If you sell non-food products in the EU and Northern Ireland, you will be required to meet General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) requirements in 2024.

 

GPSR requirements come into force December 13th, 2024

GPSR primarily focuses on physical consumer products and is a critical regulation for anyone selling non-food products in the EU and Northern Ireland. It imposes stringent requirements on product safety, risk management and traceability, which can significantly impact business operations.

 

How does GPSR impact publication and book mailings?

The GPSR does not appear to directly impact the delivery of magazines and publications into the EU and Northern Ireland. Generally, publications, books and other printed materials are not considered ‘consumer products’ in the context of GPSR. Therefore, they are not subject to the safety requirements and regulations imposed by the GPSR - but it's a very confusing message - so there may be exceptions!

However, if magazines or publications are shipped with additional items (e.g., gifts, samples), those items might fall under the GPSR if they are considered consumer products. Rest assured the team here at Spatial Global will keep you updated on the specific implementation details of the GPSR, it has created more questions than it answers. As the regulation comes into effect, guidance and interpretations from authorities might provide more clarity on its application to media products.

 

How does GPSR impact parcels and ecommerce?

The GPSR applies to all consumer products sold online to customers in the EU and Northern Ireland, regardless of where the seller is located. This includes products sold through e-commerce platforms, websites, and social media. E-commerce businesses must perform due diligence to ensure that the products they source and sell are compliant with the GPSR. This includes verifying the safety of products from third-party suppliers.

Product Safety Assessment: Ecommerce businesses will need to conduct thorough safety assessments on all products before they are shipped. This includes evaluating potential risks associated with product design, materials, and intended use.

Packaging and Labelling: Proper packaging and labelling are crucial to ensure product safety during transit. Businesses will need to comply with packaging standards and provide clear information about product contents and safety instructions.

Traceability: Maintaining accurate records of product movement is essential for traceability. Ecommerce platforms and logistics providers must implement systems to track parcels throughout the supply chain.

Market Surveillance Cooperation: Ecommerce businesses must cooperate with market surveillance authorities and report any safety concerns or incidents related to their products.

Returns and Recalls: Efficient return and recall processes are vital for product safety. Ecommerce platforms and logistics providers need to have systems in place to handle returns and coordinate product recalls effectively.

Online Marketplaces: Platforms selling products must ensure that sellers comply with GPSR requirements. This includes verifying product safety information and taking steps to prevent the sale of unsafe products.

 

What is the Windsor Framework?

In February last year, the Government and the EU agreed on the Windsor Framework. The Windsor Framework attempts to balance the requirements of both UK and EU regulations in Northern Ireland following Brexit. Particularly to facilitate trade while maintaining product safety standards in Northern Ireland. Businesses operating in Northern Ireland must navigate these dual regulatory requirements to ensure compliance, particularly when their products could cross into the EU market.

If you have specific concerns about how the GPSR might impact your publication, book or ecommerce mailings then please get in touch with the Spatial Global mail team who will be able to advise you.

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