GPSR — What the General Product Safety Regulation Means for Makers

What is the GPSR?

The General Product Safety Regulation (EU 2023/988) is an EU regulation that sets out safety requirements for all non-food consumer products sold in the EU and Northern Ireland. It replaced the older General Product Safety Directive and introduced several new requirements.

The key changes include:

• Stronger traceability requirements — products must carry the manufacturer's name, postal address, and a way to identify the product (e.g. a batch number).
• A requirement for an EU-based "economic operator" (authorised representative) for products sold by businesses outside the EU.
• Enhanced rules for products sold online, including requirements for marketplace platforms.
• New obligations around product recalls and safety alerts.

Does it apply to UK craft sellers?

This is the key question, and the answer depends on where you sell:

If you only sell within Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales):

• The EU GPSR does not apply to you.
• You are governed by the UK's own General Product Safety Regulations 2005, which remain in force.
• Nothing has changed for you.

If you sell to customers in the EU or Northern Ireland:

• The EU GPSR applies to those sales.
• You must appoint an EU-based authorised representative who takes responsibility for compliance, traceability, and communicating with EU authorities.
• This is a significant cost and administrative burden for small makers.

If you sell on platforms like Etsy or Folksy:

• These platforms serve EU customers. If your listings are visible to and purchasable by EU buyers, you may be within scope of the GPSR — even if you did not intend to sell internationally.
• Some platforms have introduced their own GPSR compliance requirements. Check your platform's seller guidance.

The authorised representative requirement

The most impactful change for UK sellers is the requirement to appoint an authorised representative based in the EU or Northern Ireland if you sell into those markets.

The authorised representative must:

• Be established in the EU or Northern Ireland.
• Keep compliance documentation and make it available to authorities on request.
• Cooperate with market surveillance authorities.
• Inform the manufacturer (you) if there are compliance issues.

For small craft sellers, this creates a real barrier. The options are:

• Appoint a commercial authorised representative service — these exist but cost money and add administrative complexity.
• Find a business partner or contact in the EU/NI who is willing to act as your representative.
• Stop selling to EU/NI customers — which is what many small UK makers have chosen to do.

There is no requirement to have an authorised representative for sales within Great Britain.

UK product safety rules — what actually applies to you

If you sell within Great Britain, the relevant legislation is the UK General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (which transposed the original EU directive into UK law before Brexit).

Under these regulations:

• All consumer products must be safe. A product is considered safe if it does not present a risk (or only a minimum risk) under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.
• Products must carry the manufacturer's name and address.
• Products should be traceable — a batch number or product reference is good practice.
• If you become aware that a product you have sold is unsafe, you have a duty to notify the authorities and take appropriate action (e.g. recall).

For most craft sellers at UK fairs, you are already complying with these rules if you:

• Make safe, well-made products.
• Put your name and address (or business name and address) on the product or packaging.
• Use batch numbers or production dates so you can trace products if needed.
• Would act responsibly if a safety issue came to light.

Exemptions and special cases

A few points of clarification for craft makers:

• Antiques are exempt from the EU GPSR. However, modern handmade craft products are generally not exempt — even if they are described as "artisan" or "traditional."
• Products already placed on the EU or NI market before 13 December 2024 are not retrospectively covered by the new regulation, provided they complied with the rules in place at the time.
• Product-specific regulations (such as cosmetics, toys, or electrical equipment) take precedence over the general product safety rules. If your product is covered by specific sector regulations, those are your primary compliance framework.

What to do now

For UK craft sellers at craft fairs:

• If you only sell in Great Britain — continue as you are. Make sure your products are safe, labelled with your name and address, and traceable. The EU GPSR does not affect you.
• If you sell online to EU or NI customers — review your platform's GPSR guidance and decide whether to appoint an authorised representative or restrict your sales to Great Britain only.
• If you are unsure whether your online sales reach the EU — check your platform settings. Etsy, Folksy, and other marketplaces usually allow you to restrict shipping destinations.

The Crafts Council and Heritage Crafts have both published guidance acknowledging the confusion around GPSR for craft makers. Their resources are worth reading if you sell across borders.