Why You Need a GPSR Responsible Person to Sell in the EU
If you’re a non-EU manufacturer, brand owner, or online seller targeting the European Union, the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR) now requires you to designate a GPSR Responsible Person. Without this appointed legal entity within the EU, your consumer products may be blocked at customs, removed from marketplaces, or subject to enforcement action by national authorities.
This article explains the role of the Responsible Person, who needs one, and how to ensure your business is compliant, with full support from EaseCert’s Responsible Person service.
What Is a GPSR Responsible Person?
A GPSR Responsible Person is your legally mandated representative within the European Union under Article 16 of the General Product Safety Regulation. Their core responsibility is to verify and hold your product’s compliance documentation, and to act as the liaison between your company and EU market surveillance authorities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Creating your GPSR risk assessment and technical documentation
- Confirming labeling and traceability obligations are fulfilled
- Serving as the contact point printed on your product or packaging
- Storing compliance files for up to 10 years
- Cooperating with authorities on corrective actions or Safety Gate notifications
Who Must Appoint a Responsible Person?
The GPSR mandates that non-EU manufacturers of consumer products appoint a Responsible Person before placing products on the EU market. This includes:
- Private-label brands
- Etsy, Amazon, and Shopify sellers
- Global manufacturers exporting to EU distributors
- Dropshipping businesses sending goods directly to EU customers
If you don’t have a Responsible Person listed on your product or documentation, your goods are not considered compliant, regardless of actual product safety. The EU Commission’s product safety portal confirms that this contact point must be on packaging, user instructions, or the product itself.
For an overview of what else is required, review our guide to the GPSR’s core requirements.
What Exactly Does the Responsible Person Do?
Your appointed Responsible Person under the GPSR is legally required to:
- Hold and review your GPSR risk analysis
- Ensure a proper Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is in place
- Confirm product labeling is correct and includes EU contact details and traceability codes
- Act as your point of contact in the EU for consumer safety incidents and regulatory inquiries
- Submit Safety Gate notifications if the product poses a serious risk
- Store the entire technical file and Bill of Materials (BOM) and provide it to authorities on request
What Happens If You Don’t Appoint a Responsible Person?
If no Responsible Person is identified:
- EU customs may detain or reject the shipment
- Marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon may delist the product
- You risk enforcement action under the GPSR legal framework
- Products may be flagged on the EU Safety Gate portal
This requirement applies even to microbrands and solo sellers. See our guidance for Etsy Sellers, Amazon Sellers, and Shopify Sellers.
EaseCert's Responsible Person Service: What’s Included?
With EaseCert’s Responsible Person service, your business receives:
- An EU address and contact point for product labeling
- Full GPSR Certification including risk assessment and documentation verification
- Review and storage of your technical file
- Optional Safety Gate registration support
- Fast response to market authorities
- Discounted grouped product certification for multi-SKU brands
EaseCert supports companies from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and beyond, and we’re specialists in scalable compliance solutions for e-commerce and consumer product sellers.
Final Steps: How to Appoint Your Responsible Person Today
If you're planning to sell in the EU, make sure you're compliant before shipment. Here's what we do for you when you book one of our GPSR certifications:
- We'll review your documentation using our GPSR checklist
- We create your risk analysis and other documentation
- You will receive our Responsible Person service from our Germany office
- We'll update your packaging and labeling to make it EU-compliant
- If applicable, we will complete your EU Safety Gate registration
We’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
Conclusion
The GPSR Responsible Person is not just a regulatory formality, it’s a legal obligation for every non-EU manufacturer placing consumer goods on the EU market. EaseCert offers you a streamlined, professional solution backed by expert guidance and transparent pricing.
Contact us today or book your GPSR certification online to ensure your products are compliant, traceable, and ready for EU success.