GPSR Compliance for Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify Sellers
Selling products into the European Union has changed significantly under the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Regulation (EU) 2023/988. Since December 2024, the GPSR applies directly across the EU and introduces stricter obligations for online sellers, importers, marketplaces, manufacturers, and fulfilment providers.
Many small businesses still believe GPSR only applies to large brands or manufacturers. That is incorrect. If you sell consumer products to EU customers through Amazon, Etsy, Shopify, TikTok Shop, eBay, or your own website, the regulation may apply to you.
This includes:
- Amazon FBA sellers
- Etsy handmade businesses
- Shopify stores
- Dropshipping businesses
- Private label brands
- Importers
- Small online boutiques
- International sellers shipping into the EU
- UK, US, Chinese, Australian, and Canadian businesses selling to EU consumers
The regulation is designed to ensure that all consumer products placed on the EU market are safe and traceable. It also gives EU authorities stronger enforcement powers against unsafe or undocumented products.
What Is the GPSR?
The GPSR replaces the old General Product Safety Directive and modernizes EU product safety law for e-commerce and online marketplaces.
The regulation applies to nearly all non-food consumer products sold in the EU unless more specific sector legislation already exists.
Examples include:
- Clothing and textiles
- Jewelry and accessories
- Home décor
- Furniture
- Handmade goods
- Pet products
- Consumer electronics
- Lifestyle products
- Toys
- Sports products
- Candles and aromatherapy items
- Kitchenware
- Beauty accessories
- Bags and wallets
The core principle is simple:
Every consumer product sold into the EU must be safe.
Do Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify Sellers Need GPSR Compliance?
Yes.
The GPSR applies regardless of whether you sell through:
- Amazon
- Etsy
- Shopify
- eBay
- Walmart Marketplace
- TikTok Shop
- Your own website
Online marketplaces themselves also have obligations under the GPSR, but this does not remove the seller’s responsibilities.
Marketplaces increasingly request:
- EU Responsible Person details
- safety documentation
- traceability information
- declarations of conformity
- product warnings
- manufacturer identification
Many sellers first discover GPSR after:
- listing removals
- account warnings
- blocked shipments
- customs delays
- customer complaints
- requests from Amazon compliance teams
For more information, see Amazon EU Sales: What GPSR Compliance Means for You.
Who Is Legally Responsible Under GPSR?
Responsibility depends on your business structure and where your company is located.
EU-Based Sellers
If your business is established inside the EU, you are generally considered the responsible economic operator.
Non-EU Sellers
If your company is outside the EU, you usually need an EU-based responsible economic operator connected to the product.
This may be:
- the importer
- an EU Responsible Person
- an EU Authorised Representative (where sector legislation applies)
- in some situations, a fulfilment service provider
Under Article 16 GPSR, products generally cannot legally enter the EU market without an EU-based responsible economic operator.
Read more about this topic here: Why You Need a GPSR Responsible Person to Sell in the EU.
What Is an EU Responsible Person?
An EU Responsible Person is an EU-based entity that acts as the contact point for EU market surveillance authorities.
The Responsible Person typically:
- stores compliance documentation
- cooperates with authorities
- supports product traceability
- assists with corrective actions or recalls
- verifies that required documentation exists
The Responsible Person’s details usually appear on:
- the product
- packaging
- parcel
- accompanying documentation
What Documents Are Required?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that GPSR only requires a label.
In reality, the regulation focuses heavily on documentation and traceability.
Typical compliance documentation may include:
Technical File
A Technical File usually contains:
- product description
- product photos
- bill of materials
- supplier information
- applicable regulations
- risk assessment
- test reports
- traceability details
- warning labels
- compliance declarations
Additional guidance is available in the GPSR Technical File Documentation Guide and EU GPSR Technical File and Product Compliance Guide.
Risk Assessment
The GPSR requires businesses to evaluate product risks.
This may include:
- choking hazards
- chemical risks
- flammability
- sharp edges
- electrical hazards
- suffocation risks
- strangulation risks
- misuse scenarios
- vulnerable consumer groups
Learn more about the GPSR Risk Analysis Process.
