06 January 2025

EU's General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR): A New Era of Consumer Protection

Applicable from the 13 December 2024, Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on general product safety, also called the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), replaces the General Product Safety Directive, and ushers in a new era of consumer protection.

The GPSR applies to consumer products, but those designed exclusively for professional use which subsequently reach the consumer market, should also comply with it.

It is complementary to other EU specific safety legislation covering any additional aspects and risks not addressed by the requirements of that specific legislation.

The Regulation introduces several important changes affecting both economic operators (EOs) and authorities, with the aim of improving product safety standards across the EU.

Key changes introduced by the GPSR

  • Broader product coverage: The regulation now encompasses a wider range of products, including those sold online, new, used, repaired or reconditioned. It also introduces a list of exemptions:
    • medicinal products for human or veterinary use,
    •  food and feed,
    • living plants and animals, genetically modified organisms and microorganisms in contained use,
    • animal-derived and by-products,
    • plant protection products,
    • transport equipment operated by a service provider,
    • low-risk aircraft,
    • antiques,
    • products clearly marked to be repaired or reconditioned prior to use.
  • Strengthened risk assessment: EOs must conduct more rigorous risk assessments throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Increased accountability for EOs: A responsible economic operator in the EU (an EU manufacturer, importer, authorised representative or a fulfilment service provider) shall be entrusted with tasks relating to the safety of each product covered by the regulation.
  • Enhanced market surveillance: National authorities have more powers to conduct more effective inspections of products and take action against unsafe ones. RAPEX, the rapid alert system for dangerous products, is now renamed "Safety Gate" and focuses on a better exchange of information on measures taken against non-food dangerous products.
  • Consumer empowerment: The regulation provides consumers with more information and tools to report unsafe products.
  • Cybersecurity measures and AI-related features have been incorporated to safeguard products from external threats and enable product evolution, learning, and predictive capabilities.

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), unlike the Directive it repeals, is directly applicable in the Member States.

Further information can be found in:

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