GPSR Labelling Requirements: Mandatory Product and Packaging Information include a product identifier, the manufacturer’s contact details and, where required, the EU responsible economic operator’s details, plus relevant safety instructions and warnings. The information must be legible, accessible and suitable for the market where you sell, including when the product is offered online.
Key takeaways
- Regulation (EU) 2023/988 requires product identification that links each product to its documentation, manufacturer and, where relevant, its batch or model.
- The manufacturer’s name, registered trade name or registered trade mark, postal address and electronic address must accompany the product or, where direct marking is not possible, its packaging.
- Where the manufacturer is established outside the European Union, the details of the responsible economic operator in the EU must be shown on the product, packaging, parcel or an accompanying document.
- Safety warnings and instructions must be provided in a language that consumers in the country of sale can easily understand.
- An online product listing must also show the safety and traceability information required for distance sales.
Which products are covered by GPSR labelling requirements?
The GPSR covers consumer products placed or made available on the EU market, including products sold through marketplaces and online shops. It has applied since 13 December 2024 under Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety.
The scope is broad. It can include home accessories, sporting goods, decorative items, leisure products, smaller items not fully governed by sector-specific rules, and products sold directly to consumers. A product intended for professional use may also fall within scope where consumer use is reasonably foreseeable.
The GPSR is, however, a general framework. Where harmonised EU legislation governs a particular product category or risk, that sector-specific legislation takes priority for the matters it covers. This is often the case for toys, electrical equipment, radio equipment, cosmetics and textiles.
For example, a toy must meet the requirements of Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys, including its own marking, warning and documentation rules. Radio equipment must also be assessed under Directive 2014/53/EU on radio equipment. The GPSR may still matter for risks not addressed by the sector-specific legislation.
Before designing an label, identify the regime that applies to your product and the countries where it will be stored or sold. The EU Market Entry Compliance Assessment helps you organise checks for product, customs, VAT, packaging and regulatory-data obligations before the first shipment.
What information must appear on the product or packaging?
The product or its packaging must identify the product, the manufacturer and the relevant economic operator clearly. The purpose is practical: if there is an inspection, incident or recall, both authorities and consumers must be able to identify the item and know whom to contact.
Identify the product in a traceable way
The manufacturer must ensure that the product bears a type, batch or serial number, or another element that enables identification. If the size or nature of the product makes direct marking impractical, the information may appear on the packaging or in a document accompanying the product.
A vague internal reference such as “Model 2025” will rarely be enough if it cannot distinguish product variants, production runs or affected batches. In practice, link a model reference to a batch or serial number where the product risk, production volume or manufacturing variation warrants it.
Example: a reusable water bottle sold in several sizes and colours may carry a shared model reference, but each production batch should be traceable to its supplier, materials, checks and production dates. If a cap defect is found, you can isolate the affected units rather than withdraw the whole range.
Show the manufacturer’s contact details
The manufacturer must state its name, registered trade name or registered trade mark, together with a postal address and electronic address at which it can be contacted. These details must appear on the product or, where that is not possible, on the packaging or in an accompanying document. This traceability obligation follows from Regulation (EU) 2023/988.
A website address alone does not replace a postal address. Equally, a mailbox with no identifiable legal entity, or an email inbox that nobody monitors, weakens your compliance process because it does not enable effective contact with authorities or consumers.
Show the EU responsible operator where the manufacturer is outside the EU
Where a manufacturer is not established in the EU, an economic operator established in the EU must be identified for products covered by the GPSR. Depending on the supply chain, this may be an importer, an authorised representative or an EU-established responsible person. The operator’s details must accompany the product in the manner required by the Regulation.
Do not confuse this requirement with a logistics address or an Amazon FBA warehouse address. A warehouse does not automatically become the responsible economic operator for the product. See the GPSR responsible person guide for a clear explanation of each party’s responsibilities.
Add the necessary instructions and warnings
Warnings are not standard phrases to copy onto every package. They should arise from the product’s actual risks and foreseeable use: minimum age, small parts, cutting hazards, heat, assembly, maximum load, compatibility, maintenance, disposal or use precautions.
The GPSR requires safety information and instructions to be supplied in a language that consumers in the country of marketing can easily understand, in line with that Member State’s requirements. Selling in France will generally require information consumers can understand in French; selling in Germany or Spain means checking the language expectations in those markets.
EU Seller Kit — For a non-EU manufacturer or seller, an EU GPSR responsible person may be relevant where the product needs an EU-established responsible economic operator. The service becomes active only after product review, entity assignment, a signed mandate and active payment.
What must you show on an online product listing?
Distance selling does not remove the duty to inform the consumer before purchase. Your product page must display relevant safety and traceability information so the buyer can identify the product and responsible operator without waiting for delivery.
Article 19 of the GPSR requires distance-sale offers to show, among other information, the manufacturer’s identity and contact details or, where the manufacturer is not established in the EU, those of the responsible operator in the EU. The offer must also include information identifying the product and the relevant warnings or safety information.
