The insatiable demand for cheap electrical goods has led rise to a sharp rise in the number of faulty and dangerous products withdrawn from sale.
They include a hairdryer which can spray molten metal from the nozzle and poorly wired kettles and toasters which can give potentially fatal shocks.
The number of recalls was almost 50% higher in the first half of this year than the whole of last year.
There were 29 recalls of faulty or dangerous consumer goods in the UK in the first half of this year, compared with 20 all in 2004 according to European Commission figures.
As well as electrical equipment the list includes toys, utensils, candles and garden equipment. Most of the items were made in China.
The EU is discussing with the authorities in China ways of improving the quality of their goods, by trying to educate industry to the higher European safety standards.
Major retailers affected by product recalls include all the major high street chains including such companies as Argos.
One interesting footnote is that the hair dryer that spits molten metal at its unfortunate owner does in fact brandish an approved “CE” safety label? No-one from the European Safety Standards Council was available to comment on that fact though!