The GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) has directly obligated online sellers since December 13, 2024, in all EU member states to provide manufacturer and safety information for every consumer product. Regulation (EU) 2023/988 replaces the previous General Product Safety Directive and applies directly, without requiring national implementation. The first practical step for Amazon sellers: Check today in Seller Central under "Safety and Product Resources" whether the manufacturer's name and contact details, and if applicable, the EU importer's details are provided for every active listing. If this information is missing, Amazon may deactivate affected offers. This obligation applies regardless of whether you act as a manufacturer, importer, or pure retailer. Detailed guidance on navigating these regulatory requirements can be found within our Knowledge section.
Checklist for Implementation
- Check Product Data: Ensure that for each product, the name and contact details of the manufacturer, and if applicable, the EU importer are provided.
- Provide Safety Information: Warnings and safety information must be available in the language of the respective sales market and must be visible to the consumer before purchase.
- Maintain Amazon Seller Central: Enter the required data completely in the "Safety and Product Resources" section of your Seller Central account to meet platform requirements.
- Inform Supply Chain and Authorities: If you become aware of safety risks with a product, you are obliged to immediately inform the manufacturer and the responsible market surveillance authority.
- Retain Documentation: Collect evidence of origin, conformity declarations, and communication with manufacturers in a tamper-proof manner so that you can react immediately to an official inquiry.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake in practice is assuming that responsibility lies solely with the manufacturer. However, as a seller, you are obligated to conduct fact-based reviews to ensure that the provided information is present and correct. Another mistake is ignoring products that are already regulated by other specific EU regulations, such as the Toy Directive; always check if the GPSR, as a "framework regulation," imposes additional requirements. Furthermore, it is often overlooked that the obligations also apply to used or refurbished goods, even if they have been part of the assortment for a longer time. Finally, some sellers rely on outdated product data sheets, even though the contact details of the manufacturer or importer may have changed over time – regular updating of master data is therefore part of ongoing due diligence.
Background
The GPSR serves as a comprehensive safety foundation for all consumer products for which no more specific safety regulations exist. It thus complements existing product-specific regulatory frameworks and closes gaps that previous directives left open. For online marketplaces like Amazon, this means an immediate operational consequence: the platform technically implements the proof of compliance in Seller Central and can block listings with missing information even before an authority takes action. Sellers should therefore understand the regulation not as a one-time compliance task, but as a permanent component of product data maintenance. We offer professional support for your Pruefverfahren to ensure your goods meet all necessary standards.
For binding legal interpretation, Regulation (EU) 2023/988 is the authoritative primary source; it is fully and freely accessible via the official EU portal EUR-Lex. For technical questions regarding data entry in your seller account, Amazon's Seller Support is the correct point of contact, accessible directly via Seller Central. For specific legal questions regarding your product range or classification as a manufacturer, importer, or seller, please contact your responsible Chamber of Industry and Commerce or the national market surveillance authority in your sales country. These bodies practically enforce the regulation and can provide binding information on your individual case, which this article, as general information, cannot replace.
Sources & Further Reading
- Verordnung (EU) 2023/988 über die allgemeine Produktsicherheit (GPSR) – EUR-Lex
- Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR) » Das musst du jetzt wissen
- EU-Verordnung 2023/988 - Vorschriften zur allgemeinen Produktsicherheit - IHK Halle-Dessau
- Die neue EU-Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR): Pflichten der einzelnen Wirtschaftsakteure - WKO
- L_2023135DE.01000101.xml - EUR-Lex