Consumer Products & the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
EU Market Access for Non-EU Manufacturers
The EU's General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 governs the safety of consumer products on the European market. Non-EU manufacturers must designate an Authorized Representative in the EU. MedNet EC-REP provides this service.
Consumer Products and EU Regulation
Consumer products encompass a vast range of everyday items - from household appliances and electronics to furniture, textiles, toys, and sporting goods. In the European Union, the safety of these products is governed by the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR).
Unlike food products - which have their own sector-specific regulations - general consumer products fall under the GPSR framework. This page explains the regulatory landscape for consumer products and how MedNet EC-REP can support non-EU manufacturers as their Authorized Representative.
The GPSR: Regulatory Framework for Consumer Products
Key aspects of the regulation governing consumer product safety
Replaces the GPSD
The GPSR (EU) 2023/988 replaces the old General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) 2001/95/EC and has been applicable in all EU member states since 13 December 2024.
→Responsible Person Requirement
Article 16 of the GPSR requires non-EU manufacturers to designate a Responsible Person (Authorized Representative) in the EU before products can be offered on the EU market.
→Applies to All Consumer Products
The GPSR applies to all products intended for consumers or likely to be used by consumers under reasonably foreseeable conditions.
→Online Marketplaces Affected
The GPSR imposes new requirements on online marketplaces and fulfilment service providers. Products without an EU Responsible Person may be removed from the market.
→Extended Documentation Requirements
Manufacturers must conduct internal risk analyses and prepare technical documentation that must be made available to authorities upon request.
→GPSR Article 16: Responsible Person Requirements
Legal requirements for the Responsible Person under the GPSR
Designation Requirement
Before a product is offered on the EU market, the non-EU manufacturer must designate a Responsible Person in the EU. Without a Responsible Person, the product may not be sold in the EU.
Written Mandate
The manufacturer must appoint the Responsible Person through a written mandate. The mandate must clearly define the tasks and responsibilities.
Documentation Access
The Responsible Person must have access to technical documentation and be able to provide it to authorities in an official EU language upon request.
Cooperation Obligation
The Responsible Person must cooperate with market surveillance authorities and support corrective measures.
Which Products Fall Under the GPSR?
The GPSR applies to all products intended for consumers or likely to be used by consumers under reasonably foreseeable conditions - even if they are not specifically marketed to consumers.
Examples of products under GPSR:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Furniture and home furnishings
- Toys (where not covered by the Toy Safety Directive)
- Textiles and clothing
- Sports and leisure equipment
- DIY and garden products
- Decorative and gift items
Important:
Products already covered by sector-specific EU harmonisation legislation are exempt from the GPSR. These include food, pharmaceuticals, and construction products.
Who Needs a Responsible Person Under GPSR?
Non-EU manufacturers of consumer products who wish to offer their products on the EU market must designate a Responsible Person in the EU.
This applies in particular to:
- Manufacturers based outside the EU (e.g., USA, China, UK, Switzerland)
- Manufacturers selling to the EU via online marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Temu, etc.)
- Manufacturers delivering to the EU via fulfilment service providers
EU manufacturers do not need a separate Responsible Person - they fulfil this role themselves.
GPSR Authorized Representative Service
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We assume the role of Responsible Person for your consumer products on the EU market.