Por Redaccion 
The General Directorate of Consumer Affairs of the Junta de Andalucía has initiated the actions of the 2025 Consumer Inspection Plan, and one of the first campaigns to be launched in all provinces, on the occasion of the carnival celebration, is the campaign to control the safety and labeling of costumes, masks, and similar items intended to be used by children under 14 years of age, as these products are considered toys.
Consumer Affairs is focusing this campaign especially on two specific contexts, such as the celebration of carnival and the festivity of Halloween, when a greater number of costumes, masks, and masks are commercialized. According to the planned objectives, the Provincial Consumer Services will take samples for laboratory analysis and analyze the labeling of 176 products.
According to the initial planning, the control actions will be carried out 50% in the days leading up to and during Carnival, and the remaining 50% will be done during the celebration of Halloween.
In these inspection actions, aspects such as labeling, the presence of the CE marking, the safety of children’s clothing, specifically those with adjustable cords and strings, or whether safety warnings are included if the item is not intended for children under 36 months, will be reviewed.
Consumer Affairs reminds consumers who intend to purchase a costume, mask, or mask, to always prioritize safety over price. For example, in the case of masks and masks, it is essential to ensure that they have sufficient ventilation holes to avoid any risk of suffocation.
Costumes should not contain small pieces, nor sharp edges, sharp elements, or cords around the neck.
If makeup products are going to be used, it is necessary to check the expiration date and their components, in order to avoid possible allergies. In the case of decorative contact lenses, they must be purchased in establishments with qualified personnel and must have labeling in Spanish as with the rest of the products.
Consumer Affairs emphasizes that consumers are an essential link in safeguarding the right to safety. Products can pose risks such as potential suffocation, eye or ear damage, burns, cuts, etc. If products are found to pose these risks, it is necessary to report it to the Administration.
Consumers have the possibility to report products they consider unsafe. For this, it is essential that the complaint letter identifies the product with the name and the establishment where it was located or provides the product if it has caused any damage. You can also provide a photo of the product. The Administration will review the product documentation and carry out the necessary laboratory analysis and tests to verify compliance with safety regulations.
If the dangerousness of the product is confirmed, it is reported to the Consumer Product Alert Network, a rapid information exchange system that connects Consumer administrations at the regional, national, and European levels.
Products included in the Alert Network are removed from the market and the Administration also takes care of immobilizing the merchandise, prohibiting or suspending the sale of the products, ordering the withdrawal of stocks from establishments, and taking measures to recover those that have already been sold.