Exploring the EU's General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) 2024

In the upcoming December 13, 2024, the European Union (EU) will replace the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). The reason for this change is that the EU wants to evolve its product safety protocols to align with the rapid digitalization of the global economy. As a rule of thumb, you should regularly check on EU regulation changes, especially if you're selling products in this region.

The GPSR will heavily impact all non-food products and sales procedures. Furthermore, this regulation offers an extensive protective net against risks or products not covered by another EU regulation. The ultimate goal of the GPSR is to protect EU consumers against faulty and harmful products. Now, let's look at the GPSR in more detail.

What is The EU Trying to Achieve with The GPSR?

The EU has set out several goals for the GPSR that will have far-reaching consequences, as follows:

• Safety:All products associated with new and emerging technologies must comply with the highest safety standards set by the EU. Manufacturers, physical stores, and online retailers must uphold these standards regardless of the channels they use to sell these products to EU consumers.

• Online sales:Better response to challenges caused by the rapid growth of online transactions, especially those done on online marketplaces.

• Enforcement:The EU will take a hard line against bad actors that skirt the rules. To increase compliance, the EU will implement more thorough surveillance methods.

• Product recalls:Increase the effectiveness of recalls when harmful products reach EU consumers. If sellers closely follow the streamlining of the recall process, it will help increase trust and safety.

What are The Key Differences Between The GPSR and GPSD?

The GPSR offers several significant differences from the GPSD, as follows:

• Regulation:The GPSR is a regulation and not a directive, which is the case with the GPSD. A regulation is far more powerful since all EU member states must fully comply, which seldom happens with a directive. If the EU members have differing provisions, then the EU can't act as a single market, and that's counterproductive.

• Extensive safety net:The EU already implemented several safety legislations before the advent of the GPSR. However, the GPSR will cover products not already covered by previous legislation.

• Broad health considerations:The GPSR mentions the definition of health set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Thus, products sold in the EU must not harm the mental, physical, and social well-being of consumers.

• Risk assessment:The GPSR focuses much more on assessing risk than the GPSD. Manufacturers must conduct a risk analysis of their products and prepare the necessary technical documentation before releasing them in the EU market.

• Product safety information:The GPSR forbids QR codes as the only method to provide EU consumers with safety information. It's now necessary to include instructions in the language understood by consumers of the member state where the product is sold unless the product can be used safely without safety information.

• Online platforms:All online platforms must track the products and traders that make use of their platforms. Those entities that don't comply with GPSR product and safety regulations must be suspended from these platforms.

• EU representative:Direct sellers and economic operators outside the EU must establish a representative within the block. The GPSR imposes this requirement to ensure the compliance and surveillance of the operator.

What Products Does The GPSR Cover?

As mentioned earlier, the GPSR covers all non-food products. That means the Kitchen Utensils& Gadgets, Dinnerware, and Drinkware that GOGOSORCING stocks must comply with the GPSR. Furthermore, the GPSR also covers any software embedded in electronic devices and self-contained applications. Be mindful that the regulation doesn't only cover new products but also those that are used, repaired, and reconditioned.  

Are There Penalties for Failing to Comply with the GPSR?

Yes. The EU Commission and the EU member states expect online marketplaces and economic operators to comply with the GPSR. Failing to do so will result in stiff penalties set by the member states. The EU Commission will evaluate the implementation of these penalties and assess their effectiveness. Furthermore, the EU Commission may propose legislative changes or additions to enhance enforcement.

The Bottom Line

The EU is evolving and tightening its legislative framework via the GPSR to protect consumers against suspect vendors and harmful products. GOGOSOURCING has always complied with legislation implemented in the EU and other territories. We suggest you do the same if you're selling products in the EU. Contact us  if you need assistance with this matter or want to know more about our product offerings — let's work together and THRIVE!