On 11 May 2026, Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemikalieinspektionen) published Supervision 5/26: Supervision of Consumer Electronics in 2025, presenting the results of its inspection project on household electronic products sold in Sweden. The agency examined more than 200 electronic products, including headphones, lamps and charging cables, to assess compliance with EU chemical and product safety legislation. The inspection focused on substances restricted under the RoHS Directive, REACH Regulation and POPs Regulation. According to the report, approximately 30 percent of the inspected products contained prohibited substances above permitted regulatory limits. The most frequently identified hazardous substance was lead, commonly detected in solders, cables and electronic components. Other substances found in excessive concentrations included phthalates such as DEHP and DBP, as well as short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), which are associated with environmental persistence and potential health risks. The agency noted that inexpensive electronic products showed the highest rate of non-compliance. The inspection also revealed that more than 80 percent of the non-compliant products carried CE markings despite failing to meet regulatory chemical safety requirements. Kemikalieinspektionen emphasized that importers and distributors have a significant responsibility to ensure compliance with EU legislation by implementing stricter supplier controls and improving knowledge of applicable chemical regulations.
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