Under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR), non-EU businesses selling products in Europe must appoint a responsible person within the EU. Additionally, various EU harmonised legislation may require companies without an EU establishment to appoint an EU-based economic operator to serve as their authorized representative for regulatory matters and market surveillance.

A GPSR responsible person is an EU-based economic operator appointed by manufacturers to handle specific product safety compliance tasks under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988. This person serves as the primary contact point for market surveillance authorities and ensures regulatory obligations are met after products are placed on the EU market. The role became mandatory on 13th December 2024 for all non-EU manufacturers selling consumer products in Europe. The General Product Safety Regulation represents a significant shift in how the EU approaches product safety. This regulation, which came into force in December 2024, introduces enhanced safety obligations for […]

The main difference between an EU Authorized Representative and a Responsible Person lies in their regulatory scope and application. An Authorized Representative operates under specific EU directives like CE marking regulations, whilst a Responsible Person functions under the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) for broader product safety compliance. Both serve as mandatory EU-based contact points for non-EU manufacturers, but they address different regulatory frameworks and responsibilities. When you sell products in the European Union as a non-EU manufacturer, you must appoint an EU-based representative to handle regulatory compliance and serve as your official contact point with authorities. This requirement stems […]