EU Responsible Person under the GPSR: Roles and Compliance Requirements
An EU Responsible Person under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 is the EU-based contact (legally termed responsible economic operator) who ensures product compliance and serves as the primary point of contact for EU market surveillance authorities. This role is now mandatory for most consumer products sold in the EU, including clothing, furniture, electronics, toys, sports equipment, and home goods. This guide explains the GPSR obligations, when you need an EU Responsible Person, how this role differs from an EU Authorised Representative, and how EaseCert can act as your Responsible Person with a one-time fee and fast turnaround.
What is an EU Responsible Person under the GPSR?
The GPSR requires that every product has an identifiable economic operator established in the EU. This can be the manufacturer (if based in the EU), the importer, an authorised representative, or a fulfilment service provider. In practice, many non-EU manufacturers appoint a dedicated EU Responsible Person to handle GPSR compliance tasks. The European Commission’s Blue Guide details how these roles interact and the legal responsibilities involved.
When do you need an EU Responsible Person?
- Non-EU manufacturers: If you sell consumer products in the EU without having an EU legal entity, you must appoint an EU-based responsible economic operator to meet GPSR Article 16 obligations.
- Marketplace sellers: Platforms such as Amazon EU require seller accounts to list the details of a responsible economic operator on product packaging, in line with GPSR rules. See our EU Safety Gate registration guide for more on marketplace obligations.
Key responsibilities under the GPSR
- Safety and documentation: Maintain a complete technical file and risk assessment for each product type, available to authorities upon request.
- Market surveillance liaison: Act as the direct contact for authorities, coordinate product recalls and safety notices, and respond to EU Safety Gate alerts.
- Labelling compliance: Verify that product and packaging labels meet the GPSR labelling requirements, including contact details of the responsible operator.
- Traceability: Ensure supply chain traceability information is retained for the period required under the GPSR, to support investigations and recalls.
Who can act as the EU Responsible Person?
This role may be filled by the EU-based manufacturer, the importer, an authorised representative, or a specialist compliance provider like EaseCert. Choosing a dedicated Responsible Person ensures proactive compliance monitoring and faster response times during inspections.
Consequences of not having an EU Responsible Person
- Blocked market access at EU customs or by market surveillance authorities.
- Product withdrawals and recalls, with details potentially published in the EU Safety Gate database.
- Fines and reputational damage from non-compliance findings.
How EaseCert helps
EaseCert offers one-time GPSR compliance services with no subscriptions. We can act as your EU Responsible Person, handling:
- Technical file creation and documentation management
- Labelling review and correction
- EU Safety Gate registration and incident handling
- Ongoing liaison with EU market surveillance authorities
We typically complete GPSR certification within 3–5 business days after receiving all required documentation. Book a free consultation or contact our team to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the GPSR require a Responsible Person?
Yes. GPSR Article 16 requires that every product has an EU-based responsible economic operator. Many businesses refer to this role as the “EU Responsible Person.” See the full text of the GPSR.
What does the Responsible Person do?
They maintain technical documentation, ensure correct labelling, serve as the main contact for authorities, and coordinate recalls or safety notices. See our EU Responsible Person service page for details.
Is the Responsible Person the same as an authorised representative?
No. An authorised representative is appointed to perform specific legal tasks on behalf of a non-EU manufacturer, while a Responsible Person under the GPSR is the designated EU contact for compliance and safety issues. Sometimes the same organisation performs both roles.
What happens if I don’t appoint one?
Your products may be blocked at customs, removed from sale, or subject to recall. You could also face financial penalties and appear in Safety Gate alerts.
How quickly can EaseCert set this up?
We usually complete the Responsible Person appointment and related GPSR compliance steps within 3–5 business days once all documentation is received. Schedule your free consultation to start.
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