What is the European General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR)

The EU General Product Safety Regulation (gpsr, EU 2023/988) officially entered into force on 13 December 2024. It has fully replaced the old General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) and become the core legislation governing product safety in the European Union.

This regulation aligns with new trends such as e-commerce digitalization and the application of new technologies, and strengthens full-chain safety responsibilities. Any business selling products to the EU and Northern Ireland must strictly comply, regardless of whether the company is established within the EU.

Scope of Application of GPSR

The core objective of GPSR is to protect the health and safety of EU consumers. It covers all consumer products with a clear list of exemptions. The regulation applies directly in all EU Member States without the need for national transposition.

1. Covered Products

• All non-food consumer products, including new, second-hand, repaired and refurBIShed goods

• Products sold through all online and offline channels, including cross-border e-commerce, independent websites and third-party platforms

• Products originally designed for professional use but subsequently released into the consumer market

• Specific categories: books, toys, electrical and electronic equipment, clothing, furniture, sports equipment, etc.

2. Exempt Products

• Human and veterinary medicinal products, food and feed

• Live plants and animals, genetically modified organisms, plant and animal by-products

• Plant protection products, means of transport operated by operators, low-risk aircraft

• Antiques, products clearly marked as requiring repair or refurbishment before use

GPSR Upgrades

Compared with GPSD, the new regulation has achieved major breakthroughs in liability, supervision and technological adaptation. The key changes are as follows:

Mandatory EU Responsible Person

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Non-EU businesses must appoint a responsible person established within the EU, who may be a manufacturer, importer, authorised representative or fulfilment service provider. This person is responsible for liaising with authorities and addressing safety issues.

Full Life Cycle Risk Assessment

Companies must conduct rigorous risk assessments covering the entire product life cycle: design, production, use and disposal, including emerging risks such as AI, IoT and cybersecurity.

Strengthened Traceability and Labelling Requirements

Products or packaging must display the model, batch or serial number, as well as the responsible person’s name, address and contact details. Age recommendations and safety warnings must be included where applicable.

Increased E-Commerce Platform Responsibilities

Platforms such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy are required to verify product compliance, have the right to remove non-compliant products, and cooperate with investigations by regulatory authorities.

Upgraded Supervision and Alert System

The former RAPEX Rapid Alert System for dangerous products has been renamed Safety Gate, enabling more efficient information exchange and significantly enhancing the enforcement powers of supervisory authorities.

Enhanced Consumer Rights

The EU’s statutory 2-year warranty is retained. Consumers can easily report unsafe products, and businesses must establish accessible complaint channels.

Mandatory GPSR Compliance Obligations for Businesses

1. Appoint an EU Responsible Person (Core Obligation)

• EU-based companies: May act as their own responsible person

• Non-EU companies: Must appoint an eu authorised representative or fulfilment service provider. Products without a responsible person are prohibited from being placed on the market

• Responsible person details must appear on the product, packaging, product detail pages and relevant platform backend fields

2. Product Information and Labelling Compliance

All product listings for the EU market must include:

• Full contact details of the manufacturer / EU responsible person (name, address, email)

• Basic product information: material, intended use, origin, batch / serial number, etc.

• Safety warnings, instructions for use, age restrictions (where applicable)

• Confirmation of the EU 2-year warranty

3. Technical Documentation and Test Reports

Companies must prepare technical documentation including product description, risk analysis, applicable compliance standards and test reports. Documents must be retained for 10 years and made available for regulatory inspections.

4. Risk Control and Recall Obligations

If a product is found to be unsafe, immediate corrective actions, recalls or removals must be taken. Notifications must be submitted to authorities via Safety Gate and consumers informed accordingly.

Practical Compliance Guidelines for Different Scenarios

1. Cross-Border E-Commerce Sellers (Amazon / eBay / Etsy / Independent Stores)

• Amazon: Complete dedicated GPSR fields, upload safety declarations, and select the “no warning” compliance option

• eBay: Fill in manufacturer and EU responsible person details in designated attribute fields

• Etsy: Add an EU economic operator in shop settings; non-EU sellers may use the platform’s partner service provider address

• Consequences of non-compliance: Product suppression, delisting, store restrictions

2. Non-EU Manufacturers

• Appoint an EU authorised representative and sign a written mandate

• Complete product safety testing and obtain test reports

• Improve labelling, instructions and technical documentation to ensure full-chain traceability

3. Publishing Industry (Books / E-Books / Audiobooks)

• Publishers are considered “manufacturers” and must conduct risk analysis and prepare technical documentation

• Non-EU publishers must appoint an EU authorised representative

• Copyright page must display publisher details, ISBN, place of printing and EU responsible person contact information

Risks of Non-Compliance and Compliance Recommendations

1. Consequences of Non-Compliance

• Product delisting, sales bans and platform selling restrictions

• Fines and legal liability imposed by EU Member States

• Product recalls involving high costs and brand damage

2. Quick Compliance Steps

1. Confirm whether your product falls within the scope of GPSR and check the exemption list

2. Appoint an EU responsible person and sign a formal agreement

3. Complete product risk assessment and safety testing, and organise technical documentation

4. Update product labels, detail pages and platform backend information

5. Establish procedures for safety complaints and recall management, and keep records

JJR LAB Professional gpsr compliance services

JJR LAB specialises in EU product safety compliance testing and certification services, providing one-stop solutions for businesses including:

• Preparation of GPSR risk assessment reports

• Product safety testing and technical documentation compilation

• Provision of EU responsible person services, liaison support and compliance labelling guidance

• Review and submission of e-commerce platform compliance documents

Our Advantages

✅ Up to 40% lower cost than industry peers

✅ Standardised processes and efficient delivery

✅ Dedicated one-to-one support to help products quickly comply and launch in the EU market

Businesses with GPSR compliance needs are welcome to contact us for a tailored solution and quotation!