The EU’s New General Product Safety Regulation: What Indian Businesses Can Expect

Coming into force from December 13th, 2024 onwards, the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is set to revamp the EU’s non-food consumer product market.

The GPS Regulation will replace a 23-year-old Directive which goes by the same name. With this shift from “Directive” to “Regulation”, the EU aims to set higher, more streamlined standards of safety for every general product that enters the markets of its member states.  

The EU’s primary aim with this Regulation is to address the challenges born out of today’s digitalized world. GPSR will bring in a whole new list of obligations that need to be fulfilled by manufacturers. This is particularly applicable to those enterprises that sell digital products or operate on online platforms from anywhere in the world, who will now be subjected to unprecedented levels of regulation. Therefore, GPSR is very crucial for all non-food consumer product businesses, regardless of whether they are based in Europe or not. 

For Indian exporters, the GPSR demands rigorous documentation and transparency across supply chains. They must provide clear product traceability, ensuring that the origin of raw materials and manufacturing processes is well-documented. They will also have to create more robust systems for product recalls, risk assessments, and real-time consumer notifications about safety issues.

Additionally, the Regulation also requires EU-based representatives for non-EU manufacturers. This means that Indian companies must either set up local offices or appoint agents, hiking up logistical and financial stakes. To stay competitive, they will have to adopt advanced compliance technologies, collaborate with EU partners, and train staff in the new regulatory framework. This transition is vital but undeniably challenging.

At Europe India Centre for Business and Industry (EICBI), we believe we can play a pivotal role in assisting Indian businesses in understanding and adapting to GPSR by leveraging our expertise and network in the EU-India corridor.  With our guidance, Indian businesses can ensure smoother market entry and sustained success in the EU.