What is the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)?
GPSR Defined: The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) takes effect on December 13, 2024, and aims to ensure that all physical products sold to recipients of the EU and Northern Ireland are safe.
Who and What the GPSR Applies To: Whether you're an individual or a business, the GPSR regulations apply to all non-food consumer products going to any country in the EU or Northern Ireland (minus the exceptions, which we've listed below). It applies to both new and used products, as well as products that are repaired, refurbished, or recycled.
Who GPSR Does Not Apply To: The GPSR does not apply to U.S.-based sellers shipping only within the United States. It also does not apply to shipments going to the United Kingdom, since the UK is not part of the EU.
Which kinds of products does the GPSR apply to?
All Physical Products Must Comply: According to Article 2 of the GPSR, the new guidelines apply to all physical products, minus the following exceptions:
Medicinal products for human or veterinary use
Food
Feed
Living plants and animals (including genetically modified organisms and genetically modified microorganisms in contained use, and products of plants and animals relating directly to their future reproduction)
Animal by-products and derived products
Plant protection products, like pesticides
Equipment on which consumers ride or travel when that equipment is directly operated by a service provider within the context of a transport service provided to consumers and not operated by the consumers themselves
Certain types of aircraft
Antiques
What do I need to provide to comply with the GPSR?
Required Safety Information: To comply with the GPSR, you need to provide all safety documentation related to your product. This documentation can include any applicable safety instructions for proper use, as well as warnings for safe use and disposal (i.e. if the product contains a sharp object).
You can include an image (i.e. a label, pictogram, or symbol), a statement (safety warnings or chemical hazard warnings), a product manual, or any other safety-related document that contains this information.
All Instructions Must Be Translated into the Local Language: All included safety information must be translated into the local language.
For instance, if you're shipping to Germany, the safety instructions you include must be written in German.
Additional Required Info to Comply: In addition to providing safety documentation in the local language, you also need to include the following information:
The product manufacturer's name and contact information
If the manufacturer isn’t located in the EU or Northern Ireland, you’ll have to indicate an EU-based Responsible Person or entity, along with their name and contact details
Any relevant product information like model number, pictures, and type
The CE marking, when required
What does a Responsible Person do and who can it be?
Responsible Person for GPSR Compliance: A Responsible Person is the point of contact for all product safety and compliance issues. Their duties include:
Ensuring that products meet all applicable safety standards
Communicating with customers in the EU and/or Northern Ireland
Communicating with regulatory bodies on behalf of the business
Collaborating with authorities in the event of product recalls or safety issues
A Responsible Person must be located in the EU or Northern Ireland. They can be either the manufacturer, the importer, the authorized representative, and/or the fulfillment service provider.
Where can I find safety information related to my product?
Gathering Safety Information: Safety information should already be found on your product, its packaging, or any other accompanying documents. If this information isn't available, you can contact the product manufacturer.
If you are the product manufacturer, you will need to create the required safety information to include in your package(s) going to the EU or Northern Ireland.
Where do I include all this info?
Include Safety Info In Your Box or On the Outside: All safety information required by the GPSR guidelines must be included within your box. They can also be included in an envelope affixed to the outside of your box, the same way customs forms and commercial invoices can be.
What if my product doesn't comply with the GPSR guidelines?
Products that Don't Comply with GPSR: If the product you're sending is subject to GPSR but fails to meet the GPSR requirements, EU or Northern Ireland authorities may deem it a “dangerous product." This can prompt them to impose fines, ban the product, or remove it from the market.
We recommend including safety information for any shipment going to the EU or Northern Ireland, regardless of its type
Better to Be Safe Than Sorry: If you're shipping to the EU or Northern Ireland and are not sure if your product requires GPSR compliance, we still recommend including all the safety information we outlined above!
Who should I talk to for more information about GPSR?
Seek Legal Counsel for Detailed Advice: Pirate Ship can't provide legal advice, and this article only contains general information that we gathered from the European Commission's website and other sources. For detailed advice on how GPSR may apply to you and your products, we recommend talking to your legal counsel.
A designated Responsible Person can also report potentially dangerous products to EU authorities through the European Commission Safety Business Gateway portal, if applicable.