The New General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR): What businesses need to know

As of December 13, 2024, the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) has come into force in the European Union, establishing updated safety requirements for consumer products sold on EU markets, including platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon.

This regulation replaces the previous General Product Safety Directive and aims to enhance product safety standards. Its primary objective is to ensure a higher level of consumer protection by improving labelling requirements, product traceability, and introducing new obligations for manufacturers and sellers.

The new rules apply to both new and second-hand non-food products. They introduce additional responsibilities for sellers and manufacturers, who are now required to ensure their products meet safety requirements and maintain clear documentation regarding product origin.

For entrepreneurs trading on online marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, or eBay, it is crucial to be prepared for these new requirements. They apply to both large corporations and small businesses selling products in the EU.

In this article, we will explore the key changes for businesses operating in the European market and how to ensure product compliance with the new GPSR requirements.

For more detailed information about the GPSR regulation and its requirements, you can read the document here.

Countries covered by the GPSR Regulation

The new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) applies to all European Union countries, as well as Northern Ireland.

Due to Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU, and therefore, the GPSR does not apply to products sold in England, Wales, and Scotland. However, Northern Ireland remains subject to the regulation.

As a result, manufacturers in Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland) must comply with the UK General Product Safety Regulations (UK GPSR) instead.

Products covered by the GPSR Regulation

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) applies to non-food consumer products sold in the EU market, including new, second-hand, repaired, or refurbished items. This includes products such as electronics, furniture, clothing and footwear, toys, car parts, sports equipment, and more.

However, there are specific exemptions where the new requirements do not apply, including:

• Medicinal products
• Food and animal feed
• Live animals and plants
• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and microorganisms
• Animal by-products
• Plant protection products (pesticides)
• Products of plant and animal origin related to reproduction
• Antiques
• Certain types of aircraft
• Tourism-related equipment operated by a service provider for consumer transportation
• Products explicitly marked as requiring repair, refurbishment, or reprocessing before use

For these categories, specific regulatory frameworks and safety standards apply, depending on the nature and classification of the product.

Key requirements of the GPSR

In this section, we will outline the general GPSR requirements applicable to all sellers, as well as specific obligations for those selling on Amazon, Etsy, and eBay.

General GPSR requirements

1. Compliance with labelling and traceability requirements
   Sellers must ensure that all products sold in the EU and Northern Ireland comply with GPSR labelling and traceability requirements.
2. Appointment of a responsible person
   If the manufacturer is not based in the EU, a Responsible Person must be designated within the EU. This person is responsible for ensuring product compliance and coordinating cooperation with market surveillance authorities.

Who can be a responsible person:

• The manufacturer, if based in the EU
• The importer, if the product is sourced from outside the EU
• An Authorized Representative – a natural or legal person registered in the EU, appointed by the manufacturer via a formal agreement
• A fulfillment service provider, if based in the EU

Responsibilities of the responsible person:

• Maintaining technical documentation and providing it to authorities upon request
• Ensuring compliance with specific information requirements, including:
• Product type, batch number, serial number, or other unique identifier
• Manufacturer’s details: name, registered trade name or trademark, and contact information
• Clear instructions and safety information in a language easily understood by consumers
• Notifying authorities about dangerous products and incidents
• Cooperating with authorities and ensuring corrective actions are implemented

3.     Product labelling requirements

• Marking products with the contact information of the Responsible Person, manufacturer, and, where applicable, the importer
• Displaying product type, batch number, or serial number
• Providing safety information and warnings in the official language(s) of the country of sale
• Listing the Responsible Person’s and manufacturer’s name and contact details in product listings
• Including product photos and relevant identification details
• Displaying safety warnings and information in the listing’s language

After reviewing the core GPSR requirements, it is essential to consider the specific compliance procedures for each marketplace, such as Amazon, Etsy, and eBay. In addition to general requirements, each platform has its own regulated processes that sellers must follow to ensure compliance.

Amazon

In addition to the general GPSR requirements, Amazon sellers must follow these specific procedures:

Removing Non-GPSR-Compliant Products

• If you do not plan to continue selling products in EU marketplaces due to non-compliance with GPSR, remove the affected products from your inventory using the Manage Inventory panel or FBA Dashboard.

