General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) - What Every Small Manufacturer Needs to Know
The GPSR is now in force. Here's a practical breakdown of what EU product safety compliance looks like for small makers selling on Etsy, Amazon, and beyond.
Last updated: March 2026
The EU’s General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) came into force on 13 December 2024, replacing the old General Product Safety Directive and the Food Imitating Product Directive. It’s been running for over a year now — and marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon are actively enforcing it.
The regulation is intended to ensure consumer safety and the overall integrity of the EU market. It addresses the surge of DTC sellers on online marketplaces and tightens up how product recalls are handled. For small makers, the implications go well beyond updating a listing or two.
If you sell non-food handmade products to EU customers, GPSR applies to you — regardless of where you’re based or how small your operation is.
In this article, we’ll give you a practical breakdown of what the GPSR requires, what compliance actually looks like on the ground in 2026, and how to use your systems to stay on the right side of the rules.
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What’s inside this article:
- What’s the purpose of the GPSR?
- Online Listing (or Offer) Requirements
- GPSR for Etsy sellers
- GPSR for Amazon sellers
- Appointing a European “Responsible Person” and what they do
- Product Traceability Requirements
- Testing Requirements
- Labelling Requirements
- Product Safety Recall Requirements
- Accident Reporting Requirements
- What GPSR compliance looks like in practice
- What Do Small Manufacturers Need to Do for GPSR Compliance?
- How Craftybase Can Help You Achieve GPSR Compliance
What’s the purpose of the GPSR?
The GPSR mandates that all products within the EU markets are safe. If your business makes products that are non-food related and you directly sell to EU customers via sales channels, then these regulations apply to you.
What products are covered under the GPSR?
The GPSR covers non-food products across many categories: new, second-hand, repaired and reconditioned (with some caveats on the last two).
Some examples of the products covered include:
- Children’s products (such as high chairs, beds etc.)
- Household goods and cooking equipment
- Gardening Tools
- Furniture and soft furnishings
- Bicycles
- Candles
- Art and hobby materials
Products not covered by the EU GPSR are:
- Medical products for human or animal usage
- Food (this is covered under a completely different EU regulation)
- Feed for animals
- Living plants and animals
What are the GPSR requirements?
As is usual with EU legislation, there is a lot that is covered and much of it is very technical in nature. We’ve tried to distil the requirements into a more digestible format. Let’s cover the main requirements now:
Online Listing Requirements
A big part of the rules require that any product you sell in the EU via an online site includes a listing description (known as an “offer”) containing:
- The details of the manufacturer (if you make your products in-house then this will be your company);
- The details of your responsible person in the EU (we’ll cover this one shortly — it’s a bit involved);
- Enough information to identify the product online: this covers the product picture, codes and SKUs
- Any warnings and safety information required, provided in the language of the country of sale.
This safety information should include (but is not limited to):
- CE marks
- toy safety warnings
- energy labels
- chemical hazard warnings
- any other warning or safety information that is affixed to the product or packaging, or included in an accompanying document.
GPSR for Etsy sellers
Etsy sellers with EU customers must now add manufacturer details and a responsible person to every applicable product listing. Etsy has been enforcing this since the regulation came into force, and in April 2025 they rolled out new tools to make compliance easier.
One of the most useful additions: you can now add your responsible person details shop-wide, applying them to all EU-facing listings at once rather than updating each listing individually. You can also restrict your shop’s sales to specific regions if you’d prefer to opt out of EU/NI selling while you sort out compliance.
Non-compliant listings can be removed without notice. And if a market authority flags a product as non-compliant, Etsy can suspend your account from EU sales entirely.
Here’s what you need on each EU-facing listing:
- Manufacturer name, address, and contact details
- EU Responsible Person name, address, and contact details
- Any required safety information in the language of the sale country
GPSR for Amazon sellers
Amazon has made EU Responsible Person appointment mandatory for certain product categories, and this is not going away. Amazon monitors compliance permanently — so listing without a valid responsible person in those categories will result in suppressed listings.
If you sell on Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, or any other EU marketplace, check your category requirements carefully. Higher-risk categories — children’s products, electrical items, anything with flammability risks — are subject to stricter scrutiny than general consumer goods.
The process mirrors Etsy: appoint a Responsible Person, make sure your manufacturer details are accurate, and include all required safety information in your product descriptions.
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Appointing a European “Responsible Person”
A key step is appointing what the EU calls a “Responsible Person”. This requirement applies to EU-based businesses, and also to businesses selling to the EU.
