The European Union’s approach to general product safety has changed. The General Product Safety Regulation, or GPSR, replaced the previous General Product Safety Directive, or GPSD, introducing a more modern framework for consumer product safety. For businesses placing consumer products on the EU market, the change is more than a simple update in terminology.
The transition from GPSD to GPSR reflects changes in the way products are sold, supplied and monitored. Online marketplaces, digital product information, traceability and the responsibilities of economic operators now play a more prominent role in the product safety framework.
The GPSR also applies directly across EU Member States, unlike a directive that generally requires implementation through national legislation.
This creates an important question for manufacturers, brand owners, importers and online sellers:
What actually changed between GPSD and GPSR, and what does your business need to do differently?
This guide explains the key differences between GPSR vs GPSD, the new requirements introduced under the General Product Safety Regulation and how businesses can prepare for ongoing compliance.
Reviewed by Deepa Sinha – Co-founder and CTO at GCRS Group
النقاط الرئيسية
- The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) replaced the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) as the EU’s general product safety framework.
- GPSR applies directly across EU Member States, creating a more consistent regulatory approach.
- The Regulation applies to many non-food consumer products where no more specific EU product safety legislation applies.
- GPSR places greater emphasis on online sales, product traceability and digital product information.
- Businesses need to understand their role as a manufacturer, importer, distributor, authorised representative or other relevant economic operator.
- Product safety assessments and technical documentation remain important for demonstrating compliance.
- Online product listings may need to include specific product and economic operator information.
- Compliance services can help businesses assess their obligations and prepare products for EU market access.
- Compliance automation can support the management of product information, documentation and compliance tasks across larger product portfolios.
What Is the Difference Between GPSR and GPSD?
The simplest difference is:
GPSD was a Directive. GPSR is a Regulation.
The previous General Product Safety Directive, Directive 2001/95/EC, established the EU framework for general product safety.
The General Product Safety Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2023/988, replaced it and became applicable from 13 December 2024.
The GPSR introduces updated requirements designed to reflect the modern consumer market, including the growth of e-commerce and online marketplaces.
While the core objective remains consumer safety, the GPSR provides a more detailed and directly applicable framework.
| Area | GPSD | التنظيم العام لسلامة المنتجات |
| Legal instrument | Directive | Regulation |
| Application | Implemented through national laws | Directly applicable across EU Member States |
| Online sales | Less detailed framework | Greater focus on distance and online sales |
| تتبع المنتجات | General requirements | More detailed traceability expectations |
| Economic operators | Established responsibilities | Greater clarity around responsibilities |
| Online marketplaces | Limited specific obligations | More defined responsibilities |
| Product information | Primarily traditional formats | Greater recognition of digital information |
| Product recalls | Existing requirements | Strengthened recall and consumer notification expectations |
The transition from GPSD to GPSR therefore reflects a broader shift towards stronger product traceability and improved consumer protection.
What Is the General Product Safety Regulation?
The General Product Safety Regulation is an EU regulation designed to ensure that consumer products placed or made available on the EU market are safe.
The GPSR applies to products where no specific EU legislation provides equivalent product safety requirements for the relevant risk.
This means businesses first need to determine whether their product is already covered by sector-specific legislation.
For example, some products may fall under specific regulatory frameworks relating to:
- Cosmetics
- Medical devices
- Toys
- Electrical equipment
- Machinery
- Food
- Chemicals
Where sector-specific legislation applies, the GPSR may still be relevant for risks or obligations not fully addressed by that legislation.
Businesses should therefore assess the regulatory framework applicable to the individual product rather than assuming that GPSR automatically applies in the same way to every consumer product.
Learn more about GCRS support for General Product Safety Regulation compliance.
GPSR vs GPSD: The Key Changes Businesses Need to Know
- A Regulation Instead of a Directive
One of the most significant changes is the legal structure.
Under the GPSD, EU Member States implemented the requirements through national legislation.
The GPSR, as a Regulation, applies directly across EU Member States.
This helps create a more consistent regulatory framework across the EU.
