GPSR is the General Product Safety Regulation, issued by the European Commission and to be complied with by any seller responsible for the safety of their product. It entered into force on 13 December 2024 and is aimed at ensuring product safety in the European Union and Northern Ireland markets.
GPSR Security Obligations
GPSR applies to non-food consumer goods and extends to new and used goods, as well as goods that have been repaired, refurbished, or remanufactured. This policy took effect on December 13 and requires sellers not located in the EU to comply with several key points:
- Presence of a Responsible Person in the EU and the inclusion of their details in listings and on product labeling
- Information about the manufacturer or importer in each listing and on product labeling
- Product labeling and ensuring information about the responsible persons and product safety; this also concerns certain product identifiers.
From time to time our clients ask whether we can become the Responsible Person in the EU. For a number of reasons, as of today we cannot implement such a possibility. If such an option becomes available, we will inform you about it further.
How to comply with the General GPSR Safety Regulation
Here are a few recommendations that can be done right now:
1. Add to the description of each listing safety instructions for use.
2. Provide your contact details as the manufacturer or seller.
3. Place safety warnings or labeling directly on the product or its packaging.
Who is this article for?
- For sellers from Ukraine who sell physical goods to customers in the EU and Northern Ireland.
- For store owners on Etsy, eBay, Amazon, and other marketplaces with delivery to the EU.
- For manufacturers and sellers who want to understand how to comply with GPSR without a local representative in the EU.
The seller's main obligations under GPSR
| Requirement | What needs to be done |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person in the EU | Ensure the presence of an authorized person/company in the EU and specify their details in the listings and product labeling. |
| Information about the manufacturer/importer | Clearly indicate the manufacturer or importer in each listing and on the product labeling. |
| Labeling and safety | Apply to the product or packaging safety warnings, the contact information for the responsible persons, and product identifiers. |
| Safety recommendations | Add safety guidance for use in each listing, especially for high-risk products. |
How to comply with the General GPSR Safety Regulation
Here are a few recommendations you can implement right now:
- Include safety usage recommendations in the description of each listing.
- Provide your contact details as the manufacturer or seller.
- Place a safety warning or labeling directly on the product or its packaging.
GPSR compliance checklist
- Check which of your products are sold to customers in the EU and Northern Ireland (on Etsy, eBay, Amazon and other marketplaces).
- Update your listing descriptions by adding clear safe-use guidelines and risk warnings.
- Make sure that in every listing and on the product labeling the manufacturer or importer is stated, as well as contact details.
- Explore the possibility of appointing a Responsible Person in the EU (through specialized companies or partners).
- Familiarize yourself with Etsy, eBay and Amazon GPSR guidelines and meet their requirements for your product categories.
- If you do not plan to sell in the EU, use the marketplace settings to opt out of sales to these markets (when the feature becomes available).
Marketplaces and GPSR
Etsy recommends making some changes to listings, and published its recommendations. If your item falls under the new GPSR policy, but at the same time does not meet its requirements, Etsy may take appropriate actions, which may include removing your listing and/or suspending your account. Such measures are possible only if Etsy receives a notification from the regulatory authorities of the EU or Northern Ireland.
If you are a seller located in the US or another market outside the EU, the GPSR policy also applies to you, since you list goods for sale in the EU and Northern Ireland, and/or if you manufacture, import, or distribute products available to consumers in the EU or Northern Ireland, regardless of where you are located.
Also in Seller Handbook it is noted that by the end of February 2025 Etsy will begin rolling out store-level settings in Shop Manager, which will allow you to easily opt out of selling your goods in the EU and Northern Ireland. This update will apply to all products in the store (including both physical and digital goods).
Etsy also allows adding a representative in the EU, but only to business accounts registered as professional sellers (registered businesses or professional sellers). This option is not available for individuals.
eBay also stated compliance requirements with the new GPSR policy and published the safety information inclusion recommendations for your listings. eBay also offers several authorized companies that can become your official representatives in the EU.
Amazon as of December 13, 2024, planned to remove all items that do not meet GPSR requirements. It also plans to add special fields for entering the necessary information.
How do marketplaces implement GPSR requirements?
| Marketplace | What it requires | Possible consequences of non-compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Etsy | Add safety information in listings, display manufacturer/representative data in the EU; the Seller Handbook announces the possibility of refusing sales in the EU/Northern Ireland at store level from the end of February 2025. | Removal of listings and/or suspension of the account upon requests from EU or Northern Ireland regulators. |
| eBay | Add “product safety disclosures” in listings and, if needed, use authorized representative companies in the EU. | Restriction of products or account for non-compliance with product safety requirements. |
| Amazon | From December 13, 2024, planned to remove products that do not comply with GPSR and to introduce separate fields for the required information. | Removal of products, restrictions on sales in the EU/Northern Ireland. |
Example of security information in the listing
You can add a separate block in the product description section:
Safety information: the product is not intended for children under 3 years old, contains small parts that may be swallowed. Use only under adult supervision. Keep away from open flame and high temperatures.
Indicate separately the contact details of the manufacturer/seller and, where applicable, the Responsible Person in the EU.
How to send a parcel to Germany from Ukraine
With Western Bid sending a parcel to Germany or any other European country is easy. We offer not only a great selection of shipping options, but also such delivery methods for which customs clearance of the parcel is already included in the forwarding cost. Your customer won’t have to pay any additional fees or duties beyond those they paid when purchasing on the marketplace. Among such methods are UPS Ground, FedEx Regional Economy, DPD to Europe. You can find out the shipping cost for your goods in the shipping calculator.
What a seller from Ukraine should do today
- Assess which of your products are actually bought in the EU and Northern Ireland.
- Update listings and labeling in accordance with the basic GPSR requirements.
- Stay up to date with GPSR updates on Etsy, eBay, and Amazon help pages to avoid losing access to the market.
If you need help with logistics and shipping goods to the EU, use Western Bid’s international shipping services, including UPS Ground, FedEx Regional Economy, and DPD, where customs clearance is often included in the price.
Frequently Asked Questions about GPSR for Sellers from Ukraine
What is GPSR and when did it come into force?
GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) — the General Product Safety Regulation adopted by the European Commission, which entered into force on 13 December 2024 and applies to EU markets and Northern Ireland
Which products does GPSR apply to?
The regulation concerns non-food consumer goods: new, used, repaired, refurbished or remanufactured, which are available to consumers in the EU and Northern Ireland
Does GPSR apply to sellers located outside the EU?
Yes. If you sell goods to customers in the EU or Northern Ireland through marketplaces or other channels, GPSR applies to you regardless of the seller’s country of registration..
What is a Responsible Person in the EU?
Responsible Person — this is an authorised representative in the EU whose details must be indicated on the product and in the listing. Western Bid cannot act as such a party for now and will inform you if the situation changes.
What information must be included in listings and on products?
It is necessary to provide information about the manufacturer or importer, the contact details of the person responsible, safety labeling, as well as product identifiers.
Are there separate requirements from Etsy, eBay, and Amazon?
Etsy, eBay, and Amazon publish their own GPSR guidelines and may remove listings or restrict accounts when regulators file complaints, so it’s important to follow their instructions.