GPSR

What it means

The GPSR, General Product Safety Regulation, is the EU regulation on general product safety that has applied since 13 December 2024. It replaced the earlier directive and applies directly in every EU state. It covers non-food consumer products not governed by specific safety legislation, which is a large part of everyday ranges.

The regulation requires every product placed on the EU market to have a responsible economic operator in the Union, such as the manufacturer, importer or an authorised representative. The product must carry identification, details of the manufacturer and the responsible person and, where needed, warnings and safety information in the language of the country of sale.

The rules for online sales have been significantly tightened. An online store and a marketplace must show in the listing the same details as on the packaging, and marketplaces must cooperate with authorities in recalling dangerous products. The GPSR complements rules such as CE marking for products they cover.

How it works in practice

We recommend online stores check that every product listing shows the manufacturer’s name and address, the responsible person in the EU, product identification and a picture or description, plus safety warnings in Slovak where needed. With goods bought from outside the EU, such as from China, a seller can easily become an importer with full obligations.

Manufacturers must carry out risk analysis, keep technical documentation and have a procedure for handling accidents and recalling products. Accidents caused by a product are reported through an EU portal. In consumer complaints an ordinary defect must be distinguished from a safety problem that may require notification.

In Slovakia the Slovak Trade Inspection carries out most of the supervision. Companies that manufacture or import products should also consider product liability insurance to cover damage caused by a defective product.

What to watch out for

The most common mistake is selling goods from a foreign supplier without checking who the responsible person in the EU is. If there is none, responsibility falls on whoever places the product on the market, with fines and a duty to recall a dangerous product at one’s own cost.

Watch for incomplete listings too. A missing manufacturer address or safety warning is a breach even for an otherwise safe product, and the Slovak Trade Inspection checks this in online store inspections. Marketplaces may remove such listings on their own.