However, businesses should still be aware that national authorities are responsible for market surveillance and enforcement, meaning enforcement practices and procedures can still involve national authorities.
For companies selling products in multiple EU countries, understanding the GPSR can help establish a more consistent baseline for product safety compliance.
- Greater Focus on Online and Distance Sales
The consumer product market has changed significantly since the GPSD was introduced.
Products are now routinely sold through:
- Brand websites
- Online marketplaces
- Social media platforms
- Third-party e-commerce websites
- Cross-border digital platforms
The GPSR responds to this shift by strengthening requirements related to distance sales.
Businesses selling products online need to consider whether required product information is clearly available to consumers before purchase.
Depending on the product and applicable requirements, online listings may need to make relevant information available, such as:
- Product identification
- Manufacturer details
- EU-based economic operator information where applicable
- Product warnings and safety information
This means product compliance is no longer limited to the physical packaging.
Online product pages can also form part of the wider compliance process.
- Stronger Product Traceability Requirements
Product traceability is a central theme under GPSR.
Businesses need to be able to identify products and maintain information that supports effective action if a safety issue arises.
Depending on the business role and product, this may involve information relating to:
- Product identification
- Batch or serial numbers
- Manufacturers
- Importers
- Suppliers
- Distributors
- Economic operators
The objective is to make it easier to identify affected products and take action when a product safety issue occurs.
For businesses with large product portfolios, traceability can become operationally complex.
Disconnected spreadsheets and manually maintained records can make it difficult to quickly answer questions such as:
Which products were supplied to which markets?
Which batches are affected?
Who supplied the product?
Which consumers or distributors may need to be contacted?
A structured compliance system can make this information easier to manage.
- Clearer Responsibilities for Economic Operators
GPSR places continued emphasis on the responsibilities of economic operators involved in placing products on the market.
Depending on the supply chain, this may include:
- Manufacturers
- Importers
- Distributors
- Authorised representatives
- Fulfilment service providers
Each role may have different obligations.
For example, manufacturers are generally responsible for ensuring that products placed on the market meet applicable safety requirements.
Importers and distributors also have responsibilities relating to the products they make available.
For businesses based outside the EU, identifying the appropriate EU-based economic operator can be an important part of market-entry planning.
The specific role required will depend on the product, supply chain and applicable legislation.
Where appropriate, businesses may also need support from regulatory representatives or other authorised entities.
GCRS provides Responsible Person services for applicable product and cosmetic regulatory requirements.
- Updated Requirements for Product Safety Assessments
The GPSR continues the fundamental principle that products made available to consumers should be safe.
However, businesses need to take a structured approach to assessing potential risks.
A product safety assessment may consider factors such as:
- Product characteristics
- Composition
- Packaging
- Instructions for use
- Warnings
- Interaction with other products
- Consumer groups
- Children and vulnerable consumers
- Potential misuse
- Emerging risks
The assessment should reflect the specific product and reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.
A generic risk assessment may not be sufficient where the product has characteristics that create specific safety concerns.
Businesses should maintain evidence supporting their assessment and compliance decisions.
- More Detailed Requirements for Product Information
Under the GPSR, product identification and safety information play an important role in supporting traceability and consumer protection.
Products may need to include appropriate information relating to:
- Product identification
- Manufacturer details
- Importer or relevant economic operator details
- Warnings
- Safety instructions
The exact information required depends on the product and the applicable regulatory framework.
Information should also be understandable and accessible to consumers in the relevant market.
For businesses selling across multiple EU countries, language requirements should be considered as part of the product launch process.
- Increased Responsibilities for Online Marketplaces
Online marketplaces now play a more visible role in the product safety ecosystem.
The GPSR establishes obligations relating to the handling of unsafe products and cooperation with market surveillance authorities.
For brands, this creates an important commercial consideration.
A product compliance issue may not only affect regulatory status. It can also affect:
- Marketplace listings
- Product availability
- Consumer reviews
- Brand reputation
- Retailer relationships
- Product recalls
This makes proactive compliance particularly important for brands relying on online sales channels.
