot assess risks themselves.

Risk Category	Examples of Reportable Incidents	Typical Severity Level
Physical Injuries	Cuts, burns, fractures requiring medical treatment	High
Suffocation Hazards	Choking, strangulation, or breathing obstruction	Critical
Chemical Exposure	Toxic material release, allergic reactions	High
Structural Failures	Product collapse, sharp edge exposure, entrapment	Medium to High
Design Defects	Manufacturing flaws affecting multiple units	Variable

Non-reportable incidents typically include:

Cosmetic damage without safety implications
User error without creating ongoing safety risks
Normal wear and tear from expected use
Minor scratches or marks that don’t compromise product integrity

The key distinction lies in whether the accident indicates a serious risk that could affect other consumers using similar products. Manufacturers who fail to meet safety standards face real consequences. The EU’s Safety Gate system publicly documents violations, creating a searchable record of companies whose products have been flagged as dangerous and removed from the market. This transparency mechanism serves as both a consumer protection tool and a powerful incentive for maintaining compliance.

The regulatory landscape includes multiple layers of oversight. Organizations like BEUC (the European Consumer Organisation) supplement government enforcement by investigating complaints, testing products, and pushing for recalls when manufacturers fail to meet safety obligations. This multi-tiered approach ensures comprehensive consumer protection and creates additional accountability for businesses operating in the EU market.

How quickly must you notify EU authorities about baby product accidents?

You must notify EU market surveillance authorities without delay upon becoming aware of serious product risks under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988. The obligation begins as soon as you learn of an accident that poses serious risks to consumer safety.

Notification Timeline Requirements

Action Required	Timeline	Responsible Party
Initial notification to authorities	Without delay upon awareness	Economic operator
Comprehensive accident details	As requested by authorities	Economic operator
Supporting documentation	As requested by authorities	Economic operator
Information sharing	Without delay	Economic operators in supply chain

The notification process involves multiple steps with different timing requirements. Economic operators must contact relevant national market surveillance authorities in affected EU member states without delay. This immediate notification allows authorities to assess whether urgent market action is needed to protect consumers.

Following the initial notification, authorities may request additional information and supporting documentation. Economic operators must respond promptly to such requests to avoid compliance issues.

What information do you need to include in baby product accident reports?

Baby product accident reports must include comprehensive product identification, detailed accident circumstances, and supporting evidence that allows authorities to assess risk severity and scope. This documentation helps market surveillance authorities determine appropriate response measures and identify similar risks in related products.

Essential Report Components

Product Information Requirements:

Complete model numbers and product names
Manufacturing dates and batch numbers
Distribution channels and sales territories
Technical specifications and safety certifications
Previous safety testing results

Accident Documentation:

Detailed sequence of events leading to the incident
Environmental conditions at time of accident
Product usage circumstances (normal use vs. misuse)
Immediate consequences and injuries sustained
Actions taken following the incident

Supporting Evidence Checklist

Evidence Type	Required Elements	Priority Level
Visual Documentation	Accident scene photos, product damage images	High
Medical Records	Injury reports, treatment documentation	Critical
Technical Data	Manufacturing records, quality control tests	High
Witness Information	User accounts, observer statements	Medium
Distribution Data	Sales records, affected batch information	High

You should also include your initial risk assessment, any immediate corrective measures taken, and recommendations for preventing similar accidents. This proactive approach demonstrates compliance commitment and supports authority decision-making about necessary market actions.

Understanding baby product accident reporting requirements helps you maintain GPSR compliance while protecting consumer safety across the EU market. Proper reporting procedures ensure swift regulatory response to serious risks and support your ongoing market access. At EARP, we are dedicated to helping manufacturers navigate these complex obligations through expert authorised representative and responsible person services that keep your products compliant and your business protected.