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This article is intended as a practical guide based on our interpretation of the GPSR and is not legal advice. Sellers should review their obligations under the GPSR and consider consulting a legal professional to fully understand how the regulations apply to their individual circumstances. Sellers are ultimately responsible for the safety and compliance of their products.
We know that navigating the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is complex, and we’re committed to supporting you with resources, tools, and information as we learn more about the requirements. In this article, you’ll find an overview of the GPSR, the latest updates on steps Etsy is taking to simplify the process and make compliance easier for sellers, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
Overview of the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), which went into effect December 13, 2024, aims to ensure that products in the European Economic Area (EEA) (which includes all EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) and Northern Ireland (NI) are safe. It replaces the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) and applies to all non-food consumer products, including new, second-hand, repaired, reconditioned, and recycled items, as well as digital items.
Who GPSR applies to
The GPSR may apply to you if:
- You sell items to shoppers in EEA states and/or Northern Ireland OR manufacture, import, or distribute products made available to consumers in EEA states and/or Northern Ireland.
and
- You meet the definition of a “trader,” which may include businesses or professional sellers. Whether or not you are considered a “trader” under EU regulation is complex and we always recommend reaching out to a legal advisor for information tailored to your business.
The GPSR does not apply to products listed before December 13, 2024.
Our current interpretation is that the GPSR only applies to products placed on the market on or after December 13, 2024, and does not include pre-December 13 listings even if they are renewed. This means that no action is required for listings already available in EEA states and/or Northern Ireland before this date, as they are exempt from GPSR requirements, provided that they met prior safety requirements. This exemption also applies if these listings are renewed. More information can be found in the FAQs below. If your Etsy shop was not previously open to selling in EEA states and/or Northern Ireland before December 13, 2024 and you later open shipping to these regions, GPSR requirements will apply to all your listings, including those that were listed prior to December 13.
Since Etsy is unable to advise whether or not the GPSR applies to you, you may want to consult a legal professional with further questions. For a full list of items not regulated by the GPSR, you can review Article 2 of the GPSR.
Etsy updates as of April 2025
We’ve made important updates to support you as you navigate GPSR compliance. Here’s what’s new this month:
New listing field for product safety compliance
We’ve introduced a new product safety section in your listings to help meet GPSR requirements. This section is now accessible to all sellers on both web and mobile browsers.
The new fields include:
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Manufacturer information: In this section you should include any natural or legal person who manufactures a product or has a product manufactured under their name or trademark
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Add the name, email, and mailing address of the manufacturer.
- If the manufacturer isn’t in the EU, add the name, email address, and mailing address of the designated EU-based Responsible Person.
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You can provide this information in two ways, depending on your shop setup:
Option 1: Shop-Level Economic Operator
Use this if your shop has one EU-based Responsible Person that applies to your entire shop (e.g., you're a non-EU seller and manufacture your own items, all covered by the same RP).
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Go to Shop Manager > Settings > Partners you work with
- Add your Responsible Person in the economic operator section
Option 2: Listing-level manufacturer
Use this if you resell products made by others. In this case, you’ll add the info for each product in the listing itself.
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Use the open text field labeled Manufacturers and Product safety info
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Include:
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Manufacturer name, email, and address
- If applicable, Responsible Person name and address
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You only need to fill either the shop-level or the listing-level field to meet GPSR requirements.
- Product safety warnings: Include safety information relevant to your item, such as age restrictions, hazard warnings, disposal instructions, and other safety-related details that buyers need to know.
Authorized Representative resources
To assist you in finding a designated EU-based Responsible Person, we’ve partnered with third-party providers who offer GPSR compliance services:
We’ve provided these referrals to help you connect with trusted professionals who may be able to support your GPSR compliance. We encourage you to review their services and choose what’s best for your business needs.
Compliance and enforcement reminder
If a product is subject to the GPSR but does not meet the requirements, it may be classified as a “dangerous product” by EEA or NI authorities. This may result in enforcement actions, including fines, product bans, or the removal of your products from the marketplace.
Should Etsy receive notification from an authority that your product is non-compliant, we’ll take appropriate action, which may include removing your listing and/or suspending your account.
What this means for you:
The above information outlines Etsy’s current approach to GPSR implementation. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, we may adjust our approach. We’ll keep you informed with updates as they become available.
You can review a record of previous updates and progress below.
