GPSR Amazon Seller Guide 

by Minefield Nav

The European Union has rolled out a new set of rules called the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). This is a big update to the current safety standards for products. 

The new regulation comes into effect on December 13, 2024. So you still have several months to adapt. The main goal here is to make sure all non-food products sold in the EU are safe, no matter where they are sold – yes, that includes online marketplaces like Amazon.

1. What to Know About GPSR

The GPSR covers most non-food consumer products sold in the EU, including used and refurbished goods. Some things are excluded, like medicines, food, animal feed, living plants and animals, and certain transportation equipment, since they have their own regulations.

GPSR was designed to boost consumer confidence by making sure all products meet safety requirements, regardless of where they come from or how they are sold.

2. EU Responsible Person

The main change for Amazon sellers in the EU is that you’ll need a Responsible Person based in the EU. This person will be the contact point for authorities and consumers about product safety issues and make sure the documentation does not get lost if the producer stops selling. This is not necessary, if you are already based in the EU. The contact details of the EU Rep, along with those of the manufacturer and importer, must be clearly labeled on the product, packaging, or accompanying documentation.

At Minefield Navigator we specialize Amazon sellers' compliance, so they can have a good sleep and not worry about the regulatory mines and traps. We combine the experience of selling over Amazon with knowledge of law. Look at our GPSR package offer to save you time and hastle.

3. Other GPSR Requirements

3.1 Documentation

Manufacturers must conduct risk assessments before selling products. 

They must keep technical documentation, safety and use instructions for up to 10 years. The only exception is the case when the product is so simple that it does not need any instructions. 

The stored data include detailed descriptions of the product, safety features, and complaints or measures taken and any product testing (if conducted) or claimed compliance with EU regulations. There is no official template or prescribed format. 

3.2 Publishing Safety and Use Information

For online sales, you need to make sure your product listings include detailed safety information, warnings and instructions in the language of the customers. Amazon must check that products listed on their website contain this information. We can help you draft such a document for upload to the GPSR compliance section on Amazon.

3.3 Tracable Products 

Products or the packages must include identifiers. It is generally preferred to have identifiers on the product. The identifiers can be anything like type, batch, or serial numbers to make tracking easier. 

The reason for these requirements is so that the customers are safe and informed and that the EU can in case of emergency warn the customers and instruct them to return dangerous products.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you do not follow the regulation, you risk Amazon account suspension and you can lose thousands of dollars per day. Also there may be hefty fines in the EU states. Each market authority can give you a fine up to $250,000.

4. Steps for Amazon sellers to comply with GPSR

As the GPSR kicks in, here’s what we suggest:

4.1 Prepare the Documentation

Before you go to the market, you should have the technical documentation, including technical documentation and declarations of conformity. These documents may be requested by the EU country government authorities and must be available. Store them for 10 years.

4.2 Authorize a Responsible Person

If you are not based in the EU and want to sell your goods there, you must name a Responsible Person based in the EU in writing, for instance using a letter of authorization. For EU based companies, this step is optional. This person serves as a point of contact for regulatory authorities. We offer you the responsible person at a competitive price. Use of a professional GPSR service can save you a lot of time and make sure that you comply with all GPSR provisions.

4.3 Check Your Packaging and Product

Each product must include identifiers that allow for easy traceability, like type, batch, serial number, or another identifier that enables tracking throughout the supply chain. It’s fine to put the number on the packaging if it does not fit on the product. 

The details of the EU Rep as well as the manufacturer, importer or distributor, including postal address and email, must be provided on the product, its packaging. Only for the EU Rep details, it’s enough to have them on accompanying documentation such as a product insert. 

You should always attach the safety and use instructions in a language the customers understand.

Be careful, because there may be other regulatory mines such as extended producer responsibility (EPR) and national package recycling instructions. GPSR usually won’t be the only law that applies to your product. We can help you with these requirements as well.

4.4 Update Product Listings

Ensure your product listings include comprehensive information that meets GPSR requirements. This includes product identifiers, manufacturer information, and safety information in the official languages of the countries where you market it and also the contacts of the EU Rep. It should also include the images of the product where they are missing.

If you sell products under your own brand, you are considered a manufacturer. If not, you are usually viewed as a distributor, which means you need to ensure the manufacturer has all their compliance in order.

Note this is a simplified description. We at Minefield Navigator provide a comprehensive check-list for all situations, which is free for you to download. First you have to make sure that your products are in scope, second we get to know what your obligations are based on your position in the supply chain, and third we make sure that your GPSR product IDs and labeling are right. If the compliance rules seem too hard to understand, you may get help from us or from other legal experts or compliance specialists. 

5. Conclusion

General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is a significant change and Amazon sellers need to understand what this means and take steps to ensure their products and listings comply by the December 13, 2024 deadline. If you need help from Minefield Navigator, we would be happy to help you as we did to other sellers before you.

6. Next steps

Unlike some other companies, we are happy to share with you the complete knowledge, no partial references. And we are completely happy if you do stuff on your own, as many Amazon sellers so. And that is how we started as well. 

The first option to go is to check our Free GPSR Guide. Connect with us and download the most comprehensive check-list on the market. You will have a precise list of the obligations set by the regulation, written by our experts, whether you are an importer, producer or distributor.

Of course, for customers who want the expert advice and services such as the responsible person and do not want to study all this on their own, we would be happy to help you with professional service: