GPSR Amazon: essential guide for Sellers

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is now in effect as of December 13, 2024, impacting all Amazon sellers in the EU and Northern Ireland. This regulation ensures that all non-food consumer products sold meet stricter safety standards and requirements. For Amazon sellers, understanding GPSR is critical to maintaining compliance and avoiding penalties. Here’s a more detailed and comprehensive version of  the definition, differences, and importance of GPSR for sellers.

What is GPSR Amazon?

Definition of GPSR Amazon

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) aims to ensure that all non-food consumer products sold in the European Union (EU) and Northern Ireland meet the highest safety standards. GPSR replaces the previous General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) and strengthens the legal framework for product safety across the region. The regulation applies to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and online marketplaces like Amazon, reinforcing the responsibility of each party in the supply chain to ensure that products are safe for consumers. For Amazon sellers, GPSR introduces stricter requirements for product documentation, labeling, safety warnings, and traceability.

Differences Between GPSR Amazon and previous regulations

The GPSR differs from the previous GPSD in several significant ways:

1. Broader Product Coverage: GPSR applies to a wider range of consumer goods, including products sold on e-commerce platforms like Amazon. This ensures online marketplaces are held to the same safety standards as physical stores.
2. Clearer Accountability: GPSR clearly outlines the responsibilities for sellers, vendors, manufacturers, and distributors. Each party in the supply chain must ensure products meet safety requirements. Non-compliance at any stage can lead to penalties.
3. Stricter Traceability Requirements: Products must have batch numbers, serial numbers, or other identifiers. Sellers and vendors must also provide the contact details of the Responsible Person within the EU or Northern Ireland. This helps regulators quickly trace products in case of safety issues.
4. Enhanced Labeling Standards: Labels must now include detailed safety information. This includes warnings, usage instructions, and Responsible Person contact details. All information must be in the local language of the market where the product is sold.
5. Focus on Online Marketplaces: Platforms like Amazon are responsible for ensuring third-party sellers comply with GPSR. Amazon may request compliance documentation and remove non-compliant products.
6. Mandatory Responsible Person: Sellers and vendors must designate a Responsible Person located in the EU or Northern Ireland. This person ensures products meet safety standards and acts as a contact point for authorities.

Importance of GPSR Amazon for Sellers and Vendors

Compliance with GPSR is not optional for Amazon sellers and vendors. It is a legal requirement for selling products in the EU and Northern Ireland. Ignoring GPSR can lead to serious consequences, such as:

• Product Removals: Amazon may delist non-compliant products from the marketplace. This leads to lost sales and potential damage to your brand.

• Account Suspensions: Failure to meet GPSR requirements can result in your Amazon account being suspended. This disrupts your business operations.

• Financial Penalties: Regulatory authorities can impose fines for non-compliance. These penalties can be costly and harm your profitability.

• Legal Liability: If a non-compliant product causes harm, you could face legal action. This damages your reputation and incurs additional costs.

The role of the responsible person in GPSR Amazon

Under GPSR, sellers and vendors must designate a Responsible Person within the EU or Northern Ireland. This individual or entity ensures that products comply with safety requirements and acts as a contact point for authorities in case of safety issues. The Responsible Person’s contact information must be included on product labels.

GPSR Amazon compliance requirements

Warning and safety information

Under GPSR, ensuring your products carry clear and accurate safety warnings is essential to protect consumers and remain compliant. These warnings must be provided in the official language of each country where the product is sold. For example, if you are selling in Spain, the warnings and instructions must be in Spanish. The text should be legible, with an appropriate font size and color contrast to ensure visibility. Placement is also crucial—warnings should appear on the product, its packaging, or accompanying instructions so customers see them before use. Warnings must be specific to potential hazards associated with the product. This could include choking hazards, electrical dangers, or chemical exposure risks. Providing accurate and complete safety information helps with compliance and builds trust with consumers. Failure to provide proper warnings can lead to product removal, financial penalties, or account suspensions.

Submission requirements

Sellers and vendors must provide detailed product information through Amazon Seller Central or Vendor Central to verify GPSR compliance. This submission process involves supplying accurate product descriptions, including information about the materials used, intended use, and key features. In addition to descriptions, sellers need to upload essential safety documentation. This includes safety certificates, test reports, and declarations of conformity to confirm the product meets all GPSR standards. Including traceability information such as batch numbers or serial numbers is mandatory, as it helps quickly identify products in the event of a safety recall or issue. A critical part of the submission is the contact information for the Responsible Person based in the EU or Northern Ireland. This person ensures compliance and acts as the main point of contact for regulatory authorities. To streamline the process for multiple products, consider using Amazon’s bulk upload tools or the Listings API, which can save time and reduce errors.

