🧭 Practical guide · EU Seller Kit
A clear explanation for manufacturers, exporters and online sellers entering the European market.
Many manufacturers outside the European Union discover the GPSR through a very practical question:
💡 Who is the Responsible Person in the EU for my products?
A GPSR Responsible Person is not simply an EU address added to an Amazon listing. It is an economic operator established in the European Union that performs specific regulatory tasks for the products concerned.
🏢 What is the GPSR Responsible Person for?
Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2023/988 requires the relevant products to have an economic operator established in the EU responsible for the applicable tasks.
The purpose is practical: if a market-surveillance authority needs information or documentation, there must be an identifiable operator in the Union.
Depending on the supply chain, that operator may be:
- the manufacturer, if established in the EU;
- an EU importer;
- an authorised representative with an appropriate mandate;
- in certain situations, a fulfilment service provider.
⚠️ Important
The correct operator depends on the actual product and supply chain. A company should not appoint an external provider merely to obtain an EU address.
✅ Can a company be the GPSR Responsible Person?
Yes. The term “Responsible Person” does not mean the role must be held by an individual.
A legal entity, such as a company established in France or another EU Member State, can perform the role when the regulatory conditions are met.
This is especially relevant for manufacturers based in the United States, United Kingdom, China, Morocco, Canada or other non-EU countries.
📋 What are the main responsibilities?
The Responsible Person does not automatically certify the product. The manufacturer remains responsible for product safety and for the obligations assigned to the manufacturer.
The EU operator must nevertheless be able to perform the tasks required by the applicable framework, including documentation availability and cooperation with authorities.
✅ Practical checklist
- Identify the manufacturer correctly.
- Confirm the product category.
- Determine the applicable EU rules.
- Check that the required documentation exists.
- Be able to provide documents requested by an authority.
- Cooperate with market-surveillance authorities.
- Support corrective action where a product risk is identified.
- Check the contact details required on the product and online offer.
🛒 What must appear on an online product page?
For distance sales, Article 19 of the GPSR is particularly important.
When the manufacturer is not established in the EU, the online offer must include the name, postal address and electronic address of the Responsible Person, together with the required product identification and safety information.
💡 Key takeaway
A compliant physical label does not automatically make the online listing compliant. Amazon, Etsy, Shopify and other product pages must also be reviewed.
🌍 Example: a US manufacturer selling directly into Europe
A US brand sells home accessories in France, Germany and Spain.
Before appointing an external Responsible Person, it should review the actual supply chain.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is there an EU importer? | The importer may already be the relevant economic operator. |
| Has an authorised representative been appointed? | Its mandate may cover relevant tasks. |
| What type of product is it? | Sector-specific EU legislation may also apply. |
| Is CE marking relevant? | CE and GPSR obligations must be assessed separately. |
| Is the product sold online? | Article 19 becomes especially important. |
A compliance review should therefore start with the product, manufacturer and supply chain, not with the automatic purchase of a “GPSR address”.
📦 What should be reviewed before appointment?
A serious provider should not automatically accept every product.
Typical information may include:
- manufacturer identity;
- product descriptions and references;
- product and packaging photos;
- warnings and safety information;
- available technical documentation;
- relevant test reports;
- EU Declaration of Conformity where required;
- target countries and marketplaces.
✅ In summary
The GPSR Responsible Person is an EU-established economic operator performing the applicable regulatory tasks for the products concerned. A company can hold this role.
For non-EU manufacturers, the role is particularly visible in online sales because the relevant Responsible Person details must appear under the conditions set by Article 19.
Use the EU compliance diagnostic or review the GPSR Responsible Person service.