The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) 2024 is a piece of European Union legislation designed to enhance consumer protection by ensuring that all products available on the EU market are safe for use. Effective from December 13, 2024, the GPSR replaces the previous General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) and the Food Imitating Product Directive, modernising the EU’s product safety framework to address emerging challenges, particularly those arising from digitalization and the growth of online sales.
The regulation applies to the EU and Northern Ireland.
Key Objectives of the GPSR 2024:
- Universal Product Safety: Mandates that all consumer products, including those sold through online marketplaces, meet stringent safety standards.
- Enhanced Market Surveillance: Strengthens the monitoring of products in the market to ensure compliance and facilitate prompt action against unsafe products.
- Improved Recall Procedures: Introduces more efficient processes for recalling dangerous products, including a mandatory recall notice template and a right to remedy for consumers.
Key Provisions:
- Precautionary Principle: Encourages stakeholders to apply the precautionary principle widely when assessing product safety.
- Obligations for Economic Operators: Establishes specific safety obligations for manufacturers, importers, distributors, and online marketplace providers to ensure product safety throughout the supply chain.
- Reinforced Traceability: Implements stricter product traceability requirements to facilitate the identification and removal of unsafe products from the market.
- Accident Reporting: Requires businesses to report accidents involving their products to authorities, enhancing the ability to respond to emerging safety issues.
The GPSR 2024 represents a significant advancement in consumer protection within the EU, addressing the complexities of modern markets and technological developments. Businesses operating within the EU are required to comply with these regulations to ensure the safety of their products and maintain consumer trust.
Note: The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 continue to apply in Great Britain.