Safety attestation

The safety attestation is a key document that formally declares your product complies with GPSR standards. To complete this attestation, you must first conduct the necessary safety tests and ensure the product meets all applicable safety requirements. This might involve electrical safety tests, chemical composition analyses, or physical hazard assessments, depending on the product type. Once testing is complete, prepare a document that consolidates the test results, conformity assessments, and any relevant safety certificates. Keeping these records organized and easily accessible is crucial, as Amazon or regulatory authorities may request them at any time. If there are any changes to your product design, materials, or manufacturing process, the safety attestation must be updated accordingly. Outdated documentation can result in compliance failures, leading to product delisting or account suspension. Staying proactive with documentation helps ensure smooth operations and compliance with GPSR.

  

Proving GPSR Amazon compliance

Demonstrating compliance with GPSR Amazon is crucial for maintaining your ability to sell products in the EU and Northern Ireland. Amazon provides tools to help you manage and prove compliance efficiently.

Account health page for compliance proof

The account health page in Seller Central and Vendor Central serves as your primary tool for tracking compliance status.

• Upload compliance documents: Submit essential documents like safety attestations, test reports, and declarations of conformity. Ensure these are accurate and up to date.

• Monitor compliance status: Regularly check the status of your listings. The page highlights any products with compliance issues that need immediate action.

• Resolve issues quickly: Follow the instructions on flagged items to avoid product removals or account suspensions. Keeping documentation organized will help you respond promptly to Amazon’s requests.

JSON listings feeds and API support

For sellers managing large inventories, JSON listings feeds and the listings items API help streamline compliance submissions.

• Automate submissions: Use the API to submit compliance data like safety warnings and responsible person details programmatically.

• Batch updates: JSON feeds allow you to update multiple listings at once, saving time and reducing errors.

• Real-time validation: The API provides instant feedback on submissions, helping you correct errors quickly to maintain compliance.

Amazon freight delivery

What is Amazon arranged freight delivery?

Amazon arranged freight delivery is a service where Amazon coordinates the transportation of your products from your warehouse to their fulfillment centers. This service is particularly useful for sellers and vendors handling large shipments or bulk inventory. By using Amazon’s freight delivery service, you benefit from streamlined logistics, consistent shipping practices, and better tracking. Amazon’s freight delivery ensures that your shipments meet the platform’s standards for safety, traceability, and efficiency. This can simplify the shipping process and reduce the likelihood of errors that could lead to non-compliance with GPSR Amazon. It also helps ensure that products are handled properly, minimizing the risk of damage during transit.

How the Amazon partner carrier program supports compliance

The Amazon partner carrier program provides a network of pre-approved carriers who adhere to Amazon’s shipping and compliance standards. Using this program helps sellers and vendors ensure their shipments meet GPSR requirements for safety, traceability, and documentation. By selecting a carrier from Amazon’s partner network, you benefit from:

• Reliable compliance: Partner carriers are vetted by Amazon and follow established guidelines to ensure your products are transported safely and in line with GPSR standards.

• Accurate tracking: The program offers comprehensive tracking, helping you maintain visibility over your shipments and ensuring they arrive at fulfillment centers on time.

• Simplified documentation: Partner carriers assist with the necessary shipping documentation, such as bills of lading and shipment manifests, reducing the risk of missing information.

• Reduced risk of delays: Compliance with Amazon’s shipping standards helps avoid delays or product rejections at fulfillment centers, ensuring your inventory stays active and available for sale.

Using the Amazon partner carrier program helps streamline your freight operations and supports your overall compliance with GPSR Amazon. This proactive approach minimizes risks and helps maintain smooth business operations. Is your Amazon business ready for the new GPSR requirements? Our free audit reviews your product listings to identify compliance gaps, safety documentation issues, and areas for improvement. Avoid penalties, ensure your listings meet safety standards, and stay ahead of the competition. Request your free audit today and streamline your compliance process with Epinium! —> —> —> —> —> —> —> —> —>

Preparing for the implementation

Complying with GPSR Amazon requires preparation, attention to detail, and a proactive approach. By following these steps, avoiding common pitfalls, and understanding the potential impact, sellers and vendors can ensure smooth operations and avoid compliance-related issues.

