Make product safety your top priority with F2 Labs’ comprehensive testing services. We evaluate consumer products for compliance with global safety regulations, helping you identify and mitigate risks—so you can confidently certify, label, and launch safe products worldwide.
General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 Testing
F2 Labs can assist you in testing the product to the appropriate standards under the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) (EU) 2023/988. We offer expert product safety testing and inspection, as well as fast turnaround times. We provide expert testing to thousands of product safety standards.
This Regulation was adopted on May 10, 2023, published on May 23, 2023, and became effective on December 13, 2024, in all EU Member States. This Regulation replaces Directive 2001/95/EC and Directive 87/357/EEC. The GPSR establishes a comprehensive safety methodology for consumer products (other than food), including repaired/reconditioned, used, and new products. It applies especially to products sold online or from other direct-to-consumer channels. It acts as a safety net for products not already subject to other EU regulations.
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is not required for the CE mark, but it does require manufacturers to prove that either the product complies with the individual member nation laws pertaining to it or the product complies with the Directive itself. Compliance can be demonstrated by testing the product to the applicable EN standards.
Economic operators must have a strong risk analysis for every product they sell. It should include evaluating the design, makeup, presentation, potential misuse, and new aspects like cybersecurity and AI-related functions. A technical file must be maintained. It should include all product information, identification of hazards, including product description, hazard identification, risk reduction measures, applicable standards used, test results, and specific labeling requirements.
National authorities now have more surveillance powers as they have a rapid information and alert exchange system, called Safety Gate (previously known as RAPEX), to exchange information on dangerous products found in the European Union. Penalties for having an unsafe product are subject to product bans, recalls, and fines for non-compliance.
Definition of a safe product per the GPSR– ‘safe product’ means any product which, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, including the actual duration of use, does not present any risk or only the minimum risks compatible with the product’s use, considered acceptable and consistent with a high level of protection of the health and safety of consumers;
F2 Labs can help you navigate the requirements for your product so you’re sure you’re putting a safe product on the market. Contact us today to find out how to get started.
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FAQs
Is The General Product Safety Regulation replacing the General Product Safety Directive?
Yes, in December 2024
Is this a CE marking Directive?
ThisisnotaCEMarkingDirective/Regulation.Thisisgoingtorequiresafetytesting for
products not in scope of the Radio Equipment Directive or Low Voltage Directive. Any devices with electronic function, even below 50 VAC or below 75 VDC, will require safety testing. Even products with no power are in scope.
Why is this Regulation required?
The objective of this Regulation is to improve the functioning of the internal market while providing a high level of consumer protection. The EU is mandating a minimum safety level for all products.
What is the Scope of The GPSR? *See scope below
TheEUannouncedtheNewLegislativeFramework(akaNLF)in2008:https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/new-legislative-framework_en
This is an effort for the EU to force the various working groups responsible for Directives and Regulations to align on their requirements – for example: TF, EU DoC, the various modules, etc. For example… the The EU declaration of conformity should have the same format regardless of Directive.
They also aligned the definitions and responsibilities of actors in the supply chain – Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and Authorized EU Reps.
See the below for more information:
Here is the European Commission GPSR webpage: https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy- euro/doing-business-eu/eu-product-safety-and-labelling/product-safety/general-product-safety- regulation_en
Here is the Regulation: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R0988
See Article 9 – this law applies to things that would normally require no testing – like fishhooks, pocketknives, eye glass cases, guitar strings, etc.
