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Jewellery and Compliance: What You Need to Know to Avoid Bans in the EU Watch Out For
Selling jewellery? Then you need to understand GPSR compliance. It may not be the most exciting topic, but it’s essential to keep your business running smoothly and avoid legal trouble.
The General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) ensure that all jewellery – whether handmade or mass-produced, meets safety standards before being sold in the UK. But what does this mean for jewellery makers, manufacturers, and retailers?
In this blog, we’ll break it down in a clear and simple way. Whether you’re crafting unique pieces or running a large-scale jewellery business, we’ve got you covered on jewellery and compliance.
What is GPSR Compliance for Jewellery?
GPSR ensures that consumer products sold in the EU and UK, including jewellery, are safe to use. These rules help prevent harm to consumers by requiring manufacturers and suppliers to take the right precautions to meet safety standards.
GPSR Scope & Application
GPSR applies to all consumer products, including jewellery. However, specific safety requirements for jewellery may also fall under additional regulations like REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) in the EU. REACH restricts harmful substances like lead, cadmium, and nickel in jewellery. It’s essential to be aware of both GPSR and REACH to ensure full compliance.
Why GPSR Compliance Matters for Jewellery
Jewellery sits directly on the skin, sometimes all day, so it needs to be safe to wear. That means no harmful materials, no risk of irritation, and no hidden dangers like small parts that could pose choking hazards. Ignoring GPSR regulations can lead to product recalls, legal trouble, and a damaged reputation. Staying compliant protects both your customers and your brand.
GPSR Compliance for All Jewellery
Safe Materials – The metals and alloys used must be free from harmful substances like lead and cadmium, which are banned under GPSR. Choosing hypoallergenic, non-toxic materials helps prevent skin reactions and keeps consumers safe.
Small Parts – Beads, clasps, and pendants can pose choking hazards, especially for children. Jewellery with small detachable parts must meet safety standards and carry proper warnings if not suitable for young kids.
Sharp Edges & Points – Jewellery should be carefully finished to remove any sharp edges that could cause injuries.
Durability – Fragile jewellery that breaks easily can be dangerous. Ensuring durability helps prevent unexpected hazards and increases product longevity.
Non-Compliant Jewellery: What to Avoid
Jewellery that doesn’t meet safety standards is considered non-compliant. This includes:
Harmful Materials
Jewellery containing toxic metals like lead or cadmium, which can cause serious health risks.
Example: Swedish authorities flagged two jewellery items for exceeding legal safety limits on toxic metals. A bohemian-style necklace by Ribbon Center from Thailand contained 16.8% cadmium, a highly toxic metal that can accumulate in the body, damage the kidneys and bones, and even cause cancer. It also poses environmental risks due to bioaccumulation. Meanwhile, silvery earrings by PUSS (model 19-554) from China were found to have 0.11% lead, which can be especially harmful to children, affecting brain development and posing risks to unborn and breast-fed babies. Since both products violated the REACH Regulation, authorities ordered the destruction of the necklace on September 27, 2024, and the withdrawal of the earrings from the market on August 15, 2024, to protect consumers and the environment.
Unsafe Design
Pieces with sharp edges, broken clasps, or poorly attached stones that could lead to injuries or choking hazards.
Example: Authorities in France and Spain recalled two jewellery products due to safety concerns. In France, the Claire’s Slap Bracelet, sold between March and July 2018, was found to have missing protective coverings on some units, leaving sharp metal edges exposed that could cause cuts. To prevent injuries, recalls were also issued in Austria, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Poland. In Spain, the Amber Teething Necklace by ALBABIA was flagged as a choking hazard. Marketed as a natural teething remedy, the necklace had small parts that could easily detach and be swallowed, posing a serious risk to infants. Since both products failed to meet EU safety standards, authorities acted quickly to remove them from the market.
Lack of Proper Labelling
Jewellery that isn’t labeled with safety warnings or material details may not meet GPSR requirements.
