The Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of the European Parliament and the Council, adopted on May 10, 2023, known as the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), officially replaced the previous General Product Safety Directive.
Effective December 13, 2024, it marks a new era in consumer protection and product safety across the European Union.
1. Scope and Application
Table of Contents
The GPSR applies to all consumer products, including those intended for professional use but later made available to consumers.
It complements other EU sector-specific safety laws and introduces broader coverage — including online products, refurbished items, and second-hand goods.
Exemptions Include:
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Medicinal products for human or veterinary use
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Food and animal feed
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Live plants and animals, GMOs, and microorganisms
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Products of animal origin and plant protection products
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Transport equipment operated by service providers
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Low-risk aircraft and antiques
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Products clearly marked for repair or refurbishment before use
2. Enhanced Risk Assessment
Economic operators (EOs) must conduct stricter product risk assessments throughout the product’s entire life cycle, identifying potential hazards before products reach consumers.
3. Strengthened Accountability for Economic Operators
A responsible economic operator within the EU (manufacturer, importer, authorized representative, or fulfillment service provider) must ensure each product under the GPSR complies with safety requirements.
4. Improved Market Surveillance
National authorities now have stronger powers to inspect, investigate, and remove unsafe products from the market.
The EU’s rapid alert system (RAPEX) has been rebranded as Safety Gate, focusing on faster and more transparent information exchange about non-food dangerous products.
5. Main Obligations of Stakeholders
5.1 Manufacturers
Manufacturers must:
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Design and produce safe products
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Conduct internal risk analyses and maintain technical documentation
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Notify consumers and national authorities immediately (via the Business Safety Portal) if a product is found dangerous
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Share accident data and maintain traceability and contact details on the product or packaging
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Establish complaint handling systems and maintain internal complaint registers
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May appoint an authorized representative to fulfill compliance duties
5.2 Importers
Importers are responsible for:
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Ensuring imported goods comply with GPSR safety standards
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Refusing to place non-compliant products on the EU market
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Providing clear contact information and verifying that products include proper instructions and safety details
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Reporting unsafe products through the Business Safety Portal and informing the public of risks
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Ensuring safe storage and transport conditions
5.3 Distributors
Distributors must:
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Verify that manufacturers and importers meet regulatory requirements
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Refrain from offering unsafe or non-compliant products
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Report unsafe products to relevant authorities and take corrective action via the Business Safety Portal
5.4 Common Obligations for All Economic Operators
All operators must:
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Implement internal product safety management procedures
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Cooperate with authorities to remove or reduce risks
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Retain product risk and traceability data (10 years for product info, 6 years for supply chain info)
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Notify authorities of accidents caused by their products
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Provide data to the traceability database maintained by the European Commission
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Directly inform consumers affected by recalls using standardized templates
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Offer at least two remedies for recalled products: repair, replacement, or refund
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Follow distance-selling rules by disclosing product and manufacturer information before purchase
5.5 Specific Obligations for Online Marketplaces
In alignment with the Digital Services Act (DSA), online sellers and platforms must:
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Establish two dedicated contact points (for market authorities and the public)
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Register with the Safety Gate portal
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Maintain product safety control systems
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Ensure listings cannot be published without mandatory safety and traceability details
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Conduct random safety checks and promptly remove unsafe listings
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Provide direct notifications to affected buyers and publish recall details on their websites
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Cooperate fully with market surveillance authorities during recalls or incident investigations
6. Key Takeaways
The EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) creates a more transparent, digital-ready, and consumer-focused framework for product safety.
Businesses placing goods on the EU market must now ensure traceability, proactive risk management, and quick recall procedures — strengthening consumer confidence and market integrity across the European Union.