A plain-language guide
What GPSR is and what it asks of a seller
A short explanation for makers who sell handmade goods to buyers in Europe.
In short
GPSR is Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety. It has applied since 13 December 2024 and replaced the older directive of 2001.
The idea is simple: every consumer product sold in the EU must be safe, and there must be someone in the EU whom the authorities and buyers can contact about it.
Who it applies to
- Consumer products: jewellery, home decor, clothing, toys, candles and other goods sold to consumers.
- New, used and handmade products alike.
- Online sales too: a listing that offers delivery to an EU country counts as selling in the EU.
Some product groups have their own, stricter rules, for example cosmetics, food and medical devices. We do not work with them.
What a seller from outside the EU needs
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A responsible person in the EU
A company or a person established in the EU who acts for you under a written mandate. Without one the product may not be offered to EU buyers.
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Details on the product and in the listing
The manufacturer's name and contact details, the responsible person's name and contact details, something that identifies the product, and warnings in the language of the buyer's country.
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Technical documentation
A description of the product and a risk assessment, plus instructions and test reports where they are needed. They have to be kept for ten years.
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A response to safety problems
If a product turns out to be dangerous, you have to inform buyers and the authorities and fix the problem.
What goes on the label
The details can be printed on the product itself, on its packaging or on a card that you put in the parcel. A typical label has four parts:
- the product name and something that identifies it, for example a batch or model number;
- the manufacturer: your name or business name, postal address and email;
- the EU responsible person: name, postal address and email;
- warnings and safety information, if the product needs them.
The same details go into the listing on the marketplace.
What the representative does and what stays with you
The representative
- gives its name and EU address for your products and listings;
- keeps your product documents and shows them to the authorities on request;
- passes on requests from the authorities and safety complaints to you;
- confirms the mandate on a public verification page.
You, the manufacturer
- make a safe product and remain responsible for it;
- prepare the documents: a risk assessment, instructions, warnings;
- put the details on the label and in the listing;
- tell us about changes to the product and about safety problems.
[LAWYER TEXT] This page is a simplified explanation, not legal advice. The exact duties of the parties are set out in the mandate.
Add an EU representative to your shop
Signing up is free. You pay after you sign the mandate and choose a plan.