In practice, build the following fields into your product-page template:
- product name and model reference or identifier;
- manufacturer name or brand and contact details;
- EU responsible operator contact details where required;
- applicable safety warnings;
- information needed for safe use where its absence would prevent an informed purchase decision.
A packaging photograph can support this information, but it should not be your only method. Structured text is more accessible, easier to update and more readily reviewed by marketplaces. Amazon, eBay, Etsy and other platforms may request these details or block an incomplete listing. Use the Marketplace Product Compliance Scanner before publication to identify traceability and safety information that needs checking.
If you sell on Amazon, see Amazon GPSR compliance information for sellers. For an independent shop, the Shopify GPSR compliance guide explains what to organise on your product pages.
How do you prepare GPSR labelling step by step?
Prepare your GPSR labelling from the product assessment and traceability records before packaging is printed and listings go live. That sequence avoids destroying packaging, reworking stock already shipped or suspending a product page.
1. Define the product and its foreseeable use
Describe the product precisely: material, function, intended user, age group, use environment, accessories, any electrical supply and limits of use. Do not stop at the marketing use. Consider reasonably foreseeable use too, especially use by children.
2. Check sector-specific rules before drafting the label
Determine whether the product is subject to CE legislation or another specific legal regime. CE marking does not apply to every product, but it is mandatory where harmonised legislation requires it. The European Commission explains the underlying principles on Your Europe: CE marking.
Example: a lamp imported from Shenzhen for delivery to an Amazon FBA warehouse in Germany may be subject to several electrical and environmental requirements. Adding a GPSR sticker alone is not enough. You need to check the applicable rules, technical documentation, required markings, warnings and national obligations connected with placing the product on the market.
For CE-marked goods, use the practical CE marking guide for EU sellers to separate the obligations of manufacturers, importers and distributors.
3. Create your traceability data
Create a master record for each reference: commercial name, model reference, barcode where relevant, batch, manufacturing date or period, manufacturer details, EU operator details and links to internal documents. This record becomes the source for your labels, instructions and online listings.
Good practice is to maintain a reliable link between the printed batch code and purchase orders, supplier invoices, inspection reports and dispatched units. You will then be better placed to answer a market-surveillance request. Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 on market surveillance and product compliance sets the framework for cooperation and controls concerning products on the EU market.
4. Draft useful warnings, then adapt the languages
Start with identified risks, available test results, technical limits and sector-specific rules. Use concrete wording. “Do not use near a heat source” is more useful than an isolated symbol where the consumer needs to understand the hazard.
Then check the languages needed in every destination country. National rules may specify expected languages or presentation requirements. If you are unsure, check with the competent authority in the country concerned or seek advice from a qualified professional.
5. Check the format before production and publication
Review the label at actual print size. Check contrast, marking durability, readability after the package is opened, and consistency between the product, instructions and online listing. A warning hidden beneath a price sticker or an address split across a packaging fold does not achieve its purpose.
Use this checklist before approving the artwork:
- The product has a reference, type, batch, serial number or equivalent identifier that enables traceability.
- The manufacturer’s name or registered trade mark is shown.
- A correct postal address and electronic contact address for the manufacturer are available.
- An EU responsible economic operator has been identified where the manufacturer is outside the EU.
- That operator’s details appear on the appropriate medium where the requirement applies.
- Warnings match the actual risks and foreseeable users.
- Instructions and warnings are available in the languages needed for the countries of sale.
- The online product listing includes the relevant safety and traceability information.
- The information is consistent with technical records, any certificates and supplier specifications.
What documents should you keep behind the label?
The label is the visible part of a wider file. You should be able to show that the information displayed is accurate and that the product has been assessed against its risks.
For a GPSR product not covered by specific sectoral legislation, keep at least a product description, risk assessment or analysis, traceability information, economic-operator details, evidence of checks carried out, approved instructions and warnings, and relevant correspondence with the manufacturer or supplier.
For a CE-marked product, documentation requirements depend on the applicable legislation. They may include a conformity assessment, technical file, test reports, an EU declaration of conformity and, for some products, involvement of a notified body. A GPSR responsible person or CE authorised representative does not replace the manufacturer’s obligations.
The CE technical documentation guide explains the records to assemble before placing a product on the market. If you are a non-EU manufacturer covered by CE legislation that permits an authorised representative, the CE authorised representative service requires a written mandate and does not replace your testing, conformity assessment, technical documentation or EU declaration of conformity.
The main cost is usually organisational: collecting supplier data, producing reliable translations, keeping label versions current and connecting every batch to supporting evidence. Review EU Seller Kit pricing and plans for available options; a SaaS subscription does not automatically appoint a representative.
Which mistakes most often lead to a blocked listing or inspection?
The most common failures are not caused by lack of space on a package. They arise when information is prepared too late or copied without reference to the actual product. The result can be a blocked listing, a document request, corrective action or market-surveillance scrutiny.
