From 13 December 2024, all general products in the European Union must comply with the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). There are no transitional periods to align from the Directive to Regulation. However, products compliant with the GPSD placed on the market before 13 December 2024 can stay on the market.
GPSR to introduce new provisions for non-food consumer products
Like the Directive, the GPSR covers non-food consumer products for which no specific sector legislation exists. With the new legislation, general products are subject to additional requirements compared to the previous Directive. Some of the main novelties include:
- Stronger market surveillance – Identification of products and economic operators within the supply chain is enhanced through product details to display on labels and sales offer, among others.
- Explicit provisions for online sales – Economic operators that sell products online are subject to specific obligations (Article 19 of the GPSR), such as traceability information to include in the sales offer.
- Responsible Person – All products must have a Responsible Person established in the Union market.
- Quality management system (QMS) – Manufacturers placing general products on the EU market must have documented processes for quality purposes, including a complaint registers.
Responsible Person role
For general products, the Responsible Person is a new regulatory figure. From 13 December 2024, all products sold in the EU must have an EU-based Responsible Person, whether sold online or through traditional channels.
Obelis, as your authorised representative, acts as your Responsible Person under the GPSR. The Responsible Person will:
- Verify that the product has a compliant technical documentation, which is kept at disposal of market surveillance authorities.
- Verify that the product complies with the labelling requirements.
- Provide authority with all information and documentation necessary to demonstrate product’s conformity.
- Inform the market surveillance authorities when believing that a product in question presents a risk.
- Cooperating with the market surveillance authorities, in case of products presenting risks, non-compliance or dangerous products.
Responsible Person’s details have to be displayed on the product or on its packaging, the parcel or an accompanying document. In case of distance sales, the offer must indicate Responsible Person’s details as well.
For any questions on our general products’ services.
References:
EUR-Lex (2023). Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on general product safety. Retrieved on 23.09.2024.
Simona Varrella
Regulatory Intelligence & Innovation
23.09.2024
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