The EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) came into force on 13 December 2024. It applies to all products sold to consumers in the EU and Northern Ireland and introduces new requirements around product safety documentation, labelling, and responsible person designation. If you ship orders to EU countries, you must ensure your shipment data and documentation meet these requirements.
What GPSR requires
Under GPSR, every product sold to EU consumers must have a named Responsible Person (RP) — an individual or business entity based within the EU who takes legal responsibility for product safety compliance. The Responsible Person's contact details must be:
Included on or with the product or its packaging.
Accessible to consumers and market surveillance authorities on request.
Listed on any accompanying documentation, including commercial invoices for international shipments.
The Responsible Person is typically one of the following:
The EU-based manufacturer or importer of the product.
An authorised representative appointed by the manufacturer for EU distribution.
A fulfilment service provider or logistics partner based in the EU who has accepted responsibility in writing.
What this means for your shipments
For shipments leaving the UK and entering the EU, your commercial invoice and customs documentation should include:
Your EORI number (already required for customs).
The Responsible Person's full name and EU address.
The Responsible Person's contact email address.
A reference or batch number for the product where applicable.
Customs authorities in EU member states may check that these details are present, particularly for product categories such as electronics, toys, personal care items, and clothing. Shipments missing this information may be delayed or returned.
Configure your customs and invoice data in Mintsoft
Mintsoft allows you to include customs information at account level and per product. To ensure your international shipments include the required data:
Add your EORI number and VAT number in your customs configuration. See International Shipping — Configuration and Setup for full steps.
If you use a Custom Commercial Invoice, review the available merge tags to confirm you can include Responsible Person details. See Custom Commercial Invoice — Configuration and Setup.
Ensure your product records include accurate commodity codes (HS codes) and country of origin, as GPSR enforcement is often triggered during customs classification checks.
Important: GPSR is a legal requirement. The information in this article provides a general overview to help you understand the regulation's impact on your shipments. For specific legal advice about your obligations, consult a trade compliance specialist or legal adviser familiar with EU product safety law.
Further guidance
European Commission GPSR guidance: ec.europa.eu/safety-gate
UK Government guidance on selling goods in the EU after GPSR: gov.uk