GPSR Labeling Requirements

The EU's General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) officially comes into effect on December 13, 2024, marking the beginning of a new era of stringent regulations for cross-border e-commerce. Platforms are now adopting mandatory compliance modes, and sellers on European marketplaces are facing the serious challenge of product delisting. To solidify their presence in the EU market and ensure the continued circulation of their products, sellers must complete compliance upgrades before the regulation takes effect.

1. What is GPSR?

GPSR stands for the European Commission's newly issued General Product Safety Regulation. This is a key regulation to ensure product safety within the EU market. The main aim is to enhance product safety and traceability by requiring businesses to provide more comprehensive and transparent information, thereby protecting local consumer rights and addressing the new challenges of the digital age. The GPSR will replace the current General Product Safety Directive and the Food Imitation Products Directive. It will be effective starting December 13, 2024.

2. Which Sellers and Products Are Affected?

The GPSR sets out specific obligations for businesses to ensure product safety, applicable to all sales channels. This means that all online platforms selling products in the EU market (such as Amazon, AliExpress, Alibaba International, SHEIN, TEMU) will be subject to GPSR regulations.

The GPSR applies to non-food consumer products sold in the EU and Northern Ireland, including electronics, clothing, toys, furniture, household appliances, packaging materials, and food contact materials. It also covers second-hand, repaired, refurbished products, and spare parts.

3. New Requirements on Different Platforms:

1. Amazon

From December 13, 2024, most non-food products (including both CE-marked and non-CE products) sold in the EU and Northern Ireland must comply with the GPSR. Amazon sellers must take the following compliance actions before this date:

- Ensure all products sold in the EU and Northern Ireland meet current labeling and traceability requirements.

- Designate an EU representative for the products.

- Label the product with contact information for the responsible party, manufacturer, and importer (if applicable).

- Include product type, batch, or serial number on the label.

- Provide safety information and warnings on the product label in the language of the sales country/region (if applicable).

- Display the contact information of the responsible party, manufacturer, and detailed contact information in the online product information.

- Provide product images and any other necessary identification details for the product in online listings.

- Display warnings and safety information in the sales country's language.

2. AliExpress

GPSR will apply to most non-food general consumer products sold in the EU. AliExpress is expected to begin blocking non-compliant products on the platform in mid-September. Products with non-compliant physical labels, either semi- or fully-declared, will be intercepted at the warehouse. By mid-November, blocking measures will be applied to existing non-compliant products, with all non-compliant products being blocked by December 1. Products that are fully compliant will be prioritized for display and traffic support.

3. Alibaba International

Alibaba International sellers must ensure they have registered an EU representative and associated their products accordingly to ensure they can be sold in the EU market. Products that are not linked to an EU representative will be blocked from the EU market, and EU orders will be intercepted from December 13, 2024. Sellers must enter the relevant EU representative information and complete product linkage in the backend.

4. SHEIN

SHEIN has issued important notices regarding GPSR. Sellers must ensure that the products they sell comply with GPSR requirements, including product qualifications, labels, packaging, instructions, warnings, safety information, and the necessary EU representative (EU agent) details. These details must be displayed on the product page.

According to GPSR requirements, products without an EU representative will be prohibited from being sold on SHEIN, so sellers must meet these requirements by December 13 and submit their EU representative information.

5. TEMU

From December 13, 2024, TEMU requires all products sold to the EU to declare EU representative information and affix corresponding EU representative labels. The platform will strengthen verification of information such as the EU representative and manufacturer details. Products lacking the necessary information or containing incorrect or non-compliant details may be unable to be sold in the EU.

4. How Can Sellers Achieve Compliance?

1. Self-check Product Testing Standards

Ensure that all products sold in the EU and Northern Ireland meet the existing labeling and traceability requirements.

2. Provide an EU Representative

Considering the need to update product labels and packaging, it is advisable for businesses to register their EU representative as early as possible.

3. Affix Compliant Product Packaging Labels

Ensure that product labels include the following information (this label can be placed on the product, its packaging, the parcel, or accompanying documents):

- Contact details of the EU representative:

- The EU representative’s company name, communication address, and email must be included on the product itself, packaging, parcel, or accompanying documents (such as the manual).

- Labels should be primarily printed rather than applied as stickers.

- Labels must be clearly visible and resistant to removal.

- The size of the EU representative label should be adjusted according to the packaging size.

- Warnings and safety information (in the language of the sales country/region).

- Product type, batch, serial number, or other identifying elements.

- The postal address and email/URL of the manufacturer and importer (if applicable), and any additional contact information (if different from the above).

4. Upload Regulatory Information to Platforms

Sellers must upload and display the following information in online product listings:

- Detailed information of the EU representative.

- Manufacturer and importer details (if applicable).

- Product safety and warning information (in the language of the sales country).

In summary, GPSR has become the key regulation for product safety in the EU. Sellers are advised to review their product compliance promptly to ensure their products can be sold without issue and remain safe and compliant in the international market.