EU GPSR: New Consumer Product Safety Rules Explained

On May 23,2023,the European Commission issued the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) (EU) No.2023/988,which will come into force on December 13,2024.This is not just a legal update,but also a revolution involving consumer product safety,global supply chains,and new technologies.In other words,it is the EU’s comprehensive response to consumer product safety in the "new normal" era.

I.Background and purpose of the new regulation

Official entry into force and implementation time: The new regulations came into effect on June 12,2023,and will be enforced compulsorily on December 13,2024.

Repeal of the old law: It will replace the old General Product Safety Directive (GPSD,2001/95/EC),and Directives 87/357/EEC and 2001/95/EC will be repealed as of December 13,2024.

Objectives and motivations: The new regulation aims to address major social changes affecting consumer product safety,such as the globalization of the supply chain and the development of new technologies.

II.Scope of application

Applicable products: This regulation applies to all products placed on the market or offered.

Special products: For products subject to specific EU laws,this regulation only covers aspects not covered by these specific requirements.

Exclusions: This regulation does not apply to pharmaceuticals,food,feed,etc.

III.Major changes and impacts

Key elements and assessment: The new regulation clarifies the evolving nature of products and the interrelationships in consumer product safety assessment.

Online and offline sales: It reduces the differences in product safety status between online and offline sales.

Online market requirements: It establishes product safety requirements specifically for online markets.

Obligations for imported products: It expands the obligations for all products imported into the EU without other harmonized standard directives.

Strengthened enforcement: It provides national authorities with the necessary tools to strengthen their enforcement powers.

Product recall: The new regulation also ensures effective product recalls,for example,by requiring direct contact with consumers and standardized recall notices.

IV.Conclusion

Impact on economic operators: All economic operators operating in the EU need to pay close attention to the changes in the new regulation and prepare corresponding countermeasures.

Impact on consumers: The new regulation will greatly improve the safety of products used by consumers.

Future outlook: The new regulation is expected to become a new benchmark for global consumer product safety standards.