GPSR Standards: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Compliant on Amazon

December 13, 2024, marked a significant milestone for e-commerce sellers with the implementation of the new provisions of the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). For Amazon sellers, this represents a major overhaul of compliance requirements.

In this article, uncover the new rules of the game, everything you need to know about the GPSR, its impact on your business, and the steps to take to ensure compliance while safeguarding your sales.

Because a non-compliant product doesn’t just lose customer trust—it could also lead to the deactivation of your listings. Spoiler alert: that’s not an option!

What is the GPSR?

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) aims to strengthen consumer protection by ensuring that all non-food products sold within the European Union comply with strict safety requirements.

Here are its key aspects:

• Accountability for Sellers
  Every product must be accompanied by documents proving its compliance, such as declarations of conformity, test certificates, and detailed technical sheets.

• Harmonization of Controls Across the EU
  By standardizing criteria throughout the EU, the GPSR facilitates coordination between surveillance authorities and marketplaces, reducing the risk of non-compliance.

• Traceability and Transparency
  Consumers (and authorities) must be able to trace a product's origin in case of issues. This requires clear information about manufacturers and importers.

For Amazon sellers, this means increased pressure to meticulously document your products. Transparency is crucial for building consumer trust and avoiding the risk of listing suspensions. Non-compliant products will be prohibited from sale, which could significantly impact your business.

No Need to Panic: We’ll Walk You Through It!

The Must-Haves for Ensuring GPSR Compliance

Compliance with the GPSR is based on a series of requirements. As an Amazon seller, here are the essentials you’ll now need to meet the standards:

Safety Warnings and Information

Incorporating warnings and safety information is a core requirement of the GPSR. These details inform consumers of potential risks associated with product use and guide them for safe handling.

On Amazon, all this information is visible on the product detail page, below the images. The GPSR mandates that this information be provided clearly and accurately, in the language of the country where the product is sold, so users can understand the precautions they need to take.

The information must include:

• General warnings (e.g., electrical hazards, choking risks).

• Specific instructions (e.g., handling advice).

• Information on hazardous substances, if applicable.

• Age restrictions (e.g., “Not suitable for children under 3 years”).

These details must be integrated into specific documents, provided in PDF or image format, for each ASIN and every marketplace. Required documents include:

• Instruction manuals/user guides.

• Labels and warnings directly affixed to the packaging or product.

• Photos of the product and packaging displaying all safety information.

Identification of a Responsible Person

Each product must provide the contact details of a “responsible person” based in the EU, tasked with ensuring compliance with the safety standards imposed by the GPSR. This could be the manufacturer, importer, or brand owner.

Identification of the Manufacturer

The name and contact details of the manufacturer must be displayed on the product page and on the label of the product sold within the EU. This transparency is essential to enable authorities and consumers to clearly identify the product's origin and assign responsibility in case of issues.

Pro Tip: Avoid using a personal email address to minimize unwanted inquiries.

Best Practices for GPSR Compliance

Complying with the GPSR is not just a legal requirement; it’s also an opportunity to build consumer trust and boost your performance on Amazon.

As we’ve seen, the GPSR demands a range of documentation, and managing hundreds of product data points can be time-consuming. Here’s how to ensure regular and simplified updates to your listings:

• Centralize Your Documents

Organize all compliance-related information (manuals, certificates, photos) in a secure folder or cloud platform. By sorting and renaming your documents by ASIN (rather than SKU), you streamline quick access, regular updates, and the integration and submission of these documents—a critical advantage for large catalogs.

• Standardize Your Processes

Establish an internal procedure to validate the compliance of every product before it goes live. Automate this step, as non-compliant products cannot be activated without meeting the required standards!

• Anticipate Inspections

Ensure each ASIN is equipped with all necessary documents before it goes live to avoid the risk of deactivation down the line.

Conclusion

In short, the GPSR isn’t just a simple administrative formality—it’s a major transformation redefining the rules of e-commerce in Europe. Ignoring these requirements means risking product bans. However, tackling this challenge seriously offers an opportunity to build consumer trust and strengthen your position on a highly competitive marketplace like Amazon.

At Bizon, our mission is clear: to help you turn this obligation into a smooth, manageable process. We review your listings to identify gaps, assist in gathering and organizing everything you need to achieve compliance, and ensure your products are ready for success, even in a demanding regulatory environment.