The EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), effective from 13 December 2024, introduces specific requirements for product instructions to enhance consumer safety and ensure compliance.
What is the GPSR?
The GPSR is a European Union regulation aimed at ensuring that all consumer products sold in the EU are safe, even if there are no specific EU laws governing those products.
It replaces the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) and strengthens the EU’s product safety framework, especially in light of increasing online sales and global supply chains.
Key Points of the GPSR
- Applies to All Consumer Products Whether the product is sold offline or online, the GPSR applies if no specific safety legislation exists.
- Stronger Online Marketplace Rules Online platforms like Amazon or eBay have new responsibilities to cooperate with market surveillance authorities and quickly remove non-compliant products
- Enhanced Traceability Businesses must keep better records of product origin, suppliers, and distribution. This includes clear labeling and documentation to trace unsafe products quickly.
- Obligations for Economic Operators Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must ensure that products are safe before they reach consumers and take action if safety issues are found.
- New Rules for Product Recalls The GPSR improves product recall procedures to make them more efficient and consumer-friendly, such as requiring effective communication with affected customers.
The GPSR’s primary aim is to guarantee the safety of goods sold both offline and online through any sales channel. It replaces previous national regulations, establishing a unified standard for product safety across all EU member states. The regulation’s main objective is to ensure that only safe products are placed on the market, thereby reducing the risk of harm to consumers. It applies to a wide range of products, including electronics, toys, household goods, and cosmetics.
How do I know if my products are affected?
It is a consumer product sold in the EU
- Whether sold online or in a physical store.
- Whether manufactured in the EU or imported.
- Even free products, like promotional giveaways, count.
It is not already covered by more specific EU product legislation
- If your product doesn’t fall under other CE-marking regulations (like toys, machinery, medical devices, pharmaceutical, etc.), it likely falls under the GPSR.
- If it does, GPSR still applies as a supplement, especially around recalls and general obligations.
It is offered through online platforms or marketplaces
- The GPSR introduces specific rules for e-commerce and requires traceability and easy access to product safety information for online buyers.
It is a connected or software-powered product
- IoT devices, smart home gadgets, or apps with physical components are now explicitly included under GPSR — especially if a software update could affect user safety.
Examples of products typically affected
| Product Type | GPSR Applies? |
|---|---|
| Gardening Products Electric hedge trimmers, pruning shears, garden gloves, hose reels, seed spreaders… | Yes Especially for tools and products used by consumers at home. |
| Flatpack Furniture Self-assembly desks, wardrobes, bookshelves, TV stands… | Yes Must be safe to assemble and use, with clear instructions to prevent injury or collapse. |
| Arts & Craft Products Scissors, glue guns, paint sets, modeling clay, kits… | Yes Especially important for products used by children or involving sharp tools or chemicals. |
| Plants & flower Care Fertilizers, plant food, watering systems, plant support stakes… | Yes Chemical products and tools must include safety usage instructions. |
| Barbecue Charcoal grills, gas barbecues, fire starters, BBQ tools, thermometers… | Yes Fire-related products must include safety guidance and usage precautions. |
| Toys & Games Board games, action figures, dolls, puzzles, ride-on toys… | Partially Toys are covered under the Toy Safety Directive, but GPSR may still apply to general obligations or recalls. |
Clear Instructions: Key to Safety and Compliance
The GPSR highlights the critical role of product instructions in ensuring safety and compliance. Clear, accurate instructions help prevent accidents and misuse while meeting regulatory requirements for including user safety advice.
With a focus on the risks of online shopping, the GPSR underscores the need for clear instructions to guide customers in choosing, using, troubleshooting, and maintaining products, enhancing satisfaction and trust in your brand.
By using StepAlong to create, publish and manage your product instructions, compliance with the GPSR is easy.
GPSR Requirements
GPSR Requirement:
Clarity and Comprehensibility
Instructions must be clear, accurate, easily understandable, and available in the languages of the markets where the product is sold.
How StepAlong Helps:
Step-by-Step Structure & AI Translation
StepAlong enables you to effortlessly create clear, step-by-step instructions and leverage our AI-powered, context-sensitive translation tools to ensure compliance with multilingual requirements.
GPSR Requirement:
Safety Information
Comprehensive safety warnings and guidelines for proper use must be included to prevent misuse and potential hazards.
How StepAlong Helps:
Safety Information Wherever You Need
StepAlong provides flexibility to incorporate all necessary safety warnings seamlessly, whether at the start of the instructions or embedded within relevant steps.
GPSR Requirement:
Accessibility
Information should be accessible to all consumers, including those with disabilities, aligning with the European Accessibility Act’s requirements.
How StepAlong Helps:
EAA Compliance
StepAlong is committed to ensuring that all instructions created on our platform meet EAA standards, providing inclusive accessibility for all users across online and PDF formats.
GPSR Requirement:
Up-to-Date Content
Instructions must be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in product design or applicable regulations.
How StepAlong Helps:
Immediate Updates
StepAlong simplifies the process of keeping your instructions current. Any updates are instantly reflected in both your online instructions and downloadable PDFs.