What is the GPSR?

On May 23, 2023, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety, also known as the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR).

The new regulation will replace the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) 2001/95/EC after a transitional period that will end in December 2024.

As this is having a big impact for retailers en manufacturers, Hexspoor will answer the most frequently asked questions.

What changes?

Do you sell non-food consumer products in the EU and Northern Ireland? You must comply with new product safety rules when the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) takes effect. The GPSR protects EU consumers from unsafe products. You already have to make sure your products are safe. With the entry into force of the GPSR a number of important changes take effect, among other things:

• Product traceability requirements

To make it easier to trace and recall unsafe products, you must meet the requirements:

• • Contact details of the legally responsible party must be put on the product or its packaging.
    • If the manufacturer is located in the EU, the contact details of the manufacturer must be on the product.
    • If the manufacturer is established outside the EU, then the contact details of the importer or of the authorised representative (AR) must be on the product or its packaging.

• Representative in the EU

Are you established outside the EU and do you offer products on the EU market? All manufacturers of non-food consumer products must soon have representation in the EU. The manufacturer can appoint a representative in the EU to comply. This is called the authorised representative (AR). The AR is the point of contact in the EU and must ensure your products meet the requirements of the GPSR.

Do you sell on online platforms (Amazone, Bol for example)

The GPSR imposes extra requirements on these providers, such as:

• • Online platforms must designate a central contact point for communication with national product safety authorities.
  • Online platforms must register with the EU Safety Gate Portal and clearly indicate their central point of contact.
  • Online platforms must have internal product safety procedures in place to comply with the GPSR.

When?

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) will be implemented by amending the Commodities Act. This amendment will take effect on 13 December 2024.

Role Hexspoor

As a logistics and fulfilment partner, Hexspoor E-fulfilment does not take on any role as the EU-authorized representative under the GPSR. This means that it is your responsibility to meet the new requirements and appoint an appropriate representative if you have not done so already.

Role Authorized representative

An authorized representative is authorized for at least the following tasks:

• Provide information to the supervisor(s): If a supervisor asks for information about the safety of a product, the AR must provide it. This concerns the EU declaration of conformity and the technical file of the product. The AR must keep the technical file for at least 10 years.
• Help prevent risks: Are consumers who use the product exposed to risks? For example, can they be injured if they use the product incorrectly? Then the AR must help the supervisor(s) to prevent those risks.
• Reporting any shortcomings found in a product to the supervisory authority(s) via the EU Safety Gate platform.

Need advise?

Hexspoor is there to help you with your logistic needs as your European fulfilment partner. But also when it comes to GPSR, we will help you where we can. You can contact us any time at info@hexspoor.nl. For GPSR advise you can also:

• find more general information on the Ministry’s website https://business.gov.nl/
• contact our partner Alura Group and ask them to conduct a quick scan to provide you with personalized advice and, if needed, a tailored offer for AR services. The quick scan is available for a special tariff for Hexspoor relations for €395. For more information, please contact Hexspoor E-fulfilment at GSPR@hexspoor.nl.