Test Reports
Depending on the product category, sellers may need:
- EN 71 testing
- REACH testing
- RoHS testing
- EMC/LVD testing
- textile composition testing
- flammability testing
- food contact testing
- battery testing
Authorities increasingly expect reports from ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories.
For chemical compliance requirements, see Chemical Testing for EU Compliance: REACH, RoHS and POPs Explained.
Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
Many products require formal declarations confirming compliance with applicable EU legislation.
Supplier Documentation
This often includes:
- SDS/MSDS
- material declarations
- supplier declarations
- factory information
- existing certifications
See also: What Is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
What If Your Supplier Has No Test Reports or SDS?
This is extremely common among:
- Alibaba suppliers
- dropshipping suppliers
- small manufacturers
- handmade product producers
However, lack of documentation creates major compliance risk.
If authorities request documentation and you cannot provide it, consequences may include:
- listing removals
- customs holds
- product recalls
- fines
- destruction of goods
- mandatory withdrawals
- increased liability exposure
Many sellers incorrectly assume:
“My supplier says the product is safe.”
That is not sufficient under GPSR.
You must be able to demonstrate compliance with documentation.
Related reading:
- What Happens If You Don’t Comply with GPSR
- GPSR Penalties: Avoid Fines & Manage Recalls
- EU Product Liability Directive 2024/2853
What Labeling Is Required?
Labeling obligations depend on the product category, but GPSR generally requires:
- product identification
- manufacturer details
- traceability information
- batch or model number
- safety warnings
- instructions where relevant
- EU Responsible Person details for non-EU products
The information must usually be:
- clear
- visible
- legible
- durable
Warnings must also appear in the correct languages for the countries where the product is sold.
For example:
- Germany requires German
- France requires French
- Spain generally requires Spanish
- Italy requires Italian
Further guidance:
Do Handmade Products Require GPSR Compliance?
Yes.
This surprises many Etsy sellers and small handmade businesses.
GPSR can apply to:
- handmade jewelry
- candles
- crochet products
- knitted items
- resin crafts
- laser-cut items
- pet accessories
- children’s accessories
- decorative products
Being handmade does not remove product safety obligations.
In fact, handmade products often face increased scrutiny because:
- materials vary
- documentation is limited
- traceability is weak
- suppliers may not provide compliance evidence
Do Digital Products Require GPSR Compliance?
Purely digital products generally fall outside standard GPSR product obligations because they are not physical consumer products.
However, there are important exceptions.
For example:
- downloadable sewing patterns
- crochet instructions
- DIY assembly guides
- products connected to physical consumer goods
may still create indirect product safety considerations.
Businesses selling digital instructions for physical products should still consider:
- safety guidance
- age grading
- warnings
- intended use
- foreseeable misuse
What Happens During EU Market Surveillance?
EU market surveillance authorities now have stronger enforcement powers under the GPSR.
Authorities may:
- request Technical Files
- inspect labels
- request test reports
- order product withdrawals
- coordinate recalls
- contact marketplaces directly
- require corrective actions
Online marketplaces may also suspend or remove listings if compliance information is incomplete.
The Safety Gate system allows dangerous product alerts to circulate rapidly across EU member states.
Additional resources:
- EU Safety Gate Registration
- EU Safety Gate Report
- How to Handle a Product Recall Under GPSR
- New EU Product Recall Requirements Under GPSR
Do Sellers Need Safety Gate Registration?
This depends on the business model and marketplace structure.
However, many online sellers increasingly choose voluntary registration and structured compliance management because:
- it improves authority communication
- it strengthens traceability
- it supports marketplace onboarding
- it demonstrates proactive compliance management
Can Multiple Variants Be Grouped Into One Certification?
Often yes, but only under certain conditions.
Products may sometimes be grouped when they share:
- the same materials
- the same supplier
- the same manufacturing process
- the same function
- the same risk profile
Color or size changes alone usually do not create a completely new product type.
However:
- different factories
- different material compositions
- different suppliers
- different functions
often require separate compliance evaluation.
This is particularly important for:
- private label brands
- dropshipping portfolios
- Amazon catalog expansions
- Etsy product collections
Common GPSR Mistakes Online Sellers Make
Assuming Amazon Handles Compliance
Amazon may request documentation, but the seller remains legally responsible for product safety.
