GPSR Regulations

[Gadget-UK]

Don't know if anyone here has heard of these new regulations that are due to start in December, but it's going to affect all of us in the UK that sell to the EU.

One important update is the requirement for all sellers to have a Responsible Person or representative based in the EU if you offer products for sale into the EU or Northern Ireland. If you’re a seller based in Northern Ireland that can be yourself – but if you’re a seller based outside the EU or Northern Ireland, you have to appoint an Authorised Representative located in the EU/NI to be that responsible person. This person acts as a compliance contact and ensures your products meet EU requirements.
So under these new regulations selling into the EU / Northern Ireland is a total no go unless you can follow the new rules
Unless you employ someone to act on your behalf in said country.

Lets just make life that bit harder than it already is then

You can find more information here but its all a bit sketchy at the moment with some very ambiguous terminology

GPSR Regulations

 

[ValleyBoy]

Thanks for this Colin.

I’ve been looking into this a little. I think we can all agree that it’s nice to have another thing to worry about .

The first thing I’d say is it’s surprising how little this has been covered in the media. I’m sure there are lots of vendors outside the EU/NI who are blissfully unaware of this change. Especially the Authorised Representative (AR) requirement.

The other thing is, as you mention, just how vague the information is. It has the feeling of something that was set around a deadline which they are obliged to meet but they haven’t quite finished working out the details yet, but they’re still ploughing ahead.

Anyway I have gleaned that it doesn’t seem to apply to all products and I did find this article which, whilst not explicitly stating products that require an AR, does refer to existing regulations that do require an AR, which include a list of corresponding product categories. To my mind this doesn’t include pens/stationary but I may be wrong. I have seen other lists that say Art Materials are included.

Anyway no doubt things will flesh out a little over time but for now I’ve ceased all sales to the EU, NI and probably the EEA too (although this is countries don’t seem to have explicitly stated their position yet but they do tend to adopt EU regulations typically).

Cheers
Ash

European Union Authorised Representatives: A Complete Guide

An essential guide to EU AR requirements for Amazon sellers and cross-border e-commerce companies selling B2C to consumers in the EU.

www.compliancegate.com

 

[Bammer]

Talk about being stitched up.
I wonder how potential customers in the EU feel about this.

I found this that specifically mentions pens

https://www.authorisedrepcompliance.co.uk/a-guide-to-the-general-product-safety-regulations-2024/

 

[howsitwork?]

Talk about being stitched up.
I wonder how potential customers in the EU feel about this.

I found this that specifically mentions pens

https://www.authorisedrepcompliance.co.uk/a-guide-to-the-general-product-safety-regulations-2024/

Ooh and all those lethal Frisbees out there, unlicensed and unregulated currently!

How have EU citizens survived for so long

It’s incredible . I see the value for certain items needing to be fireproof, not electrical hazards etc but pens ???

 

[Curly]

......... I see the value for certain items needing to be fireproof, not electrical hazards etc but pens ???

The pen is mightier than the sword. The certainly don't want a mob outside the castle with pens!!!!


Pete

 

[howsitwork?]

The pen is mightier than the sword. The certainly don't want a mob outside the castle with pens!!!!


Pete

If I may quote Python

” your mother smelt of elderberries “ and “I fart in your general direction “

maybe that’s what they’re afraid of the effects on global warming of methane and the CO2 expended using an UNREGULATED PEN

 

[Curly]

Not to mention the poison pen. Another security worry in the EU.

Pete

 

[mChavez]

The list of products from Ash's link made sense and I have blissfully ignored it, but the link from Bammer looks like a 1st April joke gone wrong.

"Thanksgiving centerpieces" - because they don't want unregulated goods to corrupt the centuries-old tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving in Europe?
"Valentine’s Day hearts" - you also need to be in full compliance with Directive 2004/23/EC.
The EU Tissue Directive —Directive 2004/23/EC— sets standards of quality and safety for the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution (including import and export in/out of the EU) of human tissues and cells intended for human application.

On a serious note, this appears to have gone completely under the radar, which is surprising.

 

[Chriscb]

Afternoon,
Has anyone actually found a comprehensive and accurate list of products covered by the new GPSR regs? I've read the list that Bammer linked to but it strikes me as being so broad it's virtually useless. Uk.gov site isn't much help either. The fees a Responsible Person can levy seems to have no limits - €1800 annual fee or €220 per hour! Very frustrating.

Regards,
Chriscb