New General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR)

Register to attend our webinar on Wednesday 8 January at 4pm

The European Union General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) introduces new obligations for businesses selling products in the EU, with significant implications for small heritage crafts businesses, especially those who occasionally sell to EU customers.

Under the new rules, businesses must ensure their products meet stricter safety requirements across the EU, and must document risk assessments and safety measures for their products. British businesses selling to EU customers must also appoint an EU-based representative who is responsible for compliance with safety standards. The representative ensures traceability, provides compliance documentation, and communicates with EU authorities if safety issues arise.

While the new GPSR aims to improve consumer safety, its requirements (particularly the need for an EU-based representative) pose huge challenges for small craft businesses, including significant costs and administrative burdens. These businesses may need to carefully consider the costs of compliance against the benefits of selling in the EU.

Heritage Crafts is currently looking into possible collaborative strategies to help overcome these new regulatory burdens, but such solutions are complex. Heritage Crafts is also speaking to partner organisation to join forces in lobbying for exemptions or simplified rules for small businesses and occasional sellers. Simplified compliance pathways, such as self-certification for certain product categories, would help small craftspeople remain competitive.

We will update you on progress made.

Image: Clarinet making with Cambridge Woodwind Makers