The EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)

This is not legal advice. We strongly recommend consulting a legal professional before implementing these rules or if you have questions.

A simple guide to the EU General Product Safety Regulation

From 13 December 2024, the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) replaces the older Directive 2001/95/EC. It is designed to help ensure that products sold in the European Union are safe for consumers. Here is an introduction to what it means and how it affects businesses.

What is the GPSR?

The GPSR addresses the safety of consumer products in the EU. It covers a broad range of goods, with exceptions for categories such as medicines and food.

It applies to new products and, within its scope, used, repaired and reconditioned products re-entering the commercial supply chain. Products exclusively intended for industrial use require a different assessment. An item explicitly offered for repair or reconditioning before use is treated differently from a ready-to-use product; simply describing an unsafe item as broken is not a general exemption.

When does it start?

The rules apply from 13 December 2024. The transition for products placed on the market earlier depends on their compliance with the previous requirements.

Who must follow the rules?

Businesses involved in making, selling, storing or shipping products have responsibilities within the supply chain. In broad terms:

• Manufacturers: Ensure products are safe and have the required identification, labels and warnings.
• Importers: Check that products imported from outside the EU meet the applicable safety requirements.
• Distributors: Check that products they supply meet the relevant requirements.
• Retailers: Ensure products offered for sale comply and stop supplying unsafe products.
• Fulfilment service providers: Understand the responsibilities that apply to their role in storing and shipping products.

What is expected of retailers?

Retailers play an important part in product safety:

1. Check products before selling them and verify the applicable safety requirements.
2. Stop selling products that do not comply.
3. Inform the appropriate authorities about unsafe products and help resolve the problem.

Online offers need clear product identification and images, manufacturer contact information and relevant safety warnings. If the manufacturer is outside the EU, the offer must also identify the EU responsible person. Warnings must be in a language consumers can readily understand, as required by the relevant Member State. Article 19 sets out the distance-selling requirements.

Which products are outside its scope?

Examples of excluded categories include:

• Medicines and food.
• Living plants and animals.
• Antiques, including certain collectors’ items and works of art.

The legal definition matters. An old product is not automatically an antique for these purposes. For example, the classification of a vintage sewing machine depends on how it is presented and intended to be used; seek advice before relying on an exemption.

How does it relate to other laws?

The GPSR works alongside other EU product safety legislation. Where specific rules already cover a product, it can address aspects and risks those rules do not cover. It is especially relevant to online selling, where detailed product information is required.

How can you prepare?

• Review your products: Check which rules and requirements apply.
• Train your team: Make sure employees understand their responsibilities.
• Update labels and listings: Add missing information, particularly in online offers.
• Work with your supply chain: Ensure manufacturers, importers and other partners understand their roles.

Why does it matter?

The regulation aims to make shopping safer for everyone in the EU, protect consumers from harmful products and support fair competition. Preparation helps businesses protect their reputation, build customer trust and avoid compliance problems.

Product safety is also a legal responsibility. For the precise scope, exceptions and obligations, consult the official Regulation (EU) 2023/988 and obtain advice for your products.