Overview
The General Product Safety Regulation replaces the General Product Safety Directive with a directly applicable regulation. It covers most consumer products that are not already subject to more specific EU harmonisation, and also fills residual gaps.
Fashion brands must ensure products are safe, keep technical documentation, provide traceability information, and—for distance sales from outside the EU—appoint an economic operator established in the Union. Online marketplaces have specific notice-and-action style obligations.
Key requirements
- Place only safe products on the EU market and carry out internal risk analyses proportionate to the product.
- Ensure labelling / traceability elements identifying manufacturer and product references.
- For non-EU manufacturers selling online into the EU, appoint a responsible economic operator in the Union.
- Report serious risks through Safety Gate / business incident processes as required.
Who’s affected by GPSR
Manufacturers, importers, distributors, fulfilment providers and online marketplaces dealing in consumer apparel, footwear and accessories on the EU market.
Timeline
12 June 2023
GPSR adopted / published path completed.
13 December 2024
GPSR applies across the EU.
How Carbon Trail helps
How Carbon Trail can help
- Map which products, markets and legal entities fall in scope.
- Structure product, supplier and emissions data needed for disclosures and EPR reporting.
- Track timelines, owners and evidence gaps across overlapping fashion regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Does GPSR replace textile fibre labelling rules?
No. Fibre-composition labelling remains under Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011. GPSR addresses general safety, traceability and market surveillance.