Adding Responsible Person and Manufacturer Information to Listings

• Details of the Responsible Person and manufacturer, along with relevant images and safety documents, will appear in product listings within 24 hours after confirmation.

Submitting Compliance Data on Amazon

• Use the Add compliance information widget in Manage Your Compliance Dashboard to submit the required data.
• Provide Responsible Person and manufacturer details for the following markets: France (FR), Germany (DE), Italy (IT), and Spain (ES).

This information serves as a guideline and does not replace legal advice. For specific compliance questions, consult your legal advisor.

Etsy

For sellers on Etsy, in addition to the general compliance steps, it is also important to add an Economic Operator:

• If you sell to EU countries and qualify as a “trader” (e.g., a registered business or professional seller), you may need to appoint an Economic Operator to comply with the Digital Services Act. This can be a manufacturer, importer, authorized representative, or fulfillment service provider.
• To add Economic Operator information, go to Etsy.com → Shop Manager → Settings → Partners you work with. Click Add economic operator, enter the required details (name, address, and contact information), then click Save operator. You can edit this information in the same section by clicking the pencil icon.

Important: Etsy does not provide legal advice regarding the need to appoint an Economic Operator. If you are unsure, consult a local legal advisor. Additionally, note that adding or editing Economic Operator information is currently unavailable via the Etsy Seller App.

eBay

For sellers on eBay, compliance with general GPSR requirements is essential for continuing operations in EU markets. To assist with appointing a Responsible Person, eBay provides a list of partner organizations that sellers can choose from:

• Webinterpret
• Cert-Rep
• Obelis
• Eucerep (ebay_support@eucerep.com)

This recommendation is intended to help sellers find individuals or companies that can assist in ensuring compliance with EU product safety regulations. It is important to assess whether these services meet your specific needs. Please note that eBay does not assume responsibility for the quality of services provided by these third-party partners.

Consequences of Non-Compliance with GPSR

If a product does not meet GPSR requirements, it may be classified as a “dangerous product”, leading to corrective actions such as fines, sales bans, or market withdrawals.

For online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay, GPSR non-compliance carries serious consequences:

●      Amazon:

As of December 13, 2024, all products on Amazon must comply with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). If a product does not meet the requirements, it may be removed from the platform, and participation in Lightning Deals will no longer be possible.

●      Etsy:

If Etsy receives a notification about a product’s non-compliance with GPSR, the platform may remove the product or suspend the seller’s account. Information about a product subject to corrective actions by a market surveillance authority in an EU Member State will be published in the Safety Gate – the EU Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products. This may lead to other authorities requiring similar actions within their jurisdictions. This could lead to similar enforcement actions by other authorities.

●      eBay:

On eBay, products that do not comply with GPSR requirements may become unavailable to buyers in the EU and Northern Ireland, directly impacting sales. Non-compliance with GPSR can lead to legal consequences, lost sales, and reduced consumer trust.

Conclusion

Compliance with the GPSR regulation is mandatory for sellers operating in EU markets and plays a crucial role in ensuring product safety and mitigating legal risks. Key steps, such as meeting labeling and traceability requirements and appointing a Responsible Person, must be implemented to minimize potential sanctions. Sellers on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay should closely monitor the regulation’s requirements and adjust their listings to align with the new safety standards.

Successful preparation and implementation of these requirements require a systematic approach and timely execution of all necessary steps. This not only helps avoid fines but also prevents product bans or market withdrawals, account deactivation or removal, and listing suspensions on marketplaces. Ultimately, compliance with GPSR strengthens brand trust and ensures product safety for consumers.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding GPSR compliance, it is advisable to seek guidance from qualified legal or professional consultants to properly execute procedures and prevent potential complications. If you need support in preparing for compliance, Disqover Agency specialists are ready to assist with product format selection for international sales, documentation preparation, account registration, and listing creation on Amazon, Etsy, and eBay. We ensure full compliance at every stage and facilitate a successful entry into international marketplaces.