What is GPSR?

GPSR stands for General Product Safety Regulation. Regulation (EU) 2023/988 is an EU legal act that governs the safety of consumer products placed on the European market. It entered into force on 13 December 2024, replacing the General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC (GPSD). As a regulation rather than a directive, it applies directly in all EU member states without requiring national transposition, ensuring uniform application across the EU.

Regulation (EU) 2023/988 became binding on 13 December 2024 across all EU member states. It was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 23 May 2023. A transition period through the end of 2024 was granted to allow economic operators to adapt their compliance processes. Because it is a regulation — not a directive — it required no national implementation measures.

GPSR obligations apply to all economic operators as defined in Article 4: manufacturers, importers, distributors, and other 'providers'. Manufacturers established outside the EU must appoint an EU-based Responsible Person (RP) before placing products on the EU market. Online marketplace sellers — on platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy — are also subject to obligations under Article 7 of the Regulation.

GPSR applies to all consumer products placed on the EU market that are not fully covered by other sector-specific EU legislation (e.g., Toy Safety Directive, Machinery Regulation, Medical Device Regulation). Where other EU legislation covers only certain safety aspects, GPSR applies to the remaining aspects. Food, feed, and products with their own comprehensive safety regimes — such as medicinal products — are excluded from GPSR scope.

Non-compliance can result in product bans, mandatory recalls, and notifications to the EU-wide Safety Gate (formerly RAPEX) system, administrative fines imposed by market surveillance authorities and potential criminal liability, as well as reputational damage and insurance difficulties. Border checks conducted by agencies such as German Customs (ZOLL) can detain or remove from market products that lack an EU Responsible Person.

Yes. Under Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2023/988, all manufacturers established outside the EU who supply products to the EU market are required to appoint an EU-based Responsible Person (RP). The RP must maintain the technical documentation, coordinate recalls and safety alerts, liaise with market surveillance authorities, and ensure the product meets GPSR requirements. RP contact details must be clearly indicated on the product or its packaging.

CE marking indicates that a product meets specific EU harmonisation directives (e.g., Low Voltage Directive, Toy Safety Directive). GPSR is a broader safety framework that applies to all consumer products — including those not subject to CE marking requirements. A CE-marked product can still be subject to GPSR obligations, particularly regarding the Responsible Person appointment and incident reporting requirements under Article 9.

Yes. Article 22 of GPSR defines online marketplaces as a distinct category of economic operator with specific safety obligations. Individual sellers operating through marketplaces may be classified as manufacturers, importers, or distributors depending on their role in the supply chain. Sellers from Turkey, China, or other non-EU countries shipping products to EU customers must have an EU-based Responsible Person — otherwise platforms have the right to remove those listings.