Understanding EU GPSR Label Symbols for Consumer Products

When exporting consumer products into the European Union, proper labeling and marking are not just good practice, they’re a legal requirement. Since the implementation of the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) on December 13, 2024, the burden on manufacturers and importers to label products clearly and correctly has increased. This includes not only written information but also internationally recognized symbols to convey safety, usage, environmental, and compliance information.

The European Commission requires specific symbols and markings for various product categories, and failure to comply may result in customs holds, product recalls, fines, or rejection from the EU market.

EaseCert supports businesses in meeting these labeling requirements through structured guidance, ready-to-use templates, and dedicated EU Responsible Person services.

Key Labeling and Marking Requirements in the EU (GPSR-Aligned)

Labeling requirements in the EU can be product-specific, language-specific, and regulated by both EU and Member State laws. For most consumer goods, the following elements are mandatory:

1. Identification of the Product and Traceability

• Trade name or product name
• Type, batch, model, or serial number
• Reference to technical documentation
• Country of origin

2. Manufacturer and Importer Information

• Legal name and full postal address of the manufacturer
• If the manufacturer is located outside the EU, importer information must also appear
• GPSR additionally requires contact information, such as a phone number or email address

3. Language Requirements

• All mandatory information must be in the official language(s) of the destination country
• Multilingual labeling is recommended if selling in multiple markets

4. Safety and Use Instructions

• Where necessary, safety instructions, age restrictions, and hazard warnings must be visible and understandable
• Symbols must complement text and be consistent with applicable EU standards

 

Core Label Symbols for Consumer Products

EaseCert helps clients apply the right symbols for the right product category. Below are the most commonly required or recommended symbols for general consumer goods sold in the EU:

1. Manufacturer Symbol

Symbol: A simplified factory/building icon, often standardized as per ISO 15223-1

Meaning: Identifies the legal manufacturer of the product.

Required Information:

• Full legal name of the manufacturer
• Full postal address (including country)
• Contact information (telephone, website, email)
  
  
  

2. EU Responsible Person Symbol

Meaning: Identifies the in-EU contact for regulatory enforcement.

Required by: GPSR Articles 16 & 17.

What’s included: Name, postal address, and phone/email.

Symbol use: Recommended but not standardized: The Medical Device Regulation's "EC REP" symbol.

3. Batch Code / LOT Number

Purpose: Enables product traceability in recalls or investigations.

Format: Often appears as “LOT: XXXXXXX” or “Batch No: ######”.

Mandatory under: GPSR Article 13 for all consumer goods.

4. Mobius Loop (Recycling Symbol)

Meaning: Indicates that packaging is recyclable.

Recommended for: All packaging subject to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC).

5. Resin Identification Codes (Plastic Recycling Symbols)

Purpose: These codes help sort plastic packaging during recycling. They are not mandatory under GPSR but widely used across the EU to support environmental compliance:

Where to use: Place these codes in a triangle on packaging material to support sorting and recycling infrastructure in the EU.

Code	Symbol	Material Example	Common Use Cases
1	PET	Polyethylene Terephthalate	Beverage bottles, food containers
2	HDPE	High-Density Polyethylene	Milk jugs, detergent bottles
3	PVC	Polyvinyl Chloride	Pipes, blister packaging
4	LDPE	Low-Density Polyethylene	Plastic bags, squeezable bottles
5	PP	Polypropylene	Yogurt containers, caps, straws
6	PS	Polystyrene	Disposable plates, foam cups
7	Other	Mixed plastics	Multi-layer packaging, bioplastics

6. CE Marking

Where required: Electronics, toys, PPE, measuring devices, and more.

Regulatory reference: Not GPSR-specific, but required alongside it for regulated goods.

Where to place: On the product; not just packaging or instructions.

Meaning: The product complies with applicable EU directives (e.g. EMC, LVD, RoHS, Toy Safety).

7. WEEE Symbol (Crossed-out Wheelie Bin)

Meaning: Electrical/electronic equipment must not be disposed of as general waste.

Required for: Products under the WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU.

Additional note: The black bar underneath the bin indicates placement on the market after August 13, 2005. Importers must register their company with the authorities in charge of WEEE management in each EU country where they sell their products.

8. Refer to Instruction Manual

Meaning: Product comes with an instruction leaflet containing required safety or regulatory info.

Recommended for: Items too small to include full warnings on-pack.

Symbol: Booklet with “i” or exclamation point.

9. Use-by or Expiry Date

Required for: Perishable, degradable, or time-limited items. 

GPSR Implication: Ensures safety over the lifecycle of the product.

Symbol: Hourglass or calendar icon.

10. Period After Opening (PAO) Symbol

Use case: Indicates safety duration post-opening (e.g. 12M = 12 months).

Common for: Cosmetics, pastes, adhesives.

Symbol: Open jar icon with “6M,” “12M,” etc.

11. Do Not Reuse

Meaning: The product must not be reused, as doing so could compromise safety, hygiene, or performance.

Relevance: For single-use household goods, adhesives, filters, etc. 

Safety justification: Prevents microbial, mechanical, or chemical risk after one use. Often aligns with ISO 15223-1 and EU MDR/IVDR for medical devices, but is also appropriate in consumer contexts for single-use safety and GPSR labeling, especially where hygiene or material integrity is a concern.

Symbol: A “2”, representing reuse or a second cycle, is crossed out within a circle.

12. Temperature Limitations

Meaning: The product must be stored or used within a defined range.

Required for: Products that degrade or pose risks outside of defined temperature ranges.

Symbol: Thermometer symbol, often with min/max temperature values.

13. Keep Away from Children

Meaning: Indicates risk if children use or access the product.

Common on: Small parts, chemicals, home tools, or sharp objects.

Symbol: A child face or child hand icon with a cross through it.

14. Care Instructions & Laundry Symbols

Purpose: Communicate how to properly wash, dry, iron, and clean textile or washable products to preserve quality and prevent damage.

Where Required: Mandatory for clothing, home textiles, and washable soft goods. Strongly recommended for any product that may be laundered or exposed to moisture during use.

Standard Symbols: Follow ISO 3758: Textiles Care labelling code using symbols. These symbols are widely recognized and accepted across EU markets.

Placement: Typically included on sewn-in labels for garments, or on printed inserts/packaging for washable items. The symbols should be accompanied by brief written text if space allows, and translated into the official language(s) of the EU Member State where sold.

Legal Notes: While GPSR does not regulate garment care directly, consumer safety and product longevity fall under the scope of general safety and usage clarity. In some Member States, care labeling is also regulated at the national level.

GPSR and Customs: Why Label Symbols Matter

One of the top reasons for delays or denials at EU customs is incomplete or incorrect labeling. Products entering the EU must comply not only with customs documentation but also with in-package and on-product labeling rules, including:

• Proper EU language use
• Correct marking (e.g., CE, WEEE)
• Traceability and contact info
• Compliance declarations

Label symbols are the most visible sign of conformity. If symbols are missing, unclear, or inconsistent with product use, your goods can be rejected at the border.

 

How EaseCert Supports Your EU Labeling Compliance

Our services include:

• Label Review & Symbol Guidance: We analyze your artwork, packaging, and digital materials for compliance.
• EU Responsible Person Services: We act as your contact point for regulatory compliance in the EU.
• Label Templates & Risk-Based Symbol Recommendations: Based on product type and market destination.
• Product Registration (Safety Gate): Required for online sellers under GPSR Article 18.

 

Conclusion

Label symbols aren’t just decoration, they’re compliance tools. Using them correctly reduces legal risk, improves customs clearance, and increases consumer trust. Whether you sell electronics, toys, cosmetics, kitchenware, or household tools, GPSR compliance starts with your label.

At EaseCert, we help importers and manufacturers prepare for these requirements, from labelling reviews to acting as your EU Responsible Person. For reference, download our EaseCert Product Label Template. We ensure your documentation is in order, so your products clear customs without surprises.

Label Template:

Learn More About GPSR:

• EU Product Safety and GPSR Overview
• General Product Safety Regulation (2023) – EU Summary
• EU Safety Gate – RAPEX Alerts for Dangerous Products