Your EU Responsible Person under the General Product Safety Regulation

What is GPSR?

GPSR - the General Product Safety Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2023/988 - is the EU-wide safety law for non-food consumer products. It has applied since 13 December 2024, replacing the old General Product Safety Directive (GPSD).

Regulation (EU) 2023/988 In force since 13 December 2024 Applies EU-wide, all 27 Member States Replaces Directive 2001/95/EC (GPSD)

GPSR in one paragraph

GPSR requires that only safe products are placed on the EU market. It applies to almost all non-food consumer products - new, used, repaired or reconditioned - sold to EU consumers through any channel, including online marketplaces. It sets duties for manufacturers, importers, distributors, fulfilment service providers and online marketplaces: internal risk assessment, technical documentation, traceability information on the product, and - for products from manufacturers established outside the EU - a Responsible Person based in the EU under Article 16. It also strengthens the EU's Safety Gate alert system and gives consumers clearer rights when a product is recalled.

Who GPSR applies to

1

Manufacturers

Must carry out an internal risk analysis and keep technical documentation before placing a product on the market.

2

Importers & distributors

Must verify the manufacturer has met its obligations and not place or supply products they know to be unsafe.

3

Online marketplaces

Must display required safety and traceability information at the point of sale and maintain a single contact point for market surveillance authorities.

What GPSR requires

GPSR vs CE marking, and vs the old GPSD

GPSR is not a substitute for sector-specific EU product legislation such as CE marking under the Radio Equipment Directive, Machinery Regulation or Toy Safety Directive. Where such legislation applies, it takes priority for the risks it covers; GPSR fills the gaps as a general safety net (Article 2). GPSR also replaces the 2001 General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) with a regulation - directly applicable in all Member States without national transposition - and adds obligations that did not exist under the GPSD, most notably the EU Responsible Person requirement and stronger online marketplace duties.

Frequently asked questions

When did GPSR come into force?

Regulation (EU) 2023/988 has applied since 13 December 2024, replacing the old General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC, GPSD).

Does GPSR apply to Amazon, Etsy and other marketplace sellers?

Yes. GPSR applies to non-food consumer products regardless of sales channel, and Article 19 sets specific information requirements for distance sales and online marketplaces.

Is GPSR the same as CE marking?

No. CE marking relates to specific EU product legislation (electronics, machinery, toys, etc.). GPSR is a general safety net that applies to non-food consumer products alongside, not instead of, sector-specific legislation.

What is Safety Gate?

Safety Gate is the EU's rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products. GPSR strengthens reporting obligations, including a portal for economic operators to notify authorities of accidents linked to their products.

Do I need an EU Responsible Person because of GPSR?

Only if no EU-based manufacturer, importer, authorised representative or fulfilment provider already covers that role for your product. See Who needs an EU Responsible Person.

Note: This page provides general information, not legal advice. Specific obligations depend on your product and applicable EU legislation.

Check whether you need an EU Responsible Person

Tell us where your company is established, what you sell, and where in the EU you sell it. We will qualify the next step before any mandate is signed.

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