If you are not based in the EU, keep in mind that you cannot act as the responsible person for your products. If you intend to sell directly to EU consumers, you must find an authorised representative to act on your behalf.
What does a Responsible Person do?
The responsible person must perform certain key compliance tasks:
a. Regularly checking that the product complies with the technical documentation
b. Ensuring that the product comes with the required traceability information
d. Making sure that the correct records are maintained and stored
e. Ensuring that the product comes with the relevant instructions and safety information
f. Cooperating with market surveillance authorities
Who can be a “responsible person”?
The responsible person has to be operating from an EU state and can be one of the following:
An EU manufacturer that makes their own products and sells directly under their brand / trademark
An EU importer that imports products from outside countries into the EU
An EU authorised representative receives written instructions from the manufacturer to act on its behalf for certain tasks
An EU fulfilment service provider that offers at least two of the following services: Warehousing, Packaging, Addressing and/or Dispatching
Product Traceability Requirements
One of the big focus pieces of the GPSR sets stringent product traceability requirements, meaning businesses need to ramp up their tracking capabilities for raw materials right through to sale. This regulation requires more comprehensive material traceability record-keeping of your product’s journey from production to sale.
If a recall happens, you need to be able to trace which batch was affected and who received it — and you need to do it quickly.
In particular, Article 9 of the GPSR details how to establish product traceability through “product identification elements”. This requires batch numbers, lot numbers and/or serial numbers to be tracked through the production process.
Testing Requirements
Testing your EU-bound products is not just an option — it’s a legal requirement.
Adherence to EU standards, such as REACH-substance testing, flammability tests, and more, gives you the assurance that your goods are safe and ready for the market.
The various types of testing available serve a range of purposes and will differ based on the products you make.
Some examples of testing are:
- Substance testing checks for harmful chemicals and heavy metals in a material, ensuring they fall within acceptable limits.
- Electrical testing covers a broad spectrum, from safety to energy efficiency to wireless communications.
- Physical or Mechanical Property Testing checks for potentially dangerous features, like sharp points and small parts.
- Flammability testing serves to examine various elements of fire safety (this one is key for candle testing).
The good news is, accredited test laboratories are located all around the globe, not just within the EU region. Whether you’re a manufacturer stationed in the US, India, China, or elsewhere, you can access these crucial safety tests at local labs.
Labelling Requirements
The GPSR requires manufacturers to provide clear labelling information on their products and packaging, with strict rules about placement.
Each product needs to carry a unique identifier — either a lot or batch number or other key identifier that can enable materials to be traced to the source. Warning and safety information should also be clearly displayed on the label.
Product Safety Recall Requirements
Should a product recall become necessary, you’ll need to issue a recall notice using a standardised template that includes:
- The prominent heading ‘Product Safety Recall’
- Detailed description of the recalled item with images, name, brand, product ID numbers, and details of sale
- Clear description of the potential risk associated with the product, avoiding misleading terms such as ‘voluntary’ or ‘in rare situations’
- A step-by-step guide for customers, including a request to stop using the product
- Direct reference to the recourse options
The template highlights the legal mandates in red text and provides additional spaces for voluntary inclusion of:
- A customized apology
- Links to social media/web pages
- QR code or other strategies directing to the product recall page.
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Accident Reporting Requirements
Businesses are now required to report accidents to authorities. This reinforces market surveillance rules and makes sure unsafe products don’t reach or remain in consumers’ hands.
Manufacturers now have to notify Safety Gate if there’s an accident caused by a product. This applies when product use has led to personal harm — be it death, serious health effects, injuries, other bodily damages, illness, or chronic health issues.
Promptness matters. The moment you become aware of the incident, it should be reported “without undue delay” according to the GPSR.
What GPSR compliance looks like in practice
After more than a year of enforcement, a clearer picture has emerged for most small makers. The good news: if your products are safe and well-made, you’re mostly doing documentation and labelling work — not fundamental redesigns.
Here’s a practical checklist for getting compliant:
1. Appoint an EU Responsible Person (if you’re not EU-based) This is the most urgent step for non-EU makers. Services like EaseCert, Euverify, and others provide authorised representative services specifically for small sellers. Many are affordable for sole-trader operations.
2. Update your product listings Add your manufacturer name, address, and contact details to every listing. Add your Responsible Person’s details too. On Etsy, you can now do this shop-wide for all EU-facing listings at once.
