How the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) Impacts Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon Sellers
Amazon, Shopify
-
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?
Amazon, Shopify
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) introduces stricter rules to ensure consumer safety in the EU market. This regulation affects online sellers using platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon by imposing new requirements for product safety, documentation, and traceability. Whether you’re a small business or an established brand, understanding GPSR is crucial to remain compliant. This blog explores how GPSR impacts different types of sellers, the product categories affected, and what actions you should take.
What is the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)?
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is an EU-wide regulation designed to improve product safety for consumers. It applies to products that are not covered by sector-specific legislation (e.g., toys, medical devices). The GPSR introduces stricter rules for online marketplaces, fulfillment service providers, and sellers to ensure compliance and traceability in the supply chain.
Key Highlights of GPSR:
Mandatory Traceability:
Sellers must provide clear information about the manufacturer, importer, and supply chain.
Digital Marketplace Obligations:
Platforms like Amazon must verify product compliance before listing.
Fulfillment Service Providers:
Warehouses and logistics companies may bear responsibilities if they market or package products.
Risk Assessments and Safety Monitoring:
Sellers must perform and document risk assessments for their products.
How General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) Affects Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon Sellers
1. GPSR and Shopify and GPSR WooCommerce Sellers
- Typical Sellers Affected: Independent businesses selling physical products, often sourced from third-party manufacturers or white-label suppliers.
- Challenges:
- Ensuring product safety compliance for items sourced from outside the EU (e.g., China).
- Maintaining technical documentation, including risk assessments and safety reports.
- Listing the correct manufacturer, importer, or Authorized Representative (AR) details.
- Examples of Products Affected:
- Household items: Small appliances, cleaning tools.
- Toys and children’s products: Particularly those not CE marked.
- Beauty products: Tools or accessories like facial massagers or brushes.
- What Sellers Should Do:
- Verify that your products meet applicable EU safety standards.
- Add traceability details (manufacturer/importer/AR) to product labels and packaging.
- Perform risk assessments for potential hazards and maintain documentation.
- Appoint an EU-based AR if you are located outside the EU.
- Verify that your products meet applicable EU safety standards.
2. GPSR and Amazon Sellers
- Typical Sellers Affected: Dropshippers, resellers, and private label brands listing products on Amazon’s EU platforms.
- Amazon’s New Requirements:
- Sellers must provide evidence of compliance (e.g., Declaration of Conformity, risk assessments) before listing products.
- Non-compliant listings may be removed or blocked.
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) sellers may face additional scrutiny for product safety.
- Examples of Products Affected:
- Electronics: Chargers, power banks, headphones.
- Sports and outdoor gear: Camping equipment, fitness tools.
- DIY tools: Drills, saws, and similar items.
- What Sellers Should Do
- Review Amazon’s compliance requirements for GPSR
- Ensure proper labeling, including “Made in [Country]” and importer details.
- Upload the required documentation (e.g., DoC, AR contact details) to Amazon Seller Central.
- Monitor safety incidents and address consumer complaints promptly.
Which Products Are Affected by GPSR?
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) applies to non-sector-specific products sold in the EU. These include:
Electronics and Appliances:
Devices not covered by the Low Voltage Directive.
Household Goods:
Items like furniture, storage containers, and tools.
Toys and Children’s Products:
Especially if they fall outside the scope of the Toy Safety Directive.
Sports Equipment:
Fitness and recreational gear.
Beauty and Wellness Products:
Accessories like rollers, mirrors, and brushes.
Steps Sellers Should Take to Stay Compliant
Verify Product Safety
- Conduct risk assessments for your products and identify any potential hazards.
- Ensure that your products meet all applicable EU standards, even if they are not explicitly required by sector-specific directives.
Update Product Labeling
- Include the following on the product and packaging:
- Manufacturer’s name and address.
- Importer’s name and address (if applicable).
- Country of origin (e.g., “Made in China”).
- Authorized Representative (AR) details if you’re a non-EU seller.
Maintain Documentation:
- Prepare and retain technical documentation, including:
- Risk assessments.
- Declaration of Conformity (if required).
- Safety test reports.
- Ensure these documents are accessible to EU authorities.
Appoint an Authorized Representative
- If you’re located outside the EU, appoint an EU Authorized Representative (AR) to manage compliance obligations and act as a point of contact for authorities.
Monitor Safety and Feedback
- Implement a system for tracking consumer complaints and product incidents.
- Take corrective action if issues arise, such as recalls or design modifications.
How Euverify Simplifies Compliance with General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
Euverify provides an all-in-one solution for businesses to ensure compliance with GPSR and other EU regulations:
- Authorized Representative Services: Establishes a local point of contact in the EU for regulatory needs.
- Compliance Documentation Tools: Helps sellers generate and manage Declarations of Conformity and risk assessments.
- Traceability Assistance: Ensures proper labeling and record-keeping for seamless compliance.
Conclusion
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) introduces significant changes that affect sellers on Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon. From ensuring product safety to maintaining documentation and appointing Authorized Representatives, sellers must adapt to these requirements to remain compliant. With tools like Euverify, navigating these challenges becomes simpler, allowing sellers to focus on growing their businesses while staying ahead of regulatory demands.
