European Regulation 2023/988 on general product safety, commonly known as the GPSR, governs the safety of many consumer products placed on the European Union market. For an esoteric shop, responsibilities differ depending on whether the business resells a product purchased from a European supplier or imports it directly from a non-EU country.
Distributors must check before selling
Distributors must verify that the manufacturer and, where applicable, the importer have fulfilled certain identification and information obligations. If there are grounds to believe a product is non-compliant or dangerous, they must not simply continue offering it for sale.
Importers have greater responsibilities
Before placing products on the market, importers must ensure that they meet the general safety requirement and that the manufacturer has complied with the applicable requirements. They must also provide their contact details, ensure that understandable safety information is supplied where necessary and retain the required documentation.
Keep usable documentation
Invoices, manufacturer details, product references, batch numbers or other identifiers, instructions and compliance correspondence should all be easy to retrieve. If a problem arises two years after purchase, well-organised records save you from searching through old emails.
What if a product is dangerous?
The GPSR provides for corrective measures that can include withdrawal or recall. Economic operators must also cooperate with the authorities and use the Safety Business Gateway in the circumstances specified.
Read this alongside our guide to product traceability and recalls.
Official source
EUR-Lex — Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety