The new EU Product Safety Regulation
The adopted EU regulation, effective as of June 12, 2023, will directly replace the General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC after the transition period, without the need for national implementation.
The European Union regulation includes significant changes aimed at ensuring product safety and consumer protection in the modern age.
The regulation strengthens product safety and consumer protection by obligating online marketplaces to collaborate with market surveillance authorities to remove dangerous products and appoint a designated contact person for product safety. The regulation establishes a uniform market surveillance framework, ensures swift corrective actions for unsafe products, and grants consumers the right to choose between repair, replacement, or refund in case of product recalls. Additionally, economic operators must appoint a responsible person for sales, both online and offline, to ensure the availability of technical documentation and safety information.
The regulation applies to all economic operators operating within the EU, including manufacturers, importers, retailers, as well as fulfilment service providers and providers of online marketplaces with consumer products in their portfolio.
Regulation (EU) 2023/988 officially came into effect on June 12, 2023. However, due to the 18-month transition period, it will replace the General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC starting from December 13, 2024. The text of the regulation can be viewed HERE.