Confusing a delivery address, importer and responsible person
The address of a logistics provider, warehouse or marketplace is not automatically the address of the responsible operator. Each role depends on the supply chain and the obligations accepted. A common mistake is printing an EU address without a mandate, the entity’s agreement or the ability to handle authority requests.
Using a generic warning
“Caution” or “Use under supervision” is not enough where the specific risk is not explained. Conversely, adding irrelevant warnings can obscure the ones that matter. Your risk assessment should determine the content; use our GPSR risk assessment method to structure that work.
Forgetting consistency between packaging and listing
A product may be correctly labelled on arrival yet still fall short for distance sales if the listing does not show the required information before purchase. Equally, a complete listing does not fix missing traceability information on the product or packaging.
Assuming CE marking is enough
CE marking is the manufacturer’s declaration that a product meets applicable requirements under harmonised EU legislation. It is not a general safety label and does not automatically replace GPSR information, warnings, traceability or distance-selling obligations.
Which special cases should you plan for?
Some products carry several types of labelling. You need to organise the information without mixing legal regimes or removing useful statements simply to save space.
Textile products
Textiles must, among other requirements, comply with Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 on textile fibre names and related labelling. Fibre composition does not replace GPSR information. Add the necessary traceability details and warnings where the product falls within GPSR scope. See the EU textile labelling guide for composition and language rules.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are primarily governed by Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. They have their own labelling, responsible-person and notification requirements. Do not apply the GPSR model mechanically to cosmetics; instead, check the sector-specific requirements and our guide to selling cosmetics in Europe.
Packaging and sorting information
Product-safety labelling should not be confused with packaging obligations. Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste establishes an EU framework that develops according to the relevant provisions and their application timetable. National requirements may also apply, notably French sorting information. The French Triman and Info-tri guide helps separate those statements from GPSR labelling.
Imported products stored in several countries
Importing from China, the United States or Great Britain does not change the product-safety requirement, but it adds customs and VAT considerations. If you ship stock from Shenzhen to a German warehouse, check EORI, tariff classification, import formalities, VAT and product obligations separately. The HS classification assistant suggests candidate subheadings to confirm in the Combined Nomenclature or TARIC; it does not by itself determine labelling requirements.
Tools and services to take action
- EU Market Entry Compliance Assessment — Use this before your first shipment or entry into a new country to organise GPSR, CE, VAT, customs, packaging and product-data checks.
- GPSR Responsible Person (EU) — Consider this if you are a non-EU seller or manufacturer that needs an EU-established responsible economic operator; activation requires product review, entity assignment, a signed mandate and active payment.
- Marketplace Product Compliance Scanner — Use it before publishing or restoring an Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify or other marketplace listing to check traceability and safety information.
- EU compliance tools — Consult the tool catalogue when you also need to review HS classification, VAT, country-specific requirements or supplier information.
Frequently asked questions
Does the GPSR require a specific label or logo?
No. The GPSR does not impose a standard GPSR logo. It requires traceability information, identification of economic operators, and the warnings or instructions needed for product safety. The required format depends on the product, the available medium and any applicable sector-specific legislation.
Can I put the contact details only on the packaging?
Yes, where the product’s nature or size makes direct marking impractical, the Regulation allows the information to appear on the packaging or in a document accompanying the product. The chosen medium must still be accessible to the consumer and enable effective traceability.
Is an email address alone enough for the manufacturer?
No. The GPSR requires contact details that include both a postal address and an electronic address. A usable email address is necessary, but it does not replace identification of the entity or its postal address.
Must I show the GPSR responsible person on my Amazon listing?
Where the manufacturer is not established in the EU and an EU responsible operator is required, the relevant contact details must be available in the distance-sale offer under GPSR rules. Also check Amazon’s own fields and procedures, as a marketplace may require the information in its interface before publication.
Does CE marking replace GPSR warnings?
No. CE marking does not replace warnings, instructions, traceability information or distance-selling obligations. It records the manufacturer’s declared compliance with applicable harmonised rules, while safety information must remain appropriate to the product and its use.
Do I need to translate the whole label into every EU language?
No. The information must be understandable to consumers in the countries where you market the product. Check the languages required or expected in each destination Member State rather than automatically translating into every EU language.
Official sources
- Regulation (EU) 2023/988 — General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) — Sets GPSR duties on safety, traceability, economic operators and distance sales.
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 — market surveillance and compliance of products — Covers the EU framework for market surveillance, cooperation and product controls.
- Directive 2009/48/EC — safety of toys — Covers sector-specific requirements for toys.
- Directive 2014/53/EU — radio equipment — Covers requirements applicable to radio equipment.
- Your Europe — CE marking — Explains when CE marking is required and what it means.
- Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 — textile fibre names and labelling — Sets rules on textile fibre names and labelling.
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — cosmetic products — Sets the sector-specific obligations for cosmetic products.
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 — Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) — Provides the EU framework for packaging and packaging waste.
This content provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.