Example: In France, a Natural Cultured Pearl Jewellery Kit was flagged for choking and fire hazards. The kit includes an oyster floating in liquid, containing a pearl that users can place into a pendant. However, it lacked proper flammability warnings, and the pearl posed a choking risk for small children. Since the product did not meet EU labelling and packaging regulations (CLP), the importer was required to add clear safety warnings to address these dangers.
While avoiding harmful materials and unsafe designs is crucial, compliance also depends on how jewellery is made – whether it’s mass-produced or handmade.
Practical Guide to GPSR for Jewellery
A helpful guide that provides a comprehensive overview of GPSR compliance for Jewellery.
Handmade Jewellery and GPSR Compliance
Handmade jewellery is more popular than ever, but being handmade doesn’t mean it’s exempt from GPSR regulations. Here’s what independent jewellery makers should keep in mind:
Craftsmanship & Detail – Handmade jewellery often features intricate designs, which can sometimes lead to sharp edges or small, detachable parts. Safety checks should identify and address these risks.
Material Sourcing – Unlike mass-produced jewellery, handmade pieces may use natural stones, vintage elements, or unconventional materials. These need to be assessed for potential hazards such as heavy metal content (e.g., lead, cadmium) or allergenic substances.
Testing & Certification – Mass-produced jewellery typically undergoes standardized safety testing. Handmade jewellery makers should proactively verify compliance with relevant regulations, either through self-assessment or accredited testing labs.
Small Batch Production – While small-scale production allows for detailed inspections, the absence of automated quality control means safety evaluations must be thorough and consistent.
Antique vs. Vintage Jewellery Under GPSR
Antique and vintage jewellery hold a special charm for both collectors and everyday wearers, but how do these labels impact compliance with GPSR?
Antique Jewellery (100+ Years Old)
As per the EU Directive (Annex IX, Part C of Council Directive 2006/112/EC), jewellery that’s over 100 years old is classified as an antique and is generally exempt from modern safety regulations like GPSR. However, sellers still have a responsibility to accurately describe these pieces and ensure they don’t pose immediate safety risks – such as containing lead or other hazardous materials.
Vintage Jewellery (20-99 Years Old)
Unlike antiques, vintage jewellery (typically between 20 and 99 years old) must meet GPSR requirements if sold as a consumer product. This means checking for harmful substances, ensuring structural integrity, and providing necessary safety warnings.
Restored or Modified Pieces
If an antique or vintage piece has been altered (such as replacing clasps, adding new stones, or re-plating metals) it might be considered a “new” product under GPSR. In that case, it would need to fully comply with modern safety standards.
Selling & Labelling Requirements
Sellers should clearly label and describe antique and vintage jewellery, indicating whether it’s meant for collectors or everyday wear. If an item contains materials that could pose a safety risk (like high lead content), proper warnings should be provided.
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Ensuring GPSR Compliance in Jewellery
To stay compliant, jewellery businesses must follow these steps:
Product Identification
- Each jewellery item should have a batch number, serial number, or another unique identifier.
- If marking the product isn’t possible, this information should be included on the packaging or accompanying documentation.
Manufacturer Details
- Your brand name, company name, or trademark must be clearly visible.
- Include your contact details (postal address and email) to ensure traceability.
- If the product is too small to mark, this info should be on the packaging or accompanying document.
Safety Warnings & Instructions
- If your jewellery contains small parts that could be a choking hazard, include clear warnings.
- Provide care and usage instructions to help customers handle jewellery safely.
Language Requirements
- Labels and warnings must be written in a language understood by consumers in the country where the product is sold.
As per Article 19 of GPSR (EU) 2023/988: “Any warning or safety information must be provided in a language easily understood by consumers in the market where the product is sold.“
Jewellery and compliance go hand in hand. GPSR keeps customers safe, prevents EU bans, and builds trust. Prioritise safety and quality to stay compliant.
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