General Product Safety
Services according to General Product Safety Directive
Certification Experts is your full-service compliance partner and helps you to demonstrate the conformity of your products according to General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) 2001/95/EC and General Product Safety Regulations (GSPR) (EU) No 1025/2012. With over 25 years of experience, our team of experts will guide you in obtaining access to the European market.
Who We Serve
Trust our team of experts in applying the General Product Safety Directive
General Product Safety
While the CE marking process demonstrates the safety of products and compliance with European legislation, this is not applicable to every product. For products that do not fall within the CE guidelines or regulations, there are alternative requirements that must be met. These requirements have been drawn up in the general product safety directive 2001/95/EC (GPSD) or are stated in specific legislation such as the Cosmetic Products Regulation, Food Contact Materials Regulation, etc. In these cases, it is