On May 23, 2023, the European Commission approved the implementation of the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988. This regulatory measure, set to take effect on June 12, 2023, aims to strengthen consumer protection and establish robust safety standards for consumer products in the European Union (EU).
General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988
The new General Product Safety Regulation is designed to enforce the entry of only safe products into the European Union market.
Various factors will be taken into consideration to determine whether or not a product is safe, including:
- Characteristics and functions of the products, including their design, technical features, composition, and more.
- Whether the product will be used with other products.
- The effect other products might have on the assessed product.
- The product’s labelling includes age suitability for children, warnings and instructions for use, and more.
- The categories of consumers using the product.
- The appearance of the product, especially in cases where:
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- Products that are not foodstuff but may be mistaken for food and pose a risk of ingestion, especially by children.
- Products not intended for children but may still be used by them due to their design, packaging or characteristics.
- Cybersecurity features.
- The product’s evolving, learning and predictive functionalities.
Compliance with Standards
Products that conform to relevant European harmonized standards or national requirements (in the absence of harmonized standards) will be presumed to meet the safety requirements outlined in the General Product Safety Regulation.
Transition and Enforcement of the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988
Full enforcement of the General Product Safety Regulation will commence on December 13, 2024, following an 18-month transition period. The existing General Product Safety Directive (Directive 2001/95/EC) will be repealed upon enforcement. Products that comply with the General Product Safety Directive can be placed on the market until December 13, 2024.
Click here to read the full Regulation.
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