Using Supplier Claims Without Evidence
Statements like “CE certified” or “EU compliant” are meaningless without supporting documents.
Missing Traceability Information
Products without batch numbers or manufacturer identification create major enforcement risk.
No Risk Assessment
A product without a documented risk assessment is difficult to defend during inspections.
Incorrect Language Warnings
Warnings must usually appear in the language of the destination market.
No EU Responsible Person
Many non-EU sellers overlook this requirement entirely.
How Sellers Can Prepare for GPSR Compliance
A practical compliance workflow usually includes:
- Identify applicable regulations
- Collect supplier documentation
- Obtain required test reports
- Prepare a risk assessment
- Create the Technical File
- Review labels and warnings
- Appoint an EU Responsible Person if needed
- Maintain traceability records
- Keep documentation updated
- Prepare for possible authority requests
Businesses preparing to enter the EU market may also find this useful: Checklist: Launching a New Product in the EU.
Final Thoughts
The GPSR has fundamentally changed product compliance expectations for online sellers entering the EU market.
Small businesses are no longer invisible to regulators simply because they sell through marketplaces or operate online-only stores.
The good news is that compliance is manageable when approached correctly and early.
Businesses that invest in:
- proper documentation
- traceability
- supplier verification
- labeling
- risk assessment
are significantly better positioned for long-term EU market access.
For many sellers, the biggest risk is not the product itself. The biggest risk is the absence of documentation when authorities or marketplaces request proof of compliance.
Explore additional compliance resources here: GPSR Compliance: Ensuring Product Safety & Market Access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Amazon sellers need GPSR compliance?
Yes. Amazon sellers placing consumer products on the EU market must comply with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). Amazon may request Technical Files, test reports, labeling information, traceability data, and EU Responsible Person details.
Does GPSR apply to Etsy handmade sellers?
Yes. Handmade products are not exempt from GPSR requirements. Etsy sellers offering products such as jewelry, candles, crochet products, resin crafts, pet accessories, or children’s items may still need product safety documentation and compliant labeling.
Do Shopify stores need an EU Responsible Person?
If the seller is located outside the European Union and sells consumer products into the EU, an EU-based Responsible Person is often required under GPSR.
What documents are required for GPSR compliance?
Typical GPSR documentation may include a Technical File, risk assessment, supplier declarations, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), laboratory test reports, product labeling information, and declarations of conformity.
What happens if my supplier has no test reports?
This creates significant compliance risk. EU authorities or marketplaces may request documentation at any time. Without supporting compliance evidence, sellers may face listing removals, customs holds, recalls, or enforcement actions.
Can multiple product variants be grouped into one GPSR certification?
Often yes, if the products share the same materials, supplier, manufacturing process, function, and risk profile. Different suppliers or material compositions may require separate evaluations.
Does GPSR apply to dropshipping businesses?
Yes. Dropshipping does not remove product safety obligations. Sellers remain responsible for ensuring products placed on the EU market comply with GPSR requirements.
Do I need product testing for GPSR compliance?
It depends on the product category and associated risks. Many products require supporting laboratory testing, especially for chemical safety, toys, electronics, textiles, batteries, or food-contact materials.
What labeling is required under GPSR?
Products generally require manufacturer identification, traceability information, product identification, safety warnings, and EU Responsible Person details where applicable. Warnings must usually appear in the language of the destination market.
What is the EU Safety Gate system?
Safety Gate is the EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products. It allows authorities across EU member states to exchange information about unsafe products and coordinate recalls or enforcement actions.
Can EU authorities request my Technical File?
Yes. Market surveillance authorities may request Technical Files, test reports, risk assessments, and traceability documentation to verify compliance with GPSR.
Does GPSR apply to digital products?
Purely digital products generally fall outside standard GPSR obligations because they are not physical consumer products. However, downloadable instructions or patterns connected to physical products may still create indirect safety considerations.
What happens if I do not comply with GPSR?
Non-compliance may lead to marketplace listing removals, product recalls, customs delays, fines, mandatory withdrawals, or increased liability exposure under EU product safety laws.
Where can I learn more about GPSR compliance?
You can explore additional guidance here: