More than 276,000 unsafe or non-compliant products were removed or prevented from reaching the Irish market in 2025 by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
That’s up from 178,000 unsafe products that were withdrawn in 2024.
The recalls, a total of 276,377, followed following consumer complaints, referrals from European networks, proactive investigations and work with Revenue Customs.
The CCPC said major recalls included over 120,000 circulating pumps and nearly 60,000 air fryers that posed serious safety risks to consumers.
The report shows that consumer protection enforcement also increased significantly.
It said inspections were up by 31% to 270, with the CCPC securing five successful prosecutions.
The first cases taken under new sales pricing laws were against major retailers including Boots, Lifestyle Sports, DID Electrical Appliances and Rathwood Home & Garden.
The CCPC said it is continuing to advocate for stronger powers and welcomes the Government’s forthcoming Bill.
The Bill will give the commission new powers to fine businesses for consumer law breaches.
According to the report, the CCPC also secured €350,000 in refunds from daa for more than 4,000 consumers who were overcharged during ‘flash sales’ for car parking at Dublin Airport.
The report also highlights a landmark cartel conviction following a CCPC investigation.
A Central Criminal Court jury unanimously convicted five private bus and taxi operators of bid-rigging in a publicly funded school transport tender.
The verdict marked a major milestone for competition law enforcement in Ireland, with a second tranche of cases scheduled later this year.
The CCPC also carried out 10 unannounced searches (dawn raids) as part of the watchdog’s ongoing cartel investigations.
CCPC Chairperson, Brian McHugh, said: “The CCPC had a landmark year in 2025. The conviction of five school bus operators for bid-rigging shows our commitment to tackling serious breaches of competition law and protecting taxpayers, businesses and consumers from the significant harm caused by cartels.
“Having long advocated for stronger enforcement tools, we welcome the Government’s commitment to provide the CCPC with increased powers which will enable us to deliver even greater outcomes for consumers,” he said.
The report showed there more than 2.2 million visits to the CCPC website, almost 43,000 consumers were assisted through its helpline and there were over 3.3 million views of the CCPC-sponsored RTÉ consumer rights series, The Complaints Bureau.
The appointment of Chief Adjudication Officer Brian Kennedy SC and 17 adjudication officers marked a significant milestone for competition in Ireland.
The appointments, part of Ireland’s new administrative competition enforcement regime, allow the CCPC to impose financial sanctions for breaches of Irish and EU competition law.
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, highlighted the Commission’s vital role in protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, supporting transparent and competitive markets and delivering tangible results.
“The achievements outlined in this report demonstrate the importance of strong, independent enforcement in maintaining trust in our economy and protecting consumers from unfair practices.
“I also welcome the CCPC’s growing role in areas such as digital regulation, accessibility, data governance and artificial intelligence. In relation to its advocacy work on issues such as access to vehicle history information and improving the home-buying process, the CCPC ensures that the consumer is central to its mission,” said Mr Burke.
