Guide

How to check if a product you own has been recalled

There is no single worldwide recall database — every country runs its own, with different search tools and naming conventions. Here is the practical route, from fastest to most thorough.

1. Search by barcode

The number under the barcode (EAN, UPC or GTIN — usually 13 digits in Europe, 12 in North America) is the most precise identifier a product has. On this site you can open any product’s wiki page by its barcode; if we have recall records linked to that barcode, they are listed with links to the official notices. Not every official notice includes a barcode, though — which brings us to step two.

2. Search the official registers by product or brand name

• European Union: Safety Gate covers all member states — toys, electronics, cosmetics, vehicles and more.
• United States: CPSC for consumer products; FDA for food, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics; NHTSA for vehicles.
• United Kingdom: OPSS product alerts, FSA for food, DVSA for vehicles.
• Canada: the unified Recalls and Safety Alerts portal.
• Australia: the ACCC Product Safety recalls register.

3. Check the manufacturer’s website

Larger manufacturers maintain their own recall pages, often with serial-number checkers that are more precise than any public register — vehicle and appliance makers especially.

4. Register your products

For appliances, vehicles and children’s products, returning the registration card (or registering online) means the manufacturer can contact you directly — the most direct way to hear about a recall affecting you.

If you find a match

Stop using the product and read the official notice — it states the exact models, lots or serial numbers affected and the remedy offered. The notice always prevails over any summary, including ours.