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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?
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) introduces stricter rules to ensure consumer safety in the EU market. This regulation affects online sellers using platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon by imposing new requirements for product safety, documentation, and traceability. Whether you’re a small business or an established brand, understanding GPSR is crucial to remain compliant. This blog explores how GPSR impacts different types of sellers, the product categories affected, and what actions you should take.
What is the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)?
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is an EU-wide regulation designed to improve product safety for consumers. It applies to products that are not covered by sector-specific legislation (e.g., toys, medical devices). The GPSR introduces stricter rules for online marketplaces, fulfillment service providers, and sellers to ensure compliance and traceability in the supply chain.
Key Highlights of GPSR:
- Mandatory Traceability:
Sellers must provide clear information about the manufacturer, importer, and supply chain.
- Digital Marketplace Obligations:
Platforms like Amazon must verify product compliance before listing.
- Fulfillment Service Providers:
Warehouses and logistics companies may bear responsibilities if they market or package products.
- Risk Assessments and Safety Monitoring:
Sellers must perform and document risk assessments for their products.
How General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) Affects Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon Sellers
GPSR and Shopify and GPSR WooCommerce Sellers
- Typical Sellers Affected: Independent businesses selling physical products, often sourced from third-party manufacturers or white-label suppliers.
- Challenges:
- Ensuring product safety compliance for items sourced from outside the EU (e.g., China).
- Maintaining technical documentation, including risk assessments and safety reports.
- Listing the correct manufacturer, importer, or Authorized Representative (AR) details.
- Examples of Products Affected:
- Household items: Small appliances, cleaning tools.
- Toys and children’s products: Particularly those not CE marked.
- Beauty products: Tools or accessories like facial massagers or brushes.
- What Sellers Should Do:
- Verify that your products meet applicable EU safety standards.
- Add traceability details (manufacturer/importer/AR) to product labels and packaging.
- Perform risk assessments for potential hazards and maintain documentation.
- Appoint an EU-based AR if you are located outside the EU.
GPSR and Amazon Sellers
- Typical Sellers Affected: Dropshippers, resellers, and private label brands listing products on Amazon’s EU platforms.
- Amazon’s New Requirements:
- Sellers must provide evidence of compliance (e.g., Declaration of Conformity, risk assessments) before listing products.
- Non-compliant listings may be removed or blocked.
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) sellers may face additional scrutiny for product safety.
- Examples of Products Affected:
- Electronics: Chargers, power banks, headphones.
- Sports and outdoor gear: Camping equipment, fitness tools.
- DIY tools: Drills, saws, and similar items.
- What Sellers Should Do
- Review Amazon’s compliance requirements for GPSR
- Ensure proper labeling, including “Made in [Country]” and importer details.
- Upload the required documentation (e.g., DoC, AR contact details) to Amazon Seller Central.
- Monitor safety incidents and address consumer complaints promptly.
Which Products Are Affected by GPSR?
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) applies to non-sector-specific products sold in the EU. These include:
- Electronics and Appliances:
Devices not covered by the Low Voltage Directive.
- Household Goods:
Items like furniture, storage containers, and tools.
- Toys and Children’s Products:
Especially if they fall outside the scope of the Toy Safety Directive.
- Sports Equipment:
Fitness and recreational gear.
- Beauty and Wellness Products:
Accessories like rollers, mirrors, and brushes.
Steps Sellers Should Take to Stay Compliant
Verify Product Safety
- Conduct risk assessments for your products and identify any potential hazards.
- Ensure that your products meet all applicable EU standards, even if they are not explicitly required by sector-specific directives.
Update Product Labeling
- Include the following on the product and packaging:
- Manufacturer’s name and address.
- Importer’s name and address (if applicable).
- Country of origin (e.g., “Made in China”).
- Authorized Representative (AR) details if you’re a non-EU seller.
Maintain Documentation:
- Prepare and retain technical documentation, including:
- Risk assessments.
- Declaration of Conformity (if required).
- Safety test reports.
- Ensure these documents are accessible to EU authorities.
Appoint an Authorized Representative
- If you’re located outside the EU, appoint an EU Authorized Representative (AR) to manage compliance obligations and act as a point of contact for authorities.
Monitor Safety and Feedback
- Implement a system for tracking consumer complaints and product incidents.
- Take corrective action if issues arise, such as recalls or design modifications.
How Euverify Simplifies Compliance with General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
Euverify provides an all-in-one solution for businesses to ensure compliance with GPSR and other EU regulations:
- Authorized Representative Services: Establishes a local point of contact in the EU for regulatory needs.
- Compliance Documentation Tools: Helps sellers generate and manage Declarations of Conformity and risk assessments.
- Traceability Assistance: Ensures proper labeling and record-keeping for seamless compliance.
Conclusion
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) introduces significant changes that affect sellers on Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon. From ensuring product safety to maintaining documentation and appointing Authorized Representatives, sellers must adapt to these requirements to remain compliant. With tools like Euverify, navigating these challenges becomes simpler, allowing sellers to focus on growing their businesses while staying ahead of regulatory demands.
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