Following on from my GPSR and Help for Small UK Product Businesses blog post on the 27 December 2024, I have some updates for you!
The original GPSR post covered what the new General Product Safety Regulations were and how they came into effect on the 13 December 2024.
I know a lot of businesses who have stopped selling to the EU while they work this out. Which is not easy as GPSR includes Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom.
This post gives updates on your GPSR questions and how you can start selling to Europe again.
As before, I have researched this to help my retail mentoring clients and you. But I am not a legal expert. I want to share more information, but this is not legal advice. Please do your own due diligence with the links provided and consult a legal advisor if you are still unsure.
What is GPSR?
Please read my previous blog post in full for more details, but in a nutshell: GPSR applies if you are selling products in the EU and Northern Ireland (as this has the same regulations as the EU.)
It is there to ensure all products sold are safe and to prevent harm to consumers. Regardless of your business size, you need to comply.
It replaces the current: General Product Safety Directive
Are there any useful links?
Yes, I have found all of these links to help you understand what GPSR is and how it applies to different platforms:
Does GPSR apply to digital products?
Yes! GPSR covers both free and paid for digital products such as courses, workbooks, downloads etc.
GPSR states it covers products that could cause ‘risks to both physical health and mental health’.
How do I find an EU Responsible Person?
This is the biggest barrier I have seen to people stopping selling to the EU.
You just need one EU Responsible Person to cover the whole of Europe, and not a person in each country.
It needs to be someone based in the EU. They do not need to be an official person, so you can appoint someone you know. But they need to be a Responsible Person! Meaning they will need a written agreement, store technical files for 10 years, have their contact details on your product listings & shipments and deal with market surveillance authorities. Due to covering these legal aspects, it would be easier to appoint an official EU Responsible Person to protect yourself.
Depending on how many products you have and what product categories they fall into. You will need to speak to the company that houses your EU Responsible Person about your product listings and how many Responsible People you need. If you sell a wide range of products in various different product categories, you may need more than one. If all of your products could be grouped together under one larger product category such a beauty or stationery, you may only need one. Again, they can advise on what is best for your business.
Do a Google search for “EU Responsible Person GPSR Seller Compliance” to appoint your EU Responsible Person. Or ask in small business Facebook groups for advice on who else others have used.
What happens if I do not comply with GPSR?
Checks for GPSR will occur so it is best to be covered. This way you will not receive a fine, have your order sent back or have products destroyed.
This also may apply to products that were made or listed before 13 December 2024.
I hope this helps navigate the confusion around GPSR and empowers you to start selling to the EU again.
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This was such a refreshing read—thanks for sharing your thoughts.