The RAPEX report revealed that the number of dangerous products removed from the EU market rose by 53% in 2007 to 1,605. With 417 notifications, toys were by far the most-recalled product category in 2007. However, with 197 notifications, 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. The European Commission says many of these vehicles, intended for children and youngsters, pose a serious risk of injuries because of extremely poor design and materials.
Minimotos and off-road motorcycles are not intended to be used on public roads and it is not required that they comply with Europe's on-road regulations.
Since the mini-motorbikes market outside of the traditional distribution channels is expanding, EI regulators say they feel an intensified cooperation on product safety with non-EU countries and strict market surveillance are needed to halt the import of non-conforming products.
