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Understanding the GPSR Law and Ensuring Compliance for Furniture and Baby Products

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In the European Union, the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is a cornerstone of product safety legislation. Effective from December 13, 2024, the GPSR replaces the previous General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) with updated requirements to enhance consumer safety. For businesses manufacturing, importing, or distributing furniture and baby products, understanding the GPSR and taking proactive steps to comply is not just a legal necessity—it’s essential for maintaining trust and market competitiveness.


You can find the full text of the directive here:  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R0988





What is the GPSR?

The GPSR is designed to ensure that only safe products are available in the EU market, providing a higher level of protection for consumers. Unlike its predecessor, the GPSR introduces more robust measures, including digital product safety information and increased obligations for economic operators such as manufacturers, importers, and distributors.


Key Changes Introduced by the GPSR

  1. Definition of Safety The GPSR takes a broader approach to defining “safe products.” It considers:

    • Intended use, as well as foreseeable misuse.

    • Vulnerable consumer groups, including children.

    • Evolving risks due to technologies like smart products.

  2. Traceability Requirements Economic operators must ensure that product information, such as name, address, and batch/serial numbers, is clearly traceable throughout the supply chain.

  3. Digital Product Information The regulation requires that safety instructions and warnings can be accessed digitally, ensuring transparency for online sales.

  4. Market Surveillance and Penalties Increased powers for authorities to monitor and remove unsafe products, with severe penalties for non-compliance.

GPSR Compliance for Furniture and Baby Products

Both furniture and baby products face heightened scrutiny due to their direct impact on consumer safety, particularly for vulnerable groups like infants and young children. Here's how your business can comply:

1. Conduct Comprehensive Risk Assessments

  • Identify potential hazards associated with your product’s design, materials, and usage.

  • Account for foreseeable misuse, such as children climbing furniture or mishandling baby items.

2. Adhere to Harmonized Standards

  • Use EU harmonized standards wherever possible, as these provide a presumption of conformity.

  • For baby products, standards like EN 1130 for cribs or EN 716 for cots are essential benchmarks.

3. Ensure Traceability

  • Label your products with clear information about the manufacturer/importer, batch number, and country of origin.

  • Remember to add a full address and also email address that potential customer can use to contact you for clarification or in case of doubt

  • Maintain robust internal records to trace your product through the supply chain.

4. Update Your Packaging and Instructions

  • Provide clear safety warnings and assembly instructions.

  • Include digital QR codes linking to user manuals, videos, or online safety guidelines.

5. Monitor Supply Chain Partners

  • Vet your suppliers to ensure that raw materials and components meet EU safety standards.

  • Perform regular quality assurance checks on incoming materials and final products.

6. Implement a Product Recall Plan

  • Have a clear protocol for recalling unsafe products if necessary.

  • Notify market surveillance authorities promptly in case of risks.

Why Compliance Matters

Failing to comply with the GPSR can result in severe consequences like fines and legal penalties for non-compliance.

Some players can remove your products if they have doubt that they comply with the law.


But we like to see also a positive side of all of that. Compliance offers significant benefits:

  • Consumer trust in your brand.

  • Easier market access, especially for businesses operating in multiple EU member states.

  • Reduced legal risk and operational disruptions.

Special Considerations for Furniture and Baby Products

Furniture

  • Prioritize stability and load testing to prevent tip-over hazards, especially for tall furniture like wardrobes and bookshelves.

  • Ensure fire safety compliance, particularly for upholstered furniture, by adhering to the appropriate EU fire resistance standards.

Baby Products

  • Baby items like cribs, strollers, and feeding chairs must account for choking, suffocation, and injury risks.

  • Use non-toxic, durable materials and ensure all small parts are securely fastened.

Please remember that this is only quick summary of the law based on our understanding of new rules - if you have some doubts, we always invite to seek a professional legal help to understand if you comply with all the new regulations.


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