Navigating new regulations can be challenging, so we’ve compiled answers to frequently asked questions about how the GPSR may affect you as a seller on Etsy. This resource is designed to help you better understand your potential obligations and next steps under the GPSR.
These FAQs are based on our interpretation of the GPSR and are 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.
Contents
Overview of the GPSR and applicability
If I’m a seller located in the US or another market outside the EU, does the GPSR apply to me?
The GPSR may apply to you if you’re a “trader” (which may include businesses or professional sellers) that lists items for sale to EEA states and/or Northern Ireland, and/or if you manufacture, import, or distribute products available to EEA or NI consumers, regardless of where you are located. We expect more guidance for small and medium businesses and microenterprises to be released by the European Commission imminently, and will share more information as we receive it.
Does the GPSR apply in the United Kingdom?
Since Brexit, the United Kingdom is not part of the European Union anymore. Therefore, the GPSR does not apply to products sold in England, Wales, and Scotland (note that GPSR does apply to products sold in Northern Ireland). For the United Kingdom, manufacturers must comply with the UK General Product Safety Regulations (UK GPSR). Similar to the EU legislation, the UK GPSR creates a net of safety requirements where there are no specific safety regulations covering that kind of product. Additionally, manufacturers can consult references to international standards in order to comply with the UK GPSR. The list of standards includes examples for products such as furniture, training equipment, child use and care articles, lighters, etc.
Does GPSR apply to digital items?
The European Commission recently released a Q&A guidance document for businesses stating that the GPSR applies to all types of products (physical or digital products, including software) that are placed or made available on the EU Single Market, if they are not already regulated by an existing Union law. You may wish to consult with a legal expert regarding how this may apply to your shop and items. We expect the European Commission to provide more guidance on compliance for small and medium businesses and microenterprises in the near future. Etsy will update this page with relevant information as it is available.
Determining trader status
How do I know if I qualify as a “trader” under GPSR? Whether or not a business is considered a “trader” under EU regulation is complex and we always recommend reaching out to a legal advisor for information tailored to your business. A variety of factors is taken into consideration to determine if a business is a “trader” including sales volume, type and value of goods, and VAT status. If you signed up on Etsy as a “business” seller, meaning you’ve registered your business with a government agency and have a business ID number or are an incorporated business on Etsy, and you ship to buyers in the EEA or NI, we’ve automatically designated you as a “trader” within your shop and listings.
You can change your “trader” status in your policy settings at any time. In Shop Manager, click the pencil icon next to your shop under Sales channels. Select Edit in the Seller details section of your public shop to designate your status. Click Save.
Responsible Person and Authorized Representative
Can you provide more information on the Responsible Person? The responsible person’s duties include:
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Maintaining the product’s technical documentation, and providing them to the authorities on request
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Ensuring the product complies with certain information requirements such as including:
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a type, batch or serial number or other identifier
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the manufacturer’s name, their registered trade name or registered trade mark, and contact information
- clear instructions and safety information in a language which can be easily understood by consumers
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Informing authorities about dangerous products and accidents
- Cooperating with authorities and ensuring necessary corrective actions
See Etsy’s Help Center article for more information about adding an EEA or NI-based economic operator as a responsible person. To comply with the GPSR, Etsy’s interface enables traders to provide safety-related information in their shop/listings.
If you are a trader, manufacturer, or have another direct role in the supply chain of items you sell to EEA and/or NI consumers, you may have obligations under the GPSR.
For example, before and after a product is placed on the market, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe by carrying out risk analyses, drawing up and maintaining technical documentation, ensuring products are compliant and traceable, providing clear instructions and safety information, taking corrective actions, and notifying safety issues to consumers and authorities. We recommend that you review guidance regarding product safety business obligations published by the European Commission for more information.
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 trusted 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.
Safety information and compliance details
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
Compliance, enforcement, & risk
What happens if my product is not GPSR compliant?
If a product is subject to GPSR, but does not meet its requirements, the product may be considered a “dangerous product.” This can lead to EEA or NI authorities taking corrective action, including imposing fines, banning, or removing the product from the market. Should Etsy receive a notification from an authority that your product is non-compliant, we will take appropriate action, which may include removing your listing and/or suspending your account.
If a product is subject to such corrective action by the relevant market surveillance authority of an EU Member State, this will be published on Safety Gate, the EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products, which could lead other authorities to require similar actions in their jurisdiction.
If you have reason to believe that a product you placed on the EU market is a dangerous product, you must immediately:
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take corrective measures such as a withdrawal or recall
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inform consumers, using the required recall notice template where appropriate
- inform the market surveillance authorities of the Member States in which the product has been made available through the Safety Business Gateway
Should you and/or a national competent authority decide that a product recall is necessary, you must offer an effective, cost-free, and timely remedy to your buyer, including at least two of the following:
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repair of the recalled product
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replacement of the recalled product (with a safe one of the same type and at least the same value and quality)
- an adequate refund of the value of the recalled product, at least equal to the price paid by the buyer
What if my product causes an accident?
Manufacturers must report accidents caused by their product to the competent authorities of the Member State where the accident has occurred, through the Safety Business Gateway, without undue delay from the moment they know about the accident. This includes accidents causing death or serious adverse effects on an individual’s health and safety, permanent or temporary, including injuries, other damage to the body, illnesses, and chronic health effects.
Listings, renewals, and market placement
If an item purchased before December 13 is returned after December 13, is it affected by GPSR?
