When sold online in the EU, products must comply with all applicable regulations as offline products. The GPSR is the Regulation applicable to products which do not have a sectorial legislation covering safety requirements.
Within the framework of the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), economic operators are subject to additional provisions in the case of distance sales.
Online offer of consumer products to display at least the following
When selling products through means of distance sales (e.g. online marketplaces or websites), the offer has to display at least the following information:
- Name, registered trade name or registered trade mark as well as postal and electronic address of the manufacturer.
- Name, postal and electronic address of the Responsible Person established in the Union market (for non-EU companies).
- Information allowing the identification of the product (picture, type, and similar).
- Any warning or safety information.
“Manufacturer” means “any natural or legal person who manufactures a product or has a product designed or manufactured, and markets that product under that person’s name or trademark” (Article 3.8.) “Electronic address” is a form of direct communication, such as an email address or a contact form on a website. A static website or a phone number are not sufficient to fulfil this requirement.
Responsible Person for GPSR products sold online
All products sold in the Union market shall have a Responsible Person established in the Union market. The manufacturers may choose to appoint an Authorised Representative to act as Responsible Person, which is particularly interesting in the case of distance sales where there is no importer.
Importantly, the GPSR sets provisions also for online marketplaces providers, such as Amazon, Facebook marketplace, and similar.
Tools for GPSR compliance
GPSR: Technical Documentation Guidance
GPSR – Declaration of Compliance: Template
General Product Safety Get ready for December 2024 deadline: webinar
GPSR focus: risk analysis and technical documentation template
GPSR focus: Q&A on general products
PRODlaw.eu is a subscription-based project available free of charge powered by Obelis. Obelis can act as your authorised representative and responsible person in the Union market. Contact us here or at prodlaw@obelis.net for any questions.
References:
European Commission (2024). EU General Product Safety Regulation GPSR – Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety. Retrieved on 17/06/2025.
European Commission (2025). Safety Gate: the EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products. Retrieved on 17/06/2025.
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