3. Label your products correctly Each product needs a unique identifier (batch number, lot number, or serial number), manufacturer details, and any relevant safety warnings — in the language of the sale country.
4. Keep technical documentation You don’t need to submit this anywhere proactively, but you need to have it ready. For most general consumer goods, a self-assessment and materials record is sufficient. Higher-risk categories need more formal documentation.
5. Track your batches If a recall happens, you need to identify which products are affected and trace them back to specific production batches. Good inventory and traceability software makes a significant difference here. Doing this in a spreadsheet after the fact is painful and error-prone.
6. Set up a recall plan You don’t need to have had a recall to have a plan. Know the steps, have the template ready, and make sure your records would support a fast response.
For most small makers, the biggest compliance gap isn’t product safety — it’s documentation. Start there.
What Do Small Manufacturers Need to Do for GPSR Compliance?
As a small manufacturer, here are some immediate steps to take:
Read the GPSR in its entirety to understand the regulations and what is required for your business. As this is a living regulation, keep up with any changes — there may be category-specific updates over time.
Update all of your online listings to make sure they include the required information (and abide by the language requirement too).
Review your production processes: make sure they meet the safety standards outlined in the GPSR.
Make sure all of your products have adequate testing and documentation.
Implement systems or software that can track and manage product traceability.
Establish a solid recall plan so you have a clear process in place for recalling products from the market.
Educate your employees: make sure your team is aware of the new regulations and how to adhere to them.
How Craftybase Can Help You Achieve GPSR Compliance
Craftybase is inventory management software built specifically for small makers who sell across multiple sales channels online. It includes compliance and traceability features designed to help you hit your GPSR obligations quickly, without adding a pile of extra admin.
With Craftybase, you can simplify your production processes, improve record-keeping, and track product traceability — all in one place.
Here’s how Craftybase helps you meet your GPSR requirements:
1. Production Process Management
Craftybase lets you document and manage your production processes, making sure they line up with the safety standards in the GPSR. Clear, organised production records make it straightforward to demonstrate compliance during inspections and audits.
2. Product Traceability
Craftybase’s advanced lot and batch tracking capabilities enable you to establish and maintain product traceability.
By recording key details such as batch numbers, materials used, and production dates, you can efficiently track your products throughout their lifecycle. In the event of a safety issue or recall, Craftybase provides the necessary information to quickly identify affected batches and take appropriate action.
3. Document Management
Craftybase allows you to store and manage important compliance documents, such as safety data sheets, test reports, and certificates. With all your documents organized and readily accessible in one place, you can easily provide evidence of compliance when required.
Craftybase gives small manufacturers the tools to handle GPSR compliance with confidence. Its traceability and compliance features simplify your operations, strengthen product safety, and make sure your business stays on the right side of the regulations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does GPSR apply to handmade goods?
Yes — there's no general exemption for handmade products under the GPSR. The regulation defines no category of "handmade goods" as exempt. If you sell non-food handmade products to EU customers, you're in scope regardless of how small your operation is. The only exemptions are antiques and products placed on the market before December 13, 2024. For most makers, compliance is primarily about documentation, labelling, and appointing a Responsible Person — not redesigning products that are already safe.
How does the GPSR apply to second-hand products?
All products — new or second-hand — are covered by the GPSR. The only exceptions are products that are clearly advertised and marked as "repaired" or "reconditioned", along with antiques.
Does GPSR apply to free products?
Yes, the GPSR applies to products given away for free. If you're handing out samples or promotional items to EU consumers, the same safety rules apply.
I'm a small handmade seller — does GPSR apply to me?
Yes. GPSR obligations apply to businesses of all sizes — the regulation is designed so that EU consumers can buy safe products whether they're shopping from a sole-trader maker or a large corporation. If you sell non-food products to EU customers online, you're in scope.
Do all products covered by the GPSR need to have technical documentation?
Yes, all products need technical documentation. The exact amount of information required varies depending on the type of product — higher-risk categories like children's goods or electrical items will require more detailed documentation than simpler products.
Will QR codes suffice as GPSR-compliant labelling?
No. To comply with GPSR, a physical label with all necessary information must be placed clearly on the product itself, or on the packaging. QR codes are fine as a supplement — a way to point customers to more detail — but they can't replace the required physical label.
The Compliance Software you need for GPSR.
Try Craftybase - the inventory and manufacturing solution for DTC sellers. Track raw materials and product stock levels (in real time!), lot and batch tracking, COGS, shop floor assignment and much more.
It's your new production central.
