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# Recall

> A measure aimed at achieving the return of a product that has already been made available to the end user.

## Definition

A recall is any measure aimed at achieving the return of a product that has already been made
available to the end user, as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/1020.

## Expanded Explanation

Recall is the most severe standard corrective measure because it reaches past the supply chain to
people who already own the product. It normally involves a public notice, a return or remedy route,
traceability of affected units, and reporting to the competent authorities.

Two regimes matter in practice. Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 defines recall as a market surveillance
measure across EU product law. Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety sets specific
duties for consumer product recalls, including the content of a recall notice and the remedies that
must be offered.

Digital Product Passports change recall mechanics more than recall law. A passport gives a durable,
product-level channel that an owner can reach after purchase, and identifiers make it possible to
scope a recall to the affected batches rather than the whole model.

## Why It Matters

Recall is where identification quality is tested. If batch or serial identity is weak, the recall
scope widens to protect safety, and cost rises accordingly.

## Legal and Regulatory Context

Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 for the general market surveillance definition; Regulation (EU) 2023/988
for consumer product safety recalls and notice requirements.

## Relationship to Adjacent Concepts

Recall sits above withdrawal on the corrective action ladder, and both are ordered or accepted by a
market surveillance authority.

## Common Misconceptions

#### A recall always means the product is dangerous

Recall is a measure, not a verdict on hazard level. It is used where return from end users is the
proportionate response, which is common for safety but not limited to it.

## Related Terms

* [Withdrawal](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/withdrawal)
* [Corrective Action](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/corrective-action)
* [Market Surveillance Authority](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/market-surveillance-authority)
* [Product Traceability](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/product-traceability)

## Related Knowledge Base Articles

* [How Digital Product Passports Will Be Enforced](/docs/knowledge-base/regulations/how-digital-product-passports-will-be-enforced)
* [What Is a Digital Product Passport?](/docs/knowledge-base/digital-product-passports/what-is-a-digital-product-passport)

## Related Articles

* [Corrective Action](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/corrective-action)
* [Market Surveillance](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/market-surveillance)
* [Market Surveillance Authority](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/market-surveillance-authority)
* [Withdrawal](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/withdrawal)
* [Authorised Representative](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/authorised-representative)
* [Conformity Assessment](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/conformity-assessment)
* [EU Declaration of Conformity](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/eu-declaration-of-conformity)
* [Harmonised Standard](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/harmonised-standard)

## See Also

* [Regulations](/docs/knowledge-base/regulations/overview)
* [Governance & Assurance](/docs/knowledge-base/compliance-frameworks/overview)

## References

* Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 on market surveillance and compliance of products:
  [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/1020/oj](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/1020/oj)
* Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety:
  [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/988/oj](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/988/oj)

## About This Article

About This Article

<dl>
  <dt>
    Last Reviewed
  </dt>

  <dd>
    2026-08-09
  </dd>

  <dt>
    Next Scheduled Review
  </dt>

  <dd>
    2027-08-09
  </dd>

  <dt>
    Article Version
  </dt>

  <dd>
    1.0
  </dd>
</dl>

tieback Knowledge is a continuously maintained reference library covering Digital Product
Passports, product traceability, product compliance and related regulations. Articles are
reviewed regularly as legislation, standards and implementation guidance evolve.

## Related Docs

* [Regulations](/docs/knowledge-base/regulations/overview)
* [Digital Product Passports](/docs/knowledge-base/digital-product-passports/overview)
* [Glossary](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/overview)