New EU law impacts webshops – what does it mean for you?

On December 13, 2024, the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) came into effect across the EU. This means new and stricter requirements for online shops, manufacturers, and retailers regarding product safety, documentation, and labeling.

In 2025, authorities will begin enforcing the rules – which could have serious consequences for your business. Online shops that fail to comply risk fines, product removals, and loss of visibility on marketplaces.

So, what should you be aware of, and how can you ensure that your online shop meets the new requirements?

Increased responsibility for product safety

With GPSR, as an online shop owner, you are directly responsible for ensuring that the products you sell are safe to use. This includes:

Documentation: You must provide proof that your products meet EU safety requirements.

Safety control: Ongoing product safety assessments must be an integral part of your process.

EU contact person: If you sell products manufactured outside the EU, you must have an official contact person who can document product safety.

Authorities now have greater power to inspect products and can require you to remove items from the market if they do not comply with the rules.

New product labeling requirements

To make it easier for consumers to identify safe products, GPSR requires that all products be clearly labeled with:

The manufacturer’s name and address

Electronic contact details

Safety warnings and usage instructions

These details must also be visible on your online shop – it is no longer sufficient for them to appear only on packaging or in a physical manual.

Rapid response to dangerous products

If a product is found to be dangerous, you must:

Notify authorities via the EU’s Safety Business Gateway.

Inform your customers about the risks and necessary precautions.

Offer a solution, such as replacement, repair, or refund.

If you sell via marketplaces like Amazon or eBay, these platforms may also require you to remove non-compliant products.

Stricter requirements for e-commerce platforms

Online shops and marketplaces bear greater responsibility for product safety. This means you must:

Establish a fixed procedure for removing dangerous products if required by authorities.

Ensure that all mandatory product information is easily accessible to consumers.

Cooperate with market surveillance authorities in case of safety issues.

If you sell through third-party suppliers, you must ensure they also comply with GPSR – the responsibility does not rest solely with the manufacturer but also with you as a retailer.

Cybersecurity and digital products

GPSR also covers cybersecurity. If you sell products that can be updated digitally or rely on software, you must ensure that they:

Are protected against hacking and unauthorized access.

Comply with data collection and privacy regulations.

Can be updated to address potential security risks.

If your online shop offers technology or IoT products, conducting a risk assessment of your inventory is crucial.

How to ensure your webshop is GPSR-Compliant

Navigating new regulations can be challenging – but you don’t have to do it alone. At Iternum Digital, we help online shops ensure compliance and optimize their business. Here are your next steps:

Update your product descriptions to include all necessary safety information.
Ensure your online shop displays correct product labeling, including manufacturer contact details.
Establish a plan for handling dangerous products so you can react quickly to safety issues.
Optimize your ads and email campaigns to ensure they do not contain misleading information about product safety.

Are you ready for GPSR?

GPSR is already in effect, and enforcement will intensify in 2025. This means you need to act now to avoid potential fines and product removals.

At Iternum Digital, we are experts in digital strategy, compliance, and e-commerce. We help online shops understand and implement the new rules – so you can focus on growing your business.

Let’s have a conversation about how we can help you become GPSR-compliant if you are unsure whether you meet the new requirements.