The EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) (Regulation (EU) 2023/988) updates and strengthens consumer protection laws by ensuring that all products available in the EU market meet high safety standards. It replaces the previous General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) and officially took effect on June 13, 2023, with full enforcement starting on December 13, 2024.
Main Aspects of the GPSR
- Expanded Coverage – Applies to both physical stores and online sales, including products offered through digital marketplaces.
- Enhanced Oversight – Regulatory authorities have increased powers to monitor compliance, enforce rules, and order product recalls when necessary.
- Obligations for Businesses – Manufacturers and sellers must ensure their products are safe throughout their entire lifecycle, conduct risk assessments, and keep detailed records.
- Focus on Digital & AI Risks – New provisions address potential dangers from advanced technologies, cybersecurity threats, and AI-driven products.
- Responsibilities for Online Marketplaces – E-commerce platforms must work closely with regulators, respond swiftly to safety concerns, and improve product traceability.
- Improved Recall Process – Strengthens how product recalls are managed, ensuring that consumers are properly informed and compensated when necessary.
- Tougher Penalties – Companies failing to comply may face fines of up to 4% of their global annual revenue.
The GPSR modernizes EU safety regulations to tackle new challenges in an increasingly digital and interconnected world, ensuring safer products and fairer competition.
Recent Product Safety Violations
- Rugby Headgear Recall (March 2025) – The Hedkayse R1 Youth/Adult rugby headgear was recalled for failing to meet EU health and safety standards. Consumers were advised to discontinue use immediately and contact the manufacturer for a replacement.
- Children’s Scented Highlighters Recall – Penneys issued a recall for DTR Stitch SL 4pk Scented Highlighters sold between May 2024 and January 2025. The caps contained phthalates exceeding EU limits, posing potential health risks. Customers were urged to stop using the product and return it to any Primark store for a refund.
- Bohemian Style Earrings – Contain an excessive amount of cadmium (87.5% by weight), which poses severe health risks.
- Baby Soothers – Identified as a choking hazard due to breaking apart and releasing small parts; also contain volatile compounds that may cause long-term health risks.
- Protective Work Gloves – Found to contain chromium VI (20.5 mg/kg), which can cause skin irritation.
Enforcement Actions and Regulatory Developments
- Enhanced Customs Controls on E-commerce Imports – In February 2025, the European Commission announced plans to tighten customs checks on parcels from online retailers such as Shein and Temu. The initiative aims to address the influx of unsafe and counterfeit goods into the EU market and ensure fair competition. Measures include phasing out the €150 customs duty exemption and implementing stricter market surveillance.
- Obligations for Non-EU Retailers – The GPSR now mandates that every product placed on the EU market must have a designated responsible person within the Union to act as a point of accountability with market surveillance authorities. This extends to non-EU retailers, ensuring uniform oversight across all consumer goods.
Additional Resources
- EU Access2Markets Overview of GPSR – Provides detailed information on the key changes introduced by the GPSR, including strengthened risk assessment and increased accountability for economic operators.
- DLA Piper Analysis on Product Safety Landscape – Discusses the implications of the GPSR for various market players and the restructured compliance and liability landscape.
ECHA webpage: https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/news/eus-general-product-safety-regulation-gpsr-new-era-consumer-protection
Ekotox Chemicals management webpage: https://ekotox.eu/chemicals-management/
REACH Conference 2025: https://ekotoxtraining.com/events/reach-conference-2025/