The GPSR applies to items made available on the EEA or NI market from December 13, 2024 and onwards. If an item was made available on the EEA or NI market before December 13, 2024, it does not need to comply with GPSR.
How do I check when my listing was created?
To check when your item was listed for sale on Etsy, on a desktop or mobile browser, navigate to Shop Manager > Listings. Within each individual listing page you’ll see a “Listed on” date under the listing title. This tells you when you first listed your item for sale, even if the listing has since sold out, been inactive or renewed.
If I renew a listing that was created before December 13, does it count as a new listing? Not necessarily. Products that were actually placed on the EEA/NI market before December 13, 2024, and complied with prior safety rules do not need to meet the new GPSR requirements even when renewed. You may want to consult a legal professional with further questions.
Shop settings and opt-out options
Will Etsy’s product update allow me to opt out of selling only certain listings in the EU and NI?
The new opt-out feature available in Shop Manager is currently applied at the shop level, and enables you to choose not to sell your listings to buyers in regions where GPSR currently applies, which includes all EEA states and NI. This setting is applied to all physical and/or digital goods.
Can I discontinue shipping to Northern Ireland?
In Shop Manager, you can now choose not to sell your listings to buyers in regions where GPSR currently applies, which includes Northern Ireland and all EEA states.
Can I stop offering my digital listings to buyers in the EU and Northern Ireland?
Yes. In Shop Manager, you can now choose not to sell your listings to buyers in regions where GPSR currently applies, which includes all EEA states and NI. This setting is applied at the shop level, so it applies to all of your physical or digital goods. We don’t currently offer the option to opt-out only your digital listings.
If I opt out of selling to the EEA and NI will it affect my shop visibility?
If you opt out, visibility of your listings will only be minimized in the EEA and NI. It will still be possible for buyers in the EEA and NI to access your listings if they have a direct link, but these buyers will not be able to check out if they have your listings in their cart. Your visibility in non-EEA and NI countries will not be impacted.
Product scope and exemptions
Are any products exempt from GPSR?
Certain products are out of scope of the GPSR, including:
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Medicinal products for human or veterinary use
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Food
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Feed
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Living plants and animals (including genetically modified organisms and genetically modified microorganisms in contained use, and products of plants and animals relating directly to their future reproduction)
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Animal by-products and derived products
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Plant protection products (such as pesticides)
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Equipment on which consumers ride or travel when that equipment is directly operated by a service provider within the context of a transport service provided to consumers and not operated by the consumers themselves
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Aircraft
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Antiques, such as works of art or collectors’ items
- Items that are clearly marked as needing to be repaired or reconditioned prior to being used
For a full list of out-of-scope items, you can learn more by checking Article 2 of the GPSR. Please note that some items in this list (e.g., pesticides, certain animal products, certain medicinal products, plants, and seeds) may still be restricted or prohibited on Etsy. Refer to Etsy’s Prohibited Items Policy for more details.
How should I distinguish between an antique and a secondhand product?
Antiques, such as works of art and collector’s items, are out of scope of this regulation as consumers cannot reasonably expect they meet state-of-the-art safety requirements. The GPSR refers to Annex IX of the Value Added Tax Directive, which defines antiques as goods which are more than 100 years old. A secondhand item is one that is not new and GPSR may be applicable.
How can I know if my item qualifies as collector’s item or work of art?
Broadly speaking, works of art refer to items created solely for artistic expression and collector’s items are those with sufficient historical or scientific significance to justify preservation. Annex IX of the Value Added Tax Directive provides additional information.
Working with production partners
If I use production partners, how am I affected? How should I display information in my listing to comply with GPSR?
Depending on what role your production partner plays in your item, they may have obligations under the GPSR. Please encourage your production partner to review this article and the GPSR and/or consult a legal expert for information on how GPSR may affect them. We’ll share updates as soon as more information is available.
If I sell multiple types of products in my shop and one type is exempt, how do I stay compliant?
We recommend that sellers review their items individually or obtain advice from a legal professional to determine which items are within the scope of GPSR. Information about how to update your listings can be found in Etsy’s Help Center article.
Etsy policy and enforcement
Will Etsy close shops that do not comply with GPSR?
If a product is subject to GPSR, but does not meet its requirements, the product may be considered a “dangerous product.” This can lead to EEA or NI authorities taking corrective action, including imposing fines, banning, or removing the product from the market. Should Etsy receive a notification from an authority that your product is non-compliant, we will take appropriate action, which may include removing your listing and/or suspending your account.
Will cancelling sales affect my Star Seller/customer services stats?
Canceled orders do not count towards your minimum threshold for orders or sales, and also do not count towards your customer service metrics.
Will Etsy remove negative reviews left by these buyers?
To have a review considered for removal, please report it by selecting Report this review under the review on Etsy.com. Etsy’s team will determine whether the review violates our policies. More information about the review reporting process is here.
I cancelled this order to comply with GPSR. Why was the buyer able to leave a review?
After you submit an order for cancellation, the buyer has a 48-hour window in which they can leave and edit a review. You can report a review by selecting Report this review under the review on Etsy.com. Etsy’s team will determine whether the review violates our policies. More information about the review reporting process is here.
How will Etsy ensure GPSR compliance, and when will compliance monitoring begin?
We’ll share updates as soon as more information is available. In the meantime, we encourage sellers to review their listings, ensure they meet GPSR requirements, and stay informed through our seller communications.
Need more information on compliance, updates, or listing requirements? Return to the full GPSR resource guide.
Words by Etsy Staff
