The General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) 2001/95/EC establishes a comprehensive framework to ensure that all consumer products placed on the EU market are safe, even when they are not covered by specific sectoral legislation. It acts as a safety net, protecting consumers where no specific EU regulation exists or where gaps remain.
What is the General Product Safety Directive?
The GPSD requires that only safe products are marketed or distributed in the European Union. A "safe product" is defined as any product that, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, does not pose a risk to consumer health and safety.
The directive applies in addition to specific legislation, ensuring that products not fully regulated under vertical directives (like toys, machinery, or medical devices) still meet a high standard of consumer protection.
Note: The new General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 replaces the directive and applies from 13 December 2024. However, for now, the 2001/95/EC directive remains the legal basis.
Scope of the Directive
The GPSD covers all consumer products, including those intended for consumers or likely to be used by them, even if the product was not originally intended for consumer use.
Examples include:
- Furniture and furnishings
- Household goods (e.g. candles, kitchenware)
- Childcare articles (e.g. baby carriers, pacifiers)
- Hobby, sports, and leisure products
- Clothing and accessories
Products that fall under specific EU regulations (e.g. toys under the Toy Safety Directive or electrical products under the LVD) may still be subject to GPSD where safety aspects are not fully addressed by sectoral legislation.
Key Safety Requirements
While the directive does not lay out technical specifications, it requires that products be assessed based on:
- European standards, if available
- Codes of good practice in the sector
- Current scientific and technical knowledge
- Consumer expectations regarding safety
Manufacturers must anticipate reasonably foreseeable use or misuse, and must eliminate or reduce risks accordingly.
Responsibilities of Economic Operators
The GPSD imposes clear obligations on all actors in the supply chain:
- Producers (manufacturers and brand owners) must:
- Ensure product safety during design and production
- Provide relevant warnings and instructions
- Take immediate action if a product is found to be unsafe (including recalls or withdrawals)
- Maintain traceability systems
- Distributors must:
- Act with due care in handling and storage
- Monitor product safety
- Cooperate with producers and authorities during recalls or safety alerts
Market Surveillance and RAPEX
National authorities are responsible for market surveillance and can carry out product testing, inspections, and enforcement actions.
The directive also created RAPEX, the EU’s rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products. It allows for the swift exchange of information across Member States about unsafe products that pose serious risks to consumers.
Manufacturers and importers are required to notify authorities if they become aware that a product they placed on the market presents risks to health and safety.
Harmonised Standards
While the GPSD is largely principles-based, the use of harmonised European standards (when available) is strongly encouraged. Conforming to such standards offers a presumption of safety, though it is not mandatory.
Where no harmonised standards exist, safety must be demonstrated through other recognized practices, technical documentation, or third-party testing.
Contact Us
Whether your product falls between the gaps of sector-specific legislation or you’re launching a new consumer product in the EU, the General Product Safety Directive ensures that safety remains a top priority. We help businesses assess product risks, establish traceability procedures, prepare recall strategies, and document compliance.
Contact us today to ensure your consumer products meet the safety expectations of the European market—and protect your customers, your brand, and your future.
