Table of Contents
Introduction to the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
What Does the GPSR Require for Selling on Marketplaces Like Amazon, Bol, Miravia, VeePee, eBay or Mediamarkt?
Consequences of Not Complying with the GPSR in Your Amazon, Bol, or Miravia Account
Best Practices to Avoid Account Suspension for Non-Compliance with the GPSR
Key Documentation You Must Have Ready
Visible on the Product Page
Available for the Marketplace
The Impact of Language and Safety Warnings in the GPSR
What Type of Products Need the CE Mark to Comply with the GPSR in Amazon?
What Steps Should I Take if My Products Are Removed from a Marketplace Due to GPSR Non-Compliance?
Conclusion
Useful Links
Introduction to the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
The General Product Safety Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/98), known as the GPSR, aims to ensure that all products sold in Europe are safe for consumers. This directly affects sellers operating on marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, Bol, VeePee, Mediamarkt, Miravia, etc. As they are required to demonstrate compliance with this regulation through clear and precise documentation.
This regulation introduces significant changes for those selling imported products from outside the European Union, adding new obligations that, if not met, could cause serious issues in the operation of your business.
What Does the GPSR Require for Selling on European Marketplaces Like Amazon, eBay, Bol, Miravia, VeePee, Mediamarkt, etc.?
Marketplaces have started preparing for the GPSR's enforcement by requesting a range of documents to validate that products comply with European regulations. The most common documents you will be asked for are:
Instruction manual
Photos of the product and its labelling
Photos of the product packaging
Declaration of conformity
CE marking, if applicable
Identity and address of the manufacturer or brand, importer (if applicable), and authorised representative in the EU
Mandatory safety warnings on the product, its packaging, and the instruction manual
Energy label and consumption data sheet, if applicable
These documents not only verify that your product is safe, but they also need to meet the GPSR requirements to avoid your product being removed from marketplaces or your account being suspended.
Consequences of Not Complying with the GPSR in Your Marketplace Account
Failure to meet the GPSR requirements can result in serious consequences, such as:
Suspension of your seller account on platforms like Amazon, eBay, Bol, VeePee, Miravia, Mediamarkt, etc.
Product removal from the marketplace, leading to direct economic losses.
Sanctions for legal non-compliance, including fines and legal liabilities for selling unsafe products.
In summary, not only do you risk losing visibility in the marketplaces, but you may also face financial and legal sanctions that could jeopardise your business.
Best Practices to Avoid Account Suspension for Non-Compliance with the GPSR
Here are some practical solutions to ensure you comply with the GPSR requirements and avoid any negative consequences for your seller account:
Keep all documentation up to date: It's crucial to have a well-organised system to ensure you have all the documentation that marketplaces may request, especially declarations of conformity and photos of the product with the visible CE mark.
Ensure safety warnings are complete: Verify that mandatory safety warnings are present on the packaging, product, and instruction manual. Remember that they must be translated into the official language of the countries where you sell.
Collaborate with an authorised representative in the EU: If you're a manufacturer, brand, or importer from outside Europe, you are required to designate an authorised representative who acts as the contact for European authorities.
These steps will not only help you comply with the regulations, but they will also allow you to maintain your seller account in good standing and reduce the risk of business interruptions.
Key Documentation You Must Have Ready
The GPSR requires several documents to be available both for the marketplaces and for consumers, depending on the product type. Below is a breakdown of what must be visible on the product page and what must be available for authorities:
Visible on the Product Page:
Photos of the product's marking and its packaging, including all warning labels.
Instruction manual.
Declaration of conformity for products with wireless connectivity (Examples include headphones, wireless headsets, speakers, and even fans or washing machines). For more information on applicable products, refer to the Directive 2014/53/EU.
Declaration of conformity for machinery (Examples include motor tools like drills, saws, screwdrivers, but also lawn mowers or adjustable desks). For more information on applicable products, refer to the Directive 2006/42/EC.
Energy label and consumption data sheet, if applicable.
Available for the Marketplace:
Additional photos of the product and packaging.
Detailed information about the manufacturer, importer, or authorised representative.
Additional conformity tests if the product is subject to specific regulations.
Declaration of conformity.
The Impact of Language and Safety Warnings in the GPSR
One of the key aspects of the GPSR is that all safety information and warnings must be available in a language easily understood in the country where the product is sold. Some sellers opt for English, but this can lead to problems if it is not the official language of the country of sale.
We recommend using universal icons for warnings and complementing this information in the product manual, translated into the relevant languages. This will reduce the risk of issues with authorities and ensure that your products are safe for consumers.
What Type of Products Need the CE Mark to Comply with the GPSR in Amazon?
The CE mark is mandatory for a wide range of products sold within the European Union. Below are some examples of product categories that require the CE mark to comply with the GPSR and be sold on marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Bol, Miravia, VeePee, Mediamarkt, etc:
Household appliances: Washing machines, refrigerators, electric ovens, microwaves, but also lamps and ceiling fans, which must comply with the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU).
Electronic devices: Televisions, flashlights, hair trimmers, headphones, etc. Any device that operates connected to the mains, with batteries, or a rechargeable battery must comply with the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (2014/30/EU).
Telecommunications equipment: Mobile phones, routers, Wi-Fi devices, and other products that require wireless connectivity. These products are regulated under the Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU).
Toys: All toys sold in Europe must comply with the Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC).
Medical products: Items such as masks, medical devices, and other health-related products must comply with the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR 2017/745).
Power tools: Drills, saws, screwdrivers, and other DIY or industrial tools, which are regulated under the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC).
The CE mark ensures that these products have been assessed and meet the essential safety, health, and environmental protection requirements set by the European Union.
What Steps Should I Take if My Products Are Removed from a Marketplace Due to GPSR Non-Compliance?
If your product has been removed from a marketplace for non-compliance with the GPSR, follow these steps to resolve the issue and prevent future sanctions:
Review the removal notice: The marketplace will send you a notice detailing the reasons for the product removal.
Correct the missing or incorrect documentation: If the removal is due to missing documentation, such as a declaration of conformity or incomplete safety warnings, ensure you correct these issues as soon as possible.
Check the safety warnings: Ensure that safety warnings are present on the product, its packaging, and in the instruction manual.
Designate an authorised representative in the EU: If you haven’t already, make sure you have an authorised representative in the EU to act as a contact for market surveillance authorities.
Contact the marketplace: Once you have resolved the issues, contact the marketplace support team. Submit the revised documentation and request that your product be reinstated.
Seek professional advice: If the process seems complicated, or you face difficulties getting your products reinstated, it’s best to seek help from a compliance expert, such as Your Compliances, to ensure everything is in order.
Remember, it’s important to review all your products regularly to avoid future non-compliance and ensure they meet all European regulations.
Conclusion
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) presents a significant challenge for European marketplaces sellers, but it is also an opportunity to demonstrate that your products are safe and comply with European regulations. Failure to comply with the GPSR can put your seller account and business at risk, but by taking the necessary steps to comply with the regulations, you will not only avoid sanctions but also gain the trust of consumers and marketplaces.
At Your Compliances, we make the GPSR compliance process as easy as possible, providing you with the solutions you need to keep your account in optimal condition and sell with confidence in Europe.