Sports, Outdoor & Recreational Products – EU Representation for GPSR Compliance
Ensure your sports and leisure products meet EU safety rules with EARP’s independent Authorized Representative and Responsible Person services.
Sell compliant sports and leisure gear
Sports, outdoor, and recreational products include everything from backyard play equipment to camping gear and fitness aids, all of which can pose safety risks if poorly designed or labeled. These risks range from impact injuries and entrapment to improper assembly or misuse.
To legally sell these products in the EU, manufacturers must comply with the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR), which sets clear rules for labeling, safety documentation, and traceability. Under the GPSR you must therefore show hat your product is safe for its intended users and conditions, and that an EU-based contact can be reached quickly if something goes wrong.
For non-EU brands without a distributor or importer willing to assume this role, appointing an Authorized Representative (AR) is the formal method to meet the Responsible Person (RP) requirement. EARP offers specialized AR and RP services for sports and recreational products, helping brands navigate these obligations and maintain seamless access to the European market.
What GPSR expects
You must conduct and document your risk analysis and prepare a living technical file explaining hazards, your risk estimates, the controls you chose, and the tests or standards you relied on. Present company contact details (postal + electronic address), a model/batch for traceability, and instructions/warnings that fit how the product is actually used including foreseeable misuse (wet, cold, load, altitude, darkness).
What authorities flag most
Expect scrutiny on mechanical integrity (straps, buckles, stitching, anchors), fall/impact protection (if protective gear), thermal/electrical behaviour (chargers, headlamps, e-mobility accessories), battery performance and abuse, and chemical residues in rubbers, plastics and textiles (PAHs, phthalates, azo dyes, nickel). Your technical file should tie materials and components to REACH Annex XVII checks, document safety margins for loads and drop/impact, and explain how firmware/app updates are validated before roll-out. If a serious risk or accident occurs, notify without undue delay via the Safety Business Gateway.
What are sports, outdoor & recreational products?
This category covers a wide range of consumer products designed for leisure, exercise, and outdoor activities. It includes items for both children and adults, intended for use at home, in gardens, parks, or on camping trips. Examples include:
Camping and hiking gear (tents, sleeping bags, backpacks)
Fitness gear, jump ropes, resistance bands
Rackets, balls and throwing sets
Climbing frames, slides, recreational nets
Gardening and DIY leisure tools for personal use
Beach accessories (inflatable loungers, swim rings, paddleboards)
Relevant legislation
Disclaimer: This list is not exhaustive and may not apply to all products; manufacturers must identify all applicable EU requirements.
Do you need an EU Authorized Representative?
Yes. If you are a non-EU manufacturer and no importer, distributor, or fulfillment provider accepts responsibility for your products, Article 16(1) of the GPSR requires you to have an EU-based Responsible Person. For sports, outdoor, and recreational products, often sold online or through global channels, this is particularly critical to avoid customs holds or enforcement delays. Appointing an Authorized Representative is the formal way to meet this requirement when no other EU operator assumes the role, ensuring safe, compliant access to the EU market.
We can act as your Authorized Representative and your EU-based Responsible Person. Find out who we are.
Helpful ArticleWhy choose EARP as your EU Representative
EARP supports your entry into the EU market by acting as your Authorized Representative and Responsible Person under the GPSR. Our services include:
- Acting as your official EU contact point for market surveillance inspections, especially for seasonal or high-risk sporting goods
- Authorizing the use of EARP’s EU contact details on packaging or instruction manuals for sports and recreational items
- Verifying your technical documentation, labeling, and safety instructions
- Holding and making available your Declaration of Conformity and product files on request
- Assessing consumer complaints or accident reports, including potential assembly-related hazards
- Managing serious incident reporting workflows with EU authorities when necessary
- Supporting manufacturer-led safety notices, product withdrawals, or recalls related to injury prevention
Read more about EARP’s representation services.
We remain fully independent from your commercial partners or importers, giving you flexibility while meeting EU compliance requirements.
FAQs – Sports & Leisure Products
Only if they are designed or marketed primarily for children under 14. Otherwise, they are regulated as general consumer products under the GPSR.
The GPSR requires clear labeling with your EU-based Responsible Person’s details (such as your Authorized Representative). EARP can provide this service to ensure you meet requirements.
At minimum, you need a product description, intended use, risk assessment, labeling, safety instructions, and any relevant testing evidence in line with GPSR Article 9(2).
Yes. The GPSR explicitly covers distance sales to EU consumers. If no EU-based operator takes responsibility, you must appoint an AR.