Key requirements
Responsible person
Products covered under the GPSR must have an EEA or NI-based “economic operator” as a “responsible person” in order to be placed on the EEA or NI market.
A responsible person can be one of the following, if based in an EEA state or NI:
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The manufacturer
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An importer, if the manufacturer is not established in the EEA or NI
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An authorized representative mandated by the manufacturer
- A fulfillment service provider if the manufacturer, importer, and authorized representative aren’t based in the EEA or NI
Etsy has obligations to ensure traders are able to provide this information. More information on economic operators can be found below and in Etsy’s Help Center article.
Listing information
Etsy’s responsibilities under the GPSR include enabling traders to provide the following information on their listings:
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The name, registered trade name or registered trade mark of the manufacturer, as well as the postal and electronic address at which they can be contacted
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Where the manufacturer is not established in the EEA or NI, the name, postal and electronic address of the responsible person
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Information allowing the identification of the product, including a picture of it, its type and any other product identifier
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Any warning or safety information to be affixed to the product or to the packaging or included in an accompanying document, in a language which can be easily understood by consumers
- Safety information as required by Union law. This could, for example, include instructions for safe use or safety risk warnings.
Information about how to update your listings can be found in Etsy’s Help Center article and more information can be found in the FAQs below.
FAQs
How do I know if I need an Authorized Representative?
Under the GPSR, products cannot be placed on the EU market unless they have an EU-based economic operator responsible for key safety tasks.
If you're a manufacturer based outside the EU, you may appoint an Authorized Representative to serve as the Responsible Person for your products in the EU.
How do I find an Authorized Representative?
Etsy has partnered with third-party providers—Cert-Rep and International Associates—who offer GPSR compliance services, including Authorized Representative support. You’re also welcome to find another service provider that fits your shop’s needs.
What type of product safety information do I need to include?
You should include any legally required safety details for your product type. This may include:
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Warnings for safe use
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Age restrictions
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Disposal instructions
- Any other relevant safety information
I don’t manufacture my own products—where can I find this safety information?
If you sell qualifying items that are designed by you but produced by someone else (as defined in Etsy’s Creativity Standards), safety information may be found on:
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The product itself
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Its packaging or labeling
- Accompanying documents You can also contact the product’s manufacturer directly for this information.
What does the Responsible Person need to do?
The Responsible Person plays a key role in GPSR compliance. Their responsibilities include:
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Ensuring products meet labeling and documentation requirements
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Cooperating with market surveillance authorities
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Taking corrective action when needed
- Notifying authorities about safety risks
What if I sell secondhand items and don’t have information about the manufacturer?
Our current interpretation is that the GPSR only applies to products placed on the market on or after December 13, 2024. Listings made available in EEA states and/or Northern Ireland before this date are exempt, even if renewed, as long as they met prior safety requirements.
If you’re unsure whether your secondhand item is compliant, you may want to consider opting out of sales to EU buyers as a precaution.
What happens if a listing is non-compliant with the GPSR? How can I remediate?
Products that don’t meet GPSR requirements may be classified as “dangerous products” by EEA or NI authorities. This can lead to:
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Fines
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Product bans
- Removal from the market
If Etsy is notified by authorities that your product is non-compliant, we’ll take appropriate action—which may include removing the listing and/or suspending your account.
Looking for more answers?
We’ve compiled additional guidance to help you navigate common GPSR questions. Check it out.
Updates and progress log
April 2025
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Product Safety fields launched: We created a new field for you to add product safety warnings and manufacturer/EU Responsible Person information to any relevant listings.
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Authorized Representative partnerships: Etsy has partnered with Cert-Rep and International Associates to help non-EU sellers appoint an Authorized Representative as their EU-based Responsible Person.
- Compliance reminder: Enforcement actions may apply to non-compliant products, including removal from Etsy and potential account suspension.
February 2025
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Opt-out setting launched: Sellers can now restrict sales to EEA/NI regions at the shop level for both physical and digital listings via Shop Manager.
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Compliance fields announced: Etsy announced upcoming new fields for manufacturer details and product safety warnings.
- Authorized Representative support in progress: Etsy began exploring partnerships with vetted service providers to assist with GPSR compliance.
December 2024
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Awaiting compliance guidelines for small and medium businesses and microenterprises.
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Planned rollout of opt-out shop setting in Shop Manager at the end of February 2025.
- Clarified that secondhand and vintage items placed on the market before December 13, 2024, are exempt if they comply with prior legislation.
Words by Etsy Staff
