Learn about the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), which came into effect on December 13, 2024 and impacts all businesses selling into the European Union (EU). This article contains a general overview of the regulation, who and what it applies to, product exemptions, and general compliance requirements. Webinterpret has developed an automated solution for GPSR compliance that ensures your business can effortlessly comply with the regulation and continue selling in the EU.
In this article:
What is the GPSR?
The GPSR is a key legislative framework to ensure consumer product safety within the EU. It replaces the previous General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), which enhanced consumer protection by establishing robust safety standards.
All businesses selling to the EU must comply with the new regulation (GPSR). Products imported into the EU from non-EU countries must also comply with the GPSR. Manufacturers, retailers and importers are responsible for ensuring compliance.
Product applicability and exemptions
Product applicability
The GPSR applies to all non-food consumer products sold in the EU that are not already covered by specific EU directives or regulations. This includes both offline and online sales, as well as new and second-hand products.
Product exemptions
Certain products are regulated by other specific EU directives and are not subject to the GPSR.
These mainly include:
- Medical Devices,
- Food and Food Products,
- Pharmaceuticals,
- Antiques.
Requirements for GPSR compliance
Importers must adhere to several key responsibilities to ensure compliance with the GPSR:
- Traceability: Ensure the traceability of products by providing details of their origin and supply chain.
- Product testing: Confirm that products comply with EU safety standards through testing or proper certification.
To comply with the GPSR, importers must fulfill the following requirements:
1. Label compliance,
2. Documentation requirements,
3. Appoint a Responsible Person within the EU,
4. Online listing requirements.
Label compliance
Labels must contain the following information:
- Manufacturer’s Identification*: Includes the name, registered trade name or trademark, and contact details including the postal and electronic address of the manufacturer and, where different, the postal or electronic address of the single contact point at which they can be contacted.
- Product Identification*: Provides a type, batch, serial number or other element enabling product identification.
- Product safety disclosures and hazardous materials labelling*: Includes specific warnings or documentation on safe usage, age suitability, and hazardous material information if applicable (for example, the CЄ marking to indicate compliance with health and safety standards).
- EU Responsible Person Identification**: Includes the name, registered trade name or trademark, and contact details, including the postal and electronic address of the manufacturer, importer or another designated entity within the EU who assumes responsibility for your product.
*Must be visible on the label or available through a QR code.
**Must be visible on the label.
Note: Labels and warnings must be translated into the official language(s) of each EU country where the product is sold.
Documentation requirements
Documentation must contain the following information:
- Technical Documentation: Maintain technical files showing compliance with EU safety standards, such as design, testing reports, and safety assessments. These documents must be accessible for at least 10 years after the product has been placed on the market.
- Declaration of Conformity (if applicable): For products requiring CЄ marking, issue a Declaration of Conformity demonstrating compliance with EU regulations.
Appoint a Responsible Person within the EU
If you are not based within the EU, a Responsible Person must be designated to ensure compliance with the GPSR. They can be the manufacturer, importer, or another designated entity established within the EU.
The Responsible Person must:
- Ensure product compliance with the GPSR safety standards,
- Maintain relevant compliance documentation,
- Act as a point of contact for EU market surveillance authorities and cooperate with them,
- Initiate product recalls or corrective actions if necessary.
Online listing requirements
Marketplaces like Amazon and eBay are responsible for ensuring that products sold by third-party sellers meet GPSR requirements. As such, certain information must be available on online listings.
Online listing requirements include:
- The product manufacturer,
- The EU Responsible person,
- Product documents,
- Product safety information,
- Take-back policy.
By following the above requirements, businesses can ensure their products are safe for consumers and compliant with EU regulations, fostering trust and reliability in the global marketplace.
Become GPSR compliant with Webinterpret
Whether you are an EU or non-EU established seller, Webinterpret can easily help you become GPSR compliant.
Webinterpret’s compliance solution automatically gathers and suggests GPSR data for your products when available, which you can apply to your domestic and international (Webinterpret) listings. Webinterpret can also become your EU Responsible Person, provided your products are vetted and approved for representation. If GPSR data is already available on your domestic listings, Webinterpret will copy and translate it to your international (Webinterpret) listings.
For more information, see GPSR compliance for your European listings.
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