Manufacturers of consumer products covered by the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 must carry out an internal risk analysis and prepare appropriate technical documentation. The GPSR applies from 13 December 2024. Although an independent third-party assessment is not mandatory for every product, manufacturers must ensure that their products are safe and comply with applicable EU requirements. Our GPSR Safety Assessment service helps businesses evaluate product risks and prepare supporting compliance documentation.

The GPSR applies to a wide range of non-food consumer products, including beauty accessories, personal care accessories, household items, home decorations, fashion accessories, candle accessories and DIY products. Products covered by specific EU legislation may also be subject to certain GPSR provisions where relevant risks or requirements are not addressed by that legislation. We review your product category to determine the applicable regulatory framework and appropriate safety assessment requirements.

No. The GPSR does not establish a universal mandatory GPSR certificate. Instead, manufacturers must ensure their products are safe and maintain appropriate technical documentation, including a product risk analysis. Our GPSR Safety Assessment service provides a structured evaluation of product safety and supporting documentation. The resulting assessment is not an official government-issued certificate or guarantee of regulatory approval.

Our GPSR Safety Assessment service includes a review of applicable regulatory requirements, identification and evaluation of potential product hazards, preparation of a product risk assessment, technical documentation support, and a review of relevant labelling and safety warnings. Where necessary, we also identify additional laboratory testing requirements and recommend corrective actions. The exact scope depends on the product and the documentation provided.

We generally require a detailed product description, product photographs, manufacturer information, material composition, product specifications, intended use and available safety documentation. Depending on the product, additional documents may include Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Certificates of Analysis (CoA), laboratory test reports, applicable standards, instructions for use and existing risk assessments. Our specialists review the submitted information and advise if additional documentation is required.

A GPSR product risk assessment identifies and evaluates potential hazards associated with a consumer product under normal and reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. Depending on the product, this may include physical, mechanical, chemical, electrical, thermal, flammability and hygiene-related hazards. The assessment also considers foreseeable misuse, vulnerable consumers and measures taken to eliminate or reduce identified risks. The results form an important part of the product's technical documentation.

A GPSR technical file includes a general product description, essential characteristics relevant to product safety, an analysis of possible risks and information about the measures adopted to eliminate or mitigate those risks. Where appropriate, it also contains applicable standards, product specifications, laboratory test reports, instructions, safety warnings and other supporting evidence. The documentation must be proportionate to the complexity of the product and its identified risks.

Not for every product. The GPSR does not require identical laboratory tests for all consumer products. Testing may be necessary to demonstrate product safety, particularly where potential hazards cannot be adequately evaluated through documentation alone. Certain product categories may also have mandatory testing or conformity assessment requirements under specific EU legislation. We review your product and recommend appropriate laboratory tests where necessary.

Yes, in some cases. Products belonging to the same product family with similar materials, construction, intended use and safety characteristics may be assessed together. However, variations that introduce additional hazards or affect product safety must be evaluated individually. We review your product range to determine whether several products can be covered within one assessment or require separate evaluations.

Yes. We can assist with GPSR Safety Assessments for products manufactured outside the European Union, including products imported from China, the United Kingdom, the United States and Turkey. The manufacturer or supplier must provide sufficient technical information, material specifications and supporting safety documentation. Importers must also fulfil their applicable obligations under EU product safety legislation before placing products on the EU market.

Products covered by the GPSR must have a responsible economic operator established in the European Union, in accordance with the applicable requirements. Depending on the circumstances, this may be an EU manufacturer, importer, authorised representative or fulfilment service provider. The responsible economic operator performs specified compliance-related tasks and must be identified through the required product or accompanying information. The appropriate arrangement depends on your supply chain and business activities.

No. The GPSR itself does not introduce a general CE marking requirement. CE marking is required only for products covered by specific EU legislation that mandates it, such as certain electrical equipment, toys and machinery. Products covered solely by the GPSR should not carry CE marking unless another applicable EU regulation or directive requires it. Our regulatory review helps identify whether CE marking or additional conformity assessment procedures apply to your product.

Yes. Consumer products offered for sale to customers in the EU must comply with applicable product safety legislation, regardless of whether they are sold through Amazon, Etsy, another online marketplace or your own webshop. Online product listings must also display certain product identification, manufacturer and responsible economic operator information, together with relevant warnings or safety information as required by the GPSR. Marketplaces may request supporting technical documentation or compliance evidence.

Under the GPSR, manufacturers must retain technical documentation for 10 years after the product has been placed on the market and make it available to market surveillance authorities upon request. Importers also have obligations concerning the availability of technical documentation. Additional record-retention requirements may apply under product-specific EU legislation. Maintaining complete and organised documentation is important for demonstrating continued compliance.

Changes to a product's materials, construction, components, intended use or other safety-related characteristics should be reviewed to determine whether the existing GPSR Safety Assessment remains valid. Significant modifications may introduce new hazards or change the level of risk. Depending on the modification, an updated risk assessment, additional laboratory testing or revised technical documentation may be required before the modified product is placed on the market.

The processing time depends on the complexity of the product, the completeness of the submitted documentation and whether additional information or laboratory testing is required. Products with complete technical documentation can generally be assessed more efficiently than products requiring extensive investigation or testing. We can provide an estimated processing time after reviewing your product information and determining the scope of the assessment.

Not necessarily. A GPSR Safety Assessment and supporting technical documentation are important parts of product safety compliance, but additional obligations may apply. These include product traceability, compliant labelling, appropriate safety instructions, responsible economic operator requirements and post-market safety responsibilities. Depending on the product, additional EU legislation, testing or conformity assessment procedures may also be required. Our service helps identify the relevant requirements and documentation needed to support compliance.

Yes. Certified Cosmetics provides regulatory support for consumer products, including GPSR Safety Assessments, technical documentation preparation, product labelling reviews and guidance on additional laboratory testing. Where further testing or compliance services are necessary, we can help identify the appropriate requirements and next steps. Our goal is to support manufacturers, importers and retailers in preparing their consumer products for the European market.