Steps to ensure compliance

For Amazon sellers

1.Access the compliance dashboard Go to Seller Central → performance → account health → manage your compliance to see GPSR-related issues. This dashboard helps you track compliance status and identify any pending requirements. 2. Download the compliance template In Seller Central → inventory → add products via upload, download the pre-filled template for your ASINs. For new products, download a blank template. 3. Fill out compliance information Complete the compliance and safety sections in the template. Add the responsible person’s details, safety warnings, and traceability information such as batch numbers. Ensure warnings are in the official language of the target market. 4. Upload compliance documents Upload necessary documents (PDFs or images) via the image manager in Seller Central. Ensure filenames follow Amazon’s format guidelines (e.g., ASIN.PS01). 5. Monitor and verify Submit your updated listings and track progress in the account health page. Amazon typically reviews submissions within 7 business days. Address flagged issues promptly to avoid disruptions.

For Amazon vendors

1. Download the pre-filled template Go to Vendor Central → menu → items → catalog. Select your ASINs (up to 250 at a time) and download the pre-filled template.
2. Complete compliance fields Fill out the compliance and safety sections. Include the responsible person’s email, country of origin, and location of compliance documents. Double-check fields marked in red for accuracy.
3. Upload the template Submit the completed template via bulk product submissions in Vendor Central. Ensure all required fields are correctly filled to avoid delays.
4. Check for errors Review your submissions carefully. Keep all compliance documents organized and readily available in case Amazon requests further verification.

Common pitfalls to avoid

1. Incomplete documentation Missing safety certificates, test reports, or responsible person details can lead to product delistings or account suspensions. Ensure all documents are accurate and up to date.
2. Incorrect or incomplete labeling Labels must include the responsible person’s contact information, batch numbers, and safety warnings. Labels should be in the local language of each marketplace where you sell.
3. Ignoring deadlines GPSR compliance is mandatory as of December 13, 2024. Failing to meet this deadline can result in serious consequences, such as account suspensions or fines.
4. Outdated product information If product specifications, materials, or manufacturing processes change, update your listings and compliance documents promptly to avoid non-compliance.
5. Neglecting regular audits Conduct regular audits of your product listings to catch and correct compliance issues early. Staying proactive helps maintain a seamless selling experience.

Impact on sellers

The implementation of GPSR Amazon has significant implications for sellers and vendors. Non-compliance can lead to:

• Product removals from the Amazon marketplace.

• Account suspensions that disrupt business operations.

• Financial penalties imposed by regulatory authorities.

However, achieving compliance can also be beneficial. It demonstrates a commitment to consumer safety, which builds trust and credibility with customers. Compliance can give you a competitive edge over sellers who fail to meet the new standards. By preparing effectively and addressing potential pitfalls, you can ensure continued success and smooth operations on Amazon.

eBay GPSR vs. GPSR Amazon: what sellers need to know

Both eBay and Amazon sellers must comply with GPSR when selling products in the EU and Northern Ireland. However, each platform handles the compliance process differently. On eBay, sellers often need to manually upload compliance documentation for each product listing. This can be time-consuming, especially for large inventories. eBay offers more flexibility in documentation formats, but sellers are responsible for keeping up with platform-specific guidelines. In contrast, Amazon provides automated tools to streamline GPSR compliance. Sellers can use the account health page, bulk upload templates, or the listings items API to update their compliance details more efficiently. Amazon also pre-fills templates to save time.

Key differences

• Automation vs. manual work: Amazon offers more automated tools, while eBay relies more on manual processes.

• Monitoring and enforcement: Amazon actively monitors compliance and enforces it strictly, often resulting in delisted products or account suspensions for non-compliance.

• Support resources: Amazon provides dashboards, APIs, and templates to assist with compliance, whereas eBay offers simpler, manual processes.

Understanding these differences allows sellers to manage GPSR compliance more effectively on each platform, minimizing risks and maintaining smooth operations.

Simplify your compliance process with Epinium

Managing compliance for your Amazon listings can be a complex and time-consuming task. Epinium offers a streamlined solution to help you meet all safety and regulatory requirements efficiently. Our AI-powered platform allows you to:

• Automate documentation updates to save time and reduce errors.

• Manage bulk uploads easily with intuitive tools.

• Stay compliant with the latest regulations using real-time insights and alerts.

Epinium helps you focus on growing your business while ensuring your products meet compliance standards. Try Epinium free for 7 days and discover how our AI can optimize your compliance processes and boost your efficiency! —> —> —> —> —> —> —> —> —>