Pet Products
EU Representation for Pet Products
Pet products sold to consumers in the European Union must meet the safety requirements established under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988. These products must be designed and manufactured so that they do not present risks to animals, consumers, or the household environment during normal or reasonably foreseeable use.
As your independent EU Authorized Representative (AR) and Responsible Person (RP), EARP ensures that your pet products are represented as is required by applicable EU safety requirements.
Why Pet Products Require EU Representation
Ensuring Safety for Both Pets and owners
Pet products can pose risks such as choking, entanglement, ingestion hazards, chemical exposure, burns, or mechanical injury. Because many pet products are also used by children or handled daily in households, market surveillance authorities actively monitor this category.
Manufacturers must maintain documentation demonstrating that their products meet applicable safety requirements. This documentation must be available to EU Market Surveillance Authorities upon request.
A designated EU-based Responsible Person is required if the manufacturer is based outside the EU, to ensure authorities can access documentation, request corrective actions, and verify that products entering the market meet basic safety expectations.
Common Pet and Animal Care Products
Pet products commonly sold in the EU include:
Feeders, Fountains,Collars
Aquariums and Pet Enclosures
Pet Beds and Furniture
Mats and Pet Clothing
Grooming Tools and Accessories
Most pet products fall under the GPSR. However, certain products may also be subject to additional legislation such as the Low Voltage Directive, EMC Directive, or the Radio Equipment Directive depending on their design and functionality.
EARP represents these products under a single AR/RP framework, ensuring consistent compliance management for all items you place on the EU market.
Our Role as Your EU AR and RP
EARP acts as an independent EU Authorized Representative and Responsible Person for manufacturers placing pet products on the European market. As your representative, EARP serves as the official EU contact point for Market Surveillance Authorities and ensures that required documentation and product information can be made available upon request.
EARP operates as an independent regulatory representative and does not participate in product import, distribution, or commercial sales. This independent structure prevents conflicts of interest and ensures that regulatory communication remains focused on compliance representation.
More detailed information about our AR/RP responsibilities are outlined here:
→ /services/authorized-representative-responsible-person-gpsr/
Frequent Compliance Issues and Related Safety Risks
Non-compliance can directly affect animal and human safety
Pet products are frequently subject to market surveillance actions when safety risks arise from poor design, unsafe materials, or inadequate documentation. Frequent issues include:
Electrical Safety Risks
Electronic pet products such as automatic feeders or training devices may present overheating or electrical hazards if improperly designed.
Choking Hazard
Detachable components on pet toys may be swallowed by animals and create choking or internal injury risks.
Toxic Materials
Pet products made from low-quality plastics or treated materials may contain hazardous chemicals that can harm animals if chewed or ingested.
Sharp Edges or Points
Defective components or poorly finished materials may cause cuts or injuries to animals or owners.
Structural Failure
Poorly manufactured leashes, collars, or harnesses may break during use, leading to injury or loss of control of the animal.
Missing documentation
Absence of safety documentation including an EU contact address on packaging.
When a product is notified and recalled through the Safety Gate, it is almost always the result of an inadequate risk assessment or incomplete technical documentation.
Explore More on Product Safety and EU Compliance
Further guidance on children’s product safety
Lets Get Started
There’s no time to waste. Talk to the experts at EARP and know that you have 25 years of experience at your disposal. You deserve to focus on your products. Let us take care of your regulatory representation in the large and lucrative European market.
