The European Union’s Safety Gate rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products has issued a recall notice for multiple ski boot models under the HEAD brand, following reports of material defects that may lead to injuries.
Alert Overview
• Alert number: SR/00488/26
• Notifying country: Austria
• Product category: Hobby / sports equipment
• Product type: Consumer ski boots
• Brand: HEAD
• Recall action: Product recall from end users
• Effective date: January 27, 2026
• Legal basis: Non-compliance with the EU General Product Safety Regulation
Affected Models
The recall applies to multiple ski boot models produced between 2016 and 2022, including:
• ADVANT EDGE 105
• ADVANT EDGE 85 R
• FORMULA 120
• FORMULA 120 GW
• FORMULA RS 120
• FORMULA RS 120 GW
• NEXT EDGE 85HT
• RAPTOR 40HT
• RAPTOR 50HT
• VECTOR 130 RS
• VECTOR EVO ST
Associated batch numbers include:
601113, 601150, 602113, 602124, 602127, 606616, 607056, 607311, 607335, 607337, 608033, 608113, 609060.
Risk Description
According to the Safety Gate notification, the affected ski boots may develop tears and cracks during their expected service life.
Such defects could lead to:
• Loss of control while skiing
• Increased risk of falls
• Potential injuries to the user
The products were found not to comply with the EU General Product Safety Regulation.
Corrective Measures
The manufacturer has initiated a recall from end users.
Consumers are advised to check their ski boot models and batch numbers and follow the recall instructions provided on the official website:
Recall information: https://www.head.com/de_AT/recalls
Industry Implications
This recall highlights several ongoing trends in the European sporting goods market:
1. Tightened enforcement of product safety regulations under the EU’s updated General Product Safety framework.
2. Increased scrutiny of long-term material durability, not only initial product performance.
3. Greater expectations for traceability and after-sales recall systems across the sporting goods sector.
For manufacturers, importers, and distributors operating in the EU, the case serves as a reminder to:
• Maintain robust product life-cycle testing
• Monitor field performance data
• Ensure rapid recall execution capabilities
As regulatory oversight continues to strengthen across Europe, proactive quality management and compliance strategies will remain critical for global sporting goods brands.