- Improved Product Recall and Consumer Notification Processes
The GPSR also strengthens the approach to product safety incidents and recalls.
Where a product presents a safety risk, businesses may need to take appropriate corrective action.
This can include:
- Withdrawing the product from distribution
- Removing products from online listings
- Warning consumers
- Recalling products
- Informing relevant authorities
The effectiveness of these actions depends heavily on the quality of the company’s product and distribution records.
A business that cannot identify affected products or trace where they were supplied may face significant operational challenges during a recall.
This is why traceability should be established before a safety issue occurs.
Does GPSR Apply to Cosmetic Products?
This is an important area where businesses need to avoid assumptions.
Cosmetic products placed on the EU market are primarily regulated under the EU Cosmetics Regulation, which contains specific requirements relating to product safety, labelling, Responsible Persons, product information and market surveillance.
The GPSR does not simply replace these sector-specific requirements.
However, businesses may need to consider the interaction between GPSR and sector-specific legislation where relevant risks or obligations are not fully addressed.
The applicable regulatory framework depends on the product and the specific legal requirements involved.
For cosmetic and personal care businesses, compliance should therefore begin with the applicable cosmetic legislation rather than assuming that GPSR is the primary regulatory framework.
How GPSR Changes the Compliance Process for Businesses
Under the GPSD, many businesses focused primarily on demonstrating that a product met general safety requirements before entering the market.
Under GPSR, the compliance process increasingly needs to consider the entire product lifecycle.
This includes:
Before Market Entry
- Product safety assessment
- Product classification
- Identification of applicable legislation
- الوثائق الفنية
- Economic operator arrangements
- Labelling and warnings
- Traceability systems
During Online Sales
- Product information
- Economic operator details
- Safety warnings
- Product identification
After Market Entry
- Product monitoring
- Complaint management
- Incident assessment
- Corrective action
- Recall management
- Authority cooperation
This means product safety is no longer simply a pre-launch task.
It becomes an ongoing compliance responsibility.
A Practical GPSR Compliance Checklist
Businesses preparing products for the EU market can start with the following questions:
Product Assessment
- Is the product covered by GPSR or specific sector legislation?
- Have relevant safety risks been assessed?
- Is technical documentation available?
- Are the product’s intended and reasonably foreseeable uses understood?
Economic Operators
- Who is the manufacturer?
- Is an EU-based economic operator required?
- Who is the importer?
- Who distributes the product?
- Are responsibilities clearly documented?
Product Information
- Is the product clearly identifiable?
- Are manufacturer details available?
- Are relevant warnings and instructions included?
- Are language requirements considered?
Online Sales
- Does the online listing contain the required product information?
- Are relevant economic operator details displayed where required?
- Are warnings available to consumers before purchase?
Traceability
- Can the product be linked to a batch or production record?
- Can affected products be identified quickly?
- Are supplier and distribution records maintained?
Post-Market Processes
- Is there a process for handling product complaints?
- Can potential safety issues be investigated?
- Is there a process for corrective action or recall?
How Compliance Automation Can Support GPSR Compliance
As product portfolios grow, GPSR compliance can involve large volumes of information.
Businesses may need to manage:
- Product specifications
- تقييمات السلامة
- الوثائق الفنية
- Supplier information
- Economic operator records
- Batch information
- Product labels
- Online product information
- Compliance tasks
- Corrective actions
Compliance automation can help centralise this information and improve visibility across product, quality and regulatory teams.
For example, structured systems can support:
- Document management
- Product information tracking
- Compliance task management
- Review reminders
- Version control
- تتبع المنتجات
- Regulatory change monitoring
Technology does not replace the need for regulatory expertise.
However, it can help businesses manage complex information more efficiently and reduce the risk of missed actions.
Why GPSR Compliance Matters Beyond Avoiding Regulatory Problems
Product safety compliance can also support commercial growth.
