Since 13 December 2024, every consumer product sold in the European Union, in a shop or online, must be safe and have a person responsible established in the Union. This is Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety ("GPSR").
Who is affected
- All operators selling products to consumers in the Union: manufacturer, importer, distributor, online seller. They place "only safe products" on the market (Article 5).
- The point that affects Asia: a product may be placed on the European market only if there is an operator established in the Union responsible for it (Article 16). A manufacturer based in China, Thailand or Vietnam therefore needs an importer, an authorised representative or another responsible person in Europe.
- Online marketplaces have their own obligations: a contact point for authorities and consumers, registration on the Safety Gate portal (Article 22).
What to do
- Importer (Article 11): before selling, check that the product is safe and that the manufacturer has done its part; put its name, postal address and e-mail address on the product (or the packaging, or an accompanying document); do not hide the manufacturer's label.
- Online or distance selling (Article 19): the listing must clearly show: the manufacturer's name and addresses; if the manufacturer is not established in the Union, the name and addresses of the European responsible person; a picture and the product identifier; the safety warnings, in the language of the buyer's country.
- Dangerous product: do not sell it; inform the manufacturer and the authorities through the "Safety Business Gateway" portal (Article 11(2)).
Dates
- Applicable since 13 December 2024 (Article 52).
Official source (consolidated version of 29/05/2026, read on 01/11/2026) : Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of 10 May 2023 on general product safety — EUR-Lex
General information, not legal advice. Check the official source before you decide.