How Cybersecurity for GPSR Compliance is Transforming Product Safety in Connected Devices
GPSR
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Founder of Euverify | EU & UKCA Compliance Expert
Ajay is an eCommerce expert with 17+ years of experience as an Amazon, eBay, and Etsy seller and a Shopify specialist. He excels in EU and UK compliance, including GPSR and UKCA, helping businesses expand into European and UK markets. Ajay is the founder of Sweans, a London-based eCommerce agency, and Euverify.com, a SaaS platform streamlining compliance for non-EU sellers.
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- April 2, 2025Compliance News & UpdatesHow to Make Your Etsy Listings GPSR Compliant and Add Your EU Economic Operator
- March 10, 2025Compliance News & UpdatesGPSR Compliance: What Happens to Products Manufactured Before 13 December 2024?
GPSR
Cybersecurity for GPSR compliance ensures that products we use every day are not only safe, but are also protected from cyber threats. More and more of our everyday devices are becoming connected, and the line between digital security and physical safety seems to disappear. The good thing is that the GPSR takes this into account, helping businesses in the EU ensure their products meet safety standards in both the digital and physical worlds.
In this blog we’ll take a closer look at how cybersecurity influences product safety, and what it takes to meet GPSR standards.
Why Cybersecurity Is Now a Product Safety Issue
Cybersecurity is now a product safety issue because of the rise in connectivity of devices that can potentially cause physical harm from cyberattacks. For example, a smart thermostat in your home can be hacked, causing the heating system to overheat and become a fire hazard. A connected medical device, like an insulin pump, can also be remotely accessed and altered. Such situations are real. This is why cybersecurity for GPSR compliance is crucial, ensuring that connected devices meet safety standards and mitigate these risks. Along with protecting data, cybersecurity has become a significant part of product safety.
Understanding GPSR and Why It Matters
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), which came into effect to replace the older General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), ensures that products sold in the EU are safe for consumers. Cybersecurity for GPSR compliance plays a critical role in addressing modern risks, especially those stemming from connected devices and software vulnerabilities. With smart refrigerators, wearable fitness trackers, and even internet-connected toys, the risk now isn’t just a faulty part of the product. Instead, it’s about a third party, like a hacker, exploiting a weak point in the software.
Fortunately, the GPSR acknowledges such technical risks and pushes businesses to consider cybersecurity as a core part of their safety strategy.
Regulatory Implications Under the GPSR
Cybersecurity for GPSR compliance for product safety shows its commitment to protecting consumers in today’s connected world. The regulation requires products to stay safe throughout their entire lifecycle, which means businesses need to assess and address risks from emerging technologies. This is especially important when no specific industry laws apply. For example, changes like software updates or design adjustments must be carefully reviewed to make sure they don’t create new safety issues.
GPSR Guidance on Cybersecurity and Product Safety
The GPSR explicitly emphasises the importance of cybersecurity in ensuring product safety. A key provision under REGULATION (EU) 2023/988 states:
“Specific cybersecurity risks affecting the safety of consumers, as well as protocols and certifications, can be dealt with by sectoral legislation. However, it should be ensured that, in cases where such sectoral legislation does not apply, the relevant economic operators and national authorities take into consideration risks linked to new technologies, when designing the products and assessing them respectively, in order to ensure that changes introduced in the product do not jeopardize its safety.”
This cybersecurity for GPSR compliance rule makes it clear that businesses need to take the lead in spotting and tackling risks that come with new technologies, especially for products that don’t fall under specific industry laws. It’s up to manufacturers, distributors, and regulators to make sure that as cybersecurity threats change, new or updated products stay safe.
Additionally, Article 6 of the regulation, titled ‘Aspects for assessing the safety of products,’ further reinforces this point:
“When required by the nature of the product, the appropriate cybersecurity features necessary to protect the product against external influences, including malicious third parties, where such an influence might have an impact on the safety of the product, including the possible loss of interconnection.”
This highlights just how crucial strong cybersecurity measures are for keeping products safe from outside interference. It’s a clear message to businesses: build secure systems and stay ahead of cyber threats to protect your customers.
Steps Businesses Can Take to Align with GPSR
Meeting GPSR standards helps adopt a forward-thinking approach to product safety. Here are some steps businesses can take to ensure cybersecurity for GPSR compliance :
- Start with Secure Design: Build cybersecurity into your product from the ground up. Use encryption, secure default settings, and ensure that user data is protected.
- Conduct Risk Assessments: Regularly review your product for potential vulnerabilities, especially for connected devices.
- Plan for the Long Haul: Ensure software updates keep your product secure without introducing new risks.
- Keep Detailed Records: Document every step you take to ensure compliance with GPSR, from risk assessments to testing.
- Educate Users: Provide clear, simple guidance on how consumers can use your product safely, like creating strong passwords or avoiding unsecure networks.
Along with meeting GPSR compliance, businesses should look into getting certifications like the CE mark. This certification shows that a product meets EU safety, health, and environmental standards. Having it not only demonstrates a commitment to safety and cybersecurity but also ensures that products comply with EU regulations.
Challenges of Cybersecurity for GPSR Compliance
Of course, aligning cybersecurity with GPSR compliance isn’t without its hurdles. For one, cybersecurity measures can add to production costs, especially for smaller businesses. Moreover, keeping up with rapidly evolving threats can be tough, as new vulnerabilities emerge long after a product hits the market. Additionally, navigating the regulatory landscape in the EU can feel overwhelming, especially with overlapping rules for different product categories.
Despite these challenges, investing in cybersecurity for GPSR compliance is worth it. Not just to avoid fines but to protect your customers and your reputation.
Why It Pays to Take Cybersecurity Seriously
Cybersecurity must be made a priority by all businesses. With a strong cybersecurity for GPSR compliance , you not only meet the regulation’s standards but create safer products that consumers can trust.
Here’s what businesses stand to gain:
• Stronger Consumer Trust: Customers are more likely to buy products they feel are safe and secure.
• Reduced Risk of Fines and Recalls: GPSR compliance minimizes the chances of costly regulatory action.
• Market Advantage: Products with built-in cybersecurity protections and certifications like the CE mark stand out in a crowded market.
Conclusion
In the EU, the GPSR has redefined what it means to create a safe product. With the rise of connected devices, cybersecurity is now at the heart of product safety. Businesses that embrace this shift, invest in secure design and align with GPSR standards won’t just stay compliant—they’ll thrive in a world where consumer safety and trust are everything.
To take it a step further, review your products’ cybersecurity measures and ensure they meet essential certifications like the CE mark. Apart from protecting people from harm, safety is also about protecting their trust in your brand. With the support of Euverify, you can navigate the challenges of cybersecurity for GPSR compliance effectively, paving the way for a safer and more secure future.
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GPSR
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Products Before 13/12/24
-
Founder of Euverify | EU & UKCA Compliance Expert
Ajay is an eCommerce expert with 17+ years of experience as an Amazon, eBay, and Etsy seller and a Shopify specialist. He excels in EU and UK compliance, including GPSR and UKCA, helping businesses expand into European and UK markets. Ajay is the founder of Sweans, a London-based eCommerce agency, and Euverify.com, a SaaS platform streamlining compliance for non-EU sellers.
- April 11, 2025Industry InsightsTop Reasons for Consumer Electronics Bans in the EU & UK (And How to Avoid Them)
- April 2, 2025Compliance News & UpdatesHow to Make Your Printful Dropshipping Products GPSR Compliant (and Use Euverify to Stay Ahead)
- April 2, 2025Compliance News & UpdatesHow to Make Your Etsy Listings GPSR Compliant and Add Your EU Economic Operator
- March 10, 2025Compliance News & UpdatesGPSR Compliance: What Happens to Products Manufactured Before 13 December 2024?
Cybersecurity for GPSR compliance ensures that products we use every day are not only safe, but are also protected from cyber threats. More and more of our everyday devices are becoming connected, and the line between digital security and physical safety seems to disappear. The good thing is that the GPSR takes this into account, helping businesses in the EU ensure their products meet safety standards in both the digital and physical worlds.
In this blog we’ll take a closer look at how cybersecurity influences product safety, and what it takes to meet GPSR standards.
Why Cybersecurity Is Now a Product Safety Issue
Cybersecurity is now a product safety issue because of the rise in connectivity of devices that can potentially cause physical harm from cyberattacks. For example, a smart thermostat in your home can be hacked, causing the heating system to overheat and become a fire hazard. A connected medical device, like an insulin pump, can also be remotely accessed and altered. Such situations are real. This is why cybersecurity for GPSR compliance is crucial, ensuring that connected devices meet safety standards and mitigate these risks. Along with protecting data, cybersecurity has become a significant part of product safety.
Understanding GPSR and Why It Matters
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), which came into effect to replace the older General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), ensures that products sold in the EU are safe for consumers. Cybersecurity for GPSR compliance plays a critical role in addressing modern risks, especially those stemming from connected devices and software vulnerabilities. With smart refrigerators, wearable fitness trackers, and even internet-connected toys, the risk now isn’t just a faulty part of the product. Instead, it’s about a third party, like a hacker, exploiting a weak point in the software.
Fortunately, the GPSR acknowledges such technical risks and pushes businesses to consider cybersecurity as a core part of their safety strategy.
Regulatory Implications Under the GPSR
Cybersecurity for GPSR compliance for product safety shows its commitment to protecting consumers in today’s connected world. The regulation requires products to stay safe throughout their entire lifecycle, which means businesses need to assess and address risks from emerging technologies. This is especially important when no specific industry laws apply. For example, changes like software updates or design adjustments must be carefully reviewed to make sure they don’t create new safety issues.
GPSR Guidance on Cybersecurity and Product Safety
The GPSR explicitly emphasises the importance of cybersecurity in ensuring product safety. A key provision under REGULATION (EU) 2023/988 states:
“Specific cybersecurity risks affecting the safety of consumers, as well as protocols and certifications, can be dealt with by sectoral legislation. However, it should be ensured that, in cases where such sectoral legislation does not apply, the relevant economic operators and national authorities take into consideration risks linked to new technologies, when designing the products and assessing them respectively, in order to ensure that changes introduced in the product do not jeopardize its safety.”
This cybersecurity for GPSR compliance rule makes it clear that businesses need to take the lead in spotting and tackling risks that come with new technologies, especially for products that don’t fall under specific industry laws. It’s up to manufacturers, distributors, and regulators to make sure that as cybersecurity threats change, new or updated products stay safe.
Additionally, Article 6 of the regulation, titled ‘Aspects for assessing the safety of products,’ further reinforces this point:
“When required by the nature of the product, the appropriate cybersecurity features necessary to protect the product against external influences, including malicious third parties, where such an influence might have an impact on the safety of the product, including the possible loss of interconnection.”
This highlights just how crucial strong cybersecurity measures are for keeping products safe from outside interference. It’s a clear message to businesses: build secure systems and stay ahead of cyber threats to protect your customers.
Steps Businesses Can Take to Align with GPSR
Meeting GPSR standards helps adopt a forward-thinking approach to product safety. Here are some steps businesses can take to ensure cybersecurity for GPSR compliance :
- Start with Secure Design: Build cybersecurity into your product from the ground up. Use encryption, secure default settings, and ensure that user data is protected.
- Conduct Risk Assessments: Regularly review your product for potential vulnerabilities, especially for connected devices.
- Plan for the Long Haul: Ensure software updates keep your product secure without introducing new risks.
- Keep Detailed Records: Document every step you take to ensure compliance with GPSR, from risk assessments to testing.
- Educate Users: Provide clear, simple guidance on how consumers can use your product safely, like creating strong passwords or avoiding unsecure networks.
Along with meeting GPSR compliance, businesses should look into getting certifications like the CE mark. This certification shows that a product meets EU safety, health, and environmental standards. Having it not only demonstrates a commitment to safety and cybersecurity but also ensures that products comply with EU regulations.
Challenges of Cybersecurity for GPSR Compliance
Of course, aligning cybersecurity with GPSR compliance isn’t without its hurdles. For one, cybersecurity measures can add to production costs, especially for smaller businesses. Moreover, keeping up with rapidly evolving threats can be tough, as new vulnerabilities emerge long after a product hits the market. Additionally, navigating the regulatory landscape in the EU can feel overwhelming, especially with overlapping rules for different product categories.
Despite these challenges, investing in cybersecurity for GPSR compliance is worth it. Not just to avoid fines but to protect your customers and your reputation.
Why It Pays to Take Cybersecurity Seriously
Cybersecurity must be made a priority by all businesses. With a strong cybersecurity for GPSR compliance , you not only meet the regulation’s standards but create safer products that consumers can trust.
Here’s what businesses stand to gain:
- Stronger Consumer Trust: Customers are more likely to buy products they feel are safe and secure.
- Reduced Risk of Fines and Recalls: GPSR compliance minimizes the chances of costly regulatory action.
- Market Advantage: Products with built-in cybersecurity protections and certifications like the CE mark stand out in a crowded market.
Conclusion
In the EU, the GPSR has redefined what it means to create a safe product. With the rise of connected devices, cybersecurity is now at the heart of product safety. Businesses that embrace this shift, invest in secure design and align with GPSR standards won’t just stay compliant—they’ll thrive in a world where consumer safety and trust are everything.
To take it a step further, review your products’ cybersecurity measures and ensure they meet essential certifications like the CE mark. Apart from protecting people from harm, safety is also about protecting their trust in your brand. With the support of Euverify, you can navigate the challenges of cybersecurity for GPSR compliance effectively, paving the way for a safer and more secure future.
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