Retailers, distributors and online marketplaces increasingly expect businesses to demonstrate that products are properly documented and ready for market.
A structured compliance process can help:
- Improve retailer confidence
- Support faster market entry
- Reduce delays caused by missing documentation
- Strengthen supply chain visibility
- Improve recall readiness
- Support international expansion
For growing businesses, compliance can become a commercial capability rather than simply an administrative obligation.
A well-organised regulatory process can make it easier to enter new markets and respond to customer or retailer requirements.
GCRS provides خدمات الامتثال to support businesses with product compliance and regulatory requirements across different markets.
Common Mistakes When Moving From GPSD to GPSR
- Assuming Existing GPSD Processes Are Automatically Sufficient
Businesses should review their existing processes against the updated GPSR requirements.
Areas such as online product information, traceability and economic operator responsibilities may require additional attention.
- Focusing Only on Physical Product Labelling
Online product information can also form part of the compliance process.
Brands should review product pages and marketplace listings.
- Not Clearly Identifying Economic Operators
Manufacturers, importers, distributors and authorised representatives can have different responsibilities.
These should be clearly understood and documented.
- Treating Traceability as a Supply Chain Issue Only
Traceability is also important for product safety, corrective actions and recalls.
- Waiting for a Product Safety Issue Before Creating a Recall Process
Businesses should have procedures in place before an incident occurs.
Conclusion
The transition from GPSD to GPSR represents a significant development in the EU’s approach to general product safety.
The underlying objective remains the same: consumer products placed on the market must be safe.
However, the GPSR introduces a more modern framework that reflects the realities of today’s market.
The key changes include:
- Direct application across the EU
- Greater attention to online and distance sales
- Stronger product traceability
- Clearer economic operator responsibilities
- Greater recognition of digital product information
- Enhanced product safety and recall processes
For businesses, the most important step is to assess which requirements apply to their specific products and supply chain.
A product-by-product review can help determine whether GPSR applies directly, whether sector-specific legislation takes priority and what evidence is required to demonstrate compliance.
A structured approach to product safety, documentation and traceability can help businesses prepare not only for EU market entry but also for ongoing regulatory responsibilities.
Need Support With GPSR Compliance?
Understanding whether the General Product Safety Regulation applies to your product, and how it interacts with sector-specific legislation, can be complex.
GCRS supports businesses with product safety assessments, regulatory documentation, market-entry planning and wider compliance requirements.
Whether you are reviewing an existing product portfolio or preparing to launch products in the EU, our specialists can help you take a structured approach to compliance.
Speak to a GCRS Compliance Specialist
Explore our GPSR compliance support and خدمات الامتثال to learn how GCRS can support your EU product safety and compliance strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GPSR and GPSD?
GPSD was the EU’s General Product Safety Directive, while GPSR is the General Product Safety Regulation. GPSR replaced GPSD and applies directly across EU Member States. It also introduces updated requirements reflecting modern product safety challenges, including e-commerce, online marketplaces and product traceability.
When did GPSR replace GPSD?
The General Product Safety Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2023/988, became applicable on 13 December 2024 and replaced the previous General Product Safety Directive as the EU’s general product safety framework.
Does GPSR apply to every product sold in the EU?
No. Many products are regulated by specific EU legislation, such as cosmetics, medical devices, toys or electrical products. Businesses need to assess the specific regulatory framework applicable to their product and determine whether GPSR applies directly or alongside sector-specific requirements.
What are the main new requirements under GPSR?
Key areas include stronger requirements relating to online and distance sales, product traceability, economic operator responsibilities, product safety information, online marketplaces and product recalls. The exact obligations depend on the product and the business’s role in the supply chain.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER – DEEPA SINHA
Co-founder and CTO at GCRS Group, supporting cosmetic and personal care brands with global regulatory compliance, Responsible Person services, claims review, testing coordination and international market entry strategy across the UK, EU, USA, UAE, India and wider global markets.
She works alongside the wider GCRS regulatory team to help brands navigate evolving cosmetic regulations and launch products compliantly across multiple regions.
