As of 13 December 2024, the EU’s updated General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) becomes mandatory. This regulation modernises and replaces the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) and requires all businesses to meet new responsibilities, impacting how products are manufactured and sold to consumers.
The GPSR will apply to all new non-food products placed on the market from 13 December, 2024. It introduces stricter product safety standards, detailed traceability mandates, and new transparency requirements for all consumer goods, including those sold online or imported from outside the EU, taking into account the rapid growth of digital products. This significantly impacts all UK businesses exporting to the EU and Northern Ireland under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
It requires adherence to high safety standards across the product’s lifecycle, maintaining comprehensive records of a product’s origin and setting strict obligations for online market places to prevent the sale of unsafe items. It also mandates the visible listing of critical information, such as the manufacturer’s name and contact details, safety instructions, and product model numbers.
Sellers to the EU and Northern Ireland will be required to, amongst other areas:
- Delegate a Responsible Economic Operator based in the European Union or Northern Ireland to be responsible for compliance and adhere to the expanded scope of the compliance protocol contained within Article 16.
- Update labelling and packaging materials The name, registered trade name or registered trademark, and contact details (including the postal address) of the responsible economic operator must be indicated on the product or on its packaging, the parcel or an accompanying document.
- A single liaison office must be established to represent a coordinated position for MSAs and other relevant authorities. For the single liaison office for GB and NI, contact: OPSS-SLO@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
Online marketplaces
Online marketplaces need to:
- Designate a single point of contact for direct communication with relevant MSAs in relation to product safety issues
- Register and engage with the Safety Gate Portal. This includes taking corrective action when notified via the Safety Gate Portal of instances of non-compliant products being sold or made available through its online interface
- Designate a single point of contact to enable consumers to communicate directly and rapidly with them in relation to product safety issues
GPSR obligations will change how businesses:
- Label their products
- Design and test for safety and compliance with technical standards
- Structure and monitor supply chains and online marketplaces
- Deal with unsafe or non-compliant products and safety incidents.
What should UK businesses be doing now?
- Ensure that an EU or NI responsible economic operator is appointed
- Review supply chain compliance, labelling, and documentation practices.
- Conduct risk assessments to identify and address potential compliance gaps.
- Update cybersecurity protocols for products with digital elements.
- Speak to a professional customs clearance services provider if you need assistance at any time.
Acting now is essential and failure to comply may lead to fines, restricted market access, or reputational harm. Alinea Customs offers professional customs clearance and consultancy services, legal advisory on supply chain agreements, and customs training to support businesses in navigating international trade, customs and regulations.icted market access, or reputational harm.
Alinea Customs offers professional customs clearance and consultancy services, legal advisory on supply chain agreements, and customs training to support businesses in navigating international trade, customs and regulations.
Further information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-regulation-2023988-on-general-product-safety/eu-regulation-on-general-product-safety-2023988
For more information about Alinea Customs and its services, visit www.alineacustoms.com.
Contact: Holly Piggott
Role: Director
Email: holly@alineacustoms.com about Alinea Customs and its services, visit www.alineacustoms.com.
