GPSR: New Requirements for Online Stores

On December 13, 2024, the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) came into effect, replacing the previous General Product Safety Directive and establishing new safety requirements for products sold in the European Union.

This new regulation applies to all businesses that sell products in the European Union through online stores, marketplaces, and other sales channels.


What changes for Online Stores?

The GPSR requires businesses to clearly, directly, and visibly communicate the following product information:

• Details about the manufacturer or responsible entity within the EU, such as name, address, and contact information;
• A unique product identifier, such as batch code, serial number, or brand and model;
• Safety warnings, usage restrictions, CE certificate (if applicable), and clear usage instructions.

This regulation covers all products sold in the EU, including new, used, repaired, or refurbished items, with the exception of the following product categories:

• Medicines for human or veterinary use;
• Foodstuffs and animal feed;
• Live plants and animals, genetically modified organisms, and microorganisms in contained use;
• Animal by-products and derived products;
• Plant protection products;
• Transport equipment operated by a service provider;
• Low-risk aircraft;
• Antiques.
  

When notified about an unsafe product, online stores and marketplaces must remove or suspend the sale of the product as quickly as possible. If the product has already been sold, customers must be informed, and depending on the severity, a product recall may be necessary.

All alerts for unsafe products can be viewed by accessing Safety Gate Alerts.

Records of complaints and/or incidents, safety measures taken, supplier information, and product safety assessments must be retained for a period of no less than 10 years.

PLAKO is ready to adapt its projects to meet the requirements of the new regulation. Contact us for a detailed analysis and a personalized quote.
Requests will be processed in the order they are received.

This information does not replace a full reading of the applicable decree-law and does not exempt consultation with a properly qualified lawyer.