Summary
The General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR) aims to ensure that products placed on the EU market are safe for consumers. It applies to all products, including those sold online, and introduces specific obligations for economic operators such as manufacturers, importers, distributors, and online marketplaces. The regulation emphasises the importance of product safety throughout the supply chain and enhances market surveillance to protect consumers from hazardous products.
UK exporters intending to sell products in the EU must comply with the GPSR's requirements. This includes ensuring that products meet safety standards, providing clear and accurate product information, and maintaining traceability throughout the supply chain. For each product covered by the regulation, there must be a responsible economic operator in the EU (such as a EU manufacturer, importer, authorised representative, or a fulfilment service provider) entrusted with tasks relating to the safety of the product. Economic operators are required to establish internal processes to monitor product safety, cooperate with market surveillance authorities, and take corrective measures when necessary. Additionally, they must inform authorities about accidents caused by a product and provide data to a traceability system that may be established by the European Commission.
Non-compliance with the GPSR can lead to significant consequences, including fines, product recalls, or bans. Therefore, UK exporters must adhere strictly to these obligations to ensure continued access to the EU market. The regulation also mandates that, in the case of product recalls, consumers should be directly informed and offered remedies such as repair, replacement, or an adequate refund. Furthermore, specific rules for distance sales require that online offerings provide details of the manufacturer or their representative, a clear description of the product, and any warning or safety information, similar to what is provided in physical shops.
More information:
