Welcome to our two-part series including an introduction to GPSR and also the products in scope. Our intention is to get our selling partners up to speed and compliant with the new regulations coming to the EU.

On December 13, 2024, the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) will become applicable. This regulation will replace the General Product Safety Directive and the EU directive on dangerous products resembling foodstuffs. It will introduce requirements for most non-food consumer products offered for sale in the EU. The GPSR builds upon the Market Surveillance Regulation and provisions from other existing EU directives and regulations.

The GPSR will not apply in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). It will, however, apply in Northern Ireland, under the Northern Ireland Protocol. For more information on the Northern Ireland Protocol, go to this European Commission web page.

Products in scope

Most non-food consumer products that are offered for sale in the EU are in scope of the GPSR, including used, repaired and reconditioned products.

There are some exceptions, which include the following:

• Medicinal products for human or veterinary use
• Food and drinks
• Animal feed
• Living plants and animals (including genetically modified organisms and genetically modified microorganisms in contained use, as well as products of plants and animals relating directly to their future reproduction)
• Animal by-products and derived products
• Plant protection products (for example, pesticides)
• Equipment on which consumers ride or travel when that equipment is directly operated by a service provider within the context of a transport service provided to consumers and not operated by the consumers themselves
• Aircraft
• Antiques

Stay tuned for the second part in our two-part series which will go over the Main requirements.

We would love to hear from our sellers about this change and any pain points you may encounter so please share in the comments below.