EU General Product Safety Regulation (EU GPSR)

Note that this information from the Department for Business and Trade should not be taken as legal or compliance advice. Seek independent advice based on your personal operational requirements.

Overview

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) – formally known as EU Regulation 2023/989 – has updated the EU’s product safety framework, replacing the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) 2001/95/EC. The aim of the GPSR is to make sure all products sold to consumers in the EU are safe. It came into effect on 13 December 2024 and introduces changes that affect both EU-based businesses and non-EU exporters, including those in the UK.

While the GPSR in many ways is similar to the previous GPSD, there are some new requirements for anyone selling products in the EU. If you are a UK business without a presence in the EU or Northern Ireland and sell products to consumers in the EU – whether you’ve manufactured those products yourself or not – you may need to make changes in the way you operate. If products sold in the EU are not compliant or safe, the manufacturer or retailer may face enforcement action.

Who should comply

The regulation applies to all parties involved in the supply chain:

• manufacturers and their authorised representatives
• EU-based importers
• distributors
• fulfilment service providers
• providers of online marketplaces

UK businesses selling products to EU consumers who need to be compliant are likely to either be manufacturers (if you make the product yourself or sell a product under your name) or a distributor (for example, if you run an online retailer). Other businesses in scope of the GPSR as listed, who are based in the UK, may also need to comply.

Compliance checklist

It is important for UK businesses who export to the EU any non-food consumer products in scope of the GPSR to ensure that you and your products are compliant with the new regulations. Here are some steps you could take to help check your compliance, but this is not a full or detailed list of your obligations.

Review product portfolio

Check if your products are in scope (most non-food consumer goods) and are still safe. If you are a manufacturer you may need to redesign your products or update documentation to meet GPSR standards, especially if your current risk assessments are not sufficient.

Check that there is an EU ‘Responsible Economic Operator’ (REO)

There must be an REO established in the EU or Northern Ireland who is responsible for compliance tasks. This can be an authorised representative appointed by the manufacturer, or where you have an agreement in place the EU-based importer or fulfilment service provider. Without this, goods are at risk of being blocked at the border. If you are the manufacturer of a product, you can appoint the REO or agree with an importer or fulfilment service provider to take on this role. If you are a retailor or other form of distributor, you may need to check that there is an REO for the product you sell.

Update technical documentation

Manufacturers of products must draw up and keep technical documentation about their products, including the risk assessment. EU-based importers will need to verify this documentation.

Check labelling and traceability

Label must include manufacturer details, REO info, and a product identifier such as a batch or serial number.

Audit your online presence

Make sure online listings comply with GPSR info requirements. Online listings must include key safety information, and non-compliant goods can be removed from online marketplaces.

Review recall and complaints procedures

Develop, check or improve product recall systems. Businesses must notify the EU’s Safety Business Gatewayopens webgate.ec.europa.eu in a new tab system if a dangerous product is placed on the market, an accident or incident has occurred involving the product, or a recall is being undertaken due to safety concerns.

GPSR in Northern Ireland

View guidance for businesses placing products on the market in Northern Ireland from December 2024opens www.gov.uk in a new tab.

Useful links and resources

View the following links for additional EU Commission and UK government resources.

EU - General Product Safety Regulation – full documentopens eur-lex.europa.eu in a new tab

EU – General Guidanceopens ec.europa.eu in a new tab

EU – Safety Business Gateopens webgate.ec.europa.eu in a new tab

EU – Safety Gate: Obligations for Businessesopens ec.europa.eu in a new tab

EU – Product requirementsopens commission.europa.eu in a new tab

UK – Overview of GPSR for Northern Irelandopens www.gov.uk in a new tab

UK – Guidance for GPSR in Northern Irelandopens www.gov.uk in a new tab