Where on the product or packaging does the Responsible Person information go?

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Jason van de Zande

Under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR), the responsible person identification must be shown so that authorities and consumers can easily find an EU-based economic operator to contact. In practice, you place the details on the product when feasible; otherwise, on the packaging; and if neither works, in an accompanying document. Below are the exact data elements to include and what to do for small items or unpackaged goods.

Where exactly must the Responsible Person details appear on the product or packaging?

The GPSR requires the responsible person details to be indicated on the product, its packaging, or an accompanying document. The practical hierarchy is: put them on the product itself when feasible; use the packaging when the product is too small or marking is impractical; and use an accompanying document only when neither the product nor the packaging can reasonably carry the information.

Whichever location you choose, the information should be easy to find, legible without magnification, and durable enough to remain available through normal handling and distribution. Avoid placing the text where it can be covered by stickers, overwrap, or marketplace labels.

For distance sales, many marketplaces also expect the responsible person details to appear in the online offer, and they may request photos showing the label or packaging with the information visible.

What information must be included in the Responsible Person identification?

At minimum, the responsible person identification should include the economic operator’s name (or company name), registered trade name or trademark, and a postal address in the EU. This is the core set that allows market surveillance authorities to identify and contact the correct EU-based operator for documentation and cooperation tasks.

  • Name of the responsible person economic operator (legal entity)
  • Registered trade name or trademark (if used)
  • Postal address in the EU where the operator can be contacted

Many companies also add an email address or phone number for faster communication, and other EU product legislation may add additional identification requirements for specific product types. If you use a mailbox-style address, make sure it still enables effective contact and the handling of authority requests.

Keep the responsible person details consistent across your label, packaging, instructions, and technical documentation. If you also use a Declaration of Conformity for other applicable legislation, align names and addresses there as well, but do not treat it as a GPSR requirement.

What if the product is too small to label or has no packaging?

If the product is too small to label, or labeling would compromise safety or usability, you can place the responsible person details on the packaging. If there is no packaging, you can provide the information in an accompanying document such as instructions for use, a warranty leaflet, or a product information sheet that ships with the item.

  • Small products: use a hang tag, folded leaflet, or packaging label that stays with the product at the point of sale.
  • No packaging: include a durable accompanying document in the shipment, and ensure it is not discarded before the consumer can access it.
  • Multi-packs and kits: place the information on the outer packaging, and ensure it clearly applies to all included items or list the covered models.

Use attachment methods that survive normal logistics, for example, adhesive labels suited to the surface, printing directly on packaging, or a securely fixed tag. A QR code can be a helpful supplement for manuals or additional contact channels, but it does not replace the required EU postal address on the physical product, packaging, or accompanying document.

How does EARP help with Responsible Person labeling under the GPSR?

We help you implement responsible person labeling that matches GPSR expectations and marketplace checks, without guesswork or inconsistent wording across your files.

  • We review your proposed label text for required elements and clear role identification.
  • We advise on placement—product versus packaging versus accompanying document—based on your product format.
  • We check consistency across labeling, instructions, and technical documentation to ensure readiness for authority requests.
  • We support ongoing compliance through our GPSR services and act as a stable EU point of contact.
  • When you need to move quickly, you can reach us via our contact page to confirm the right labeling approach for your products.

If you want us to verify your responsible person label placement and wording before you list or ship into the EU, contact EARP for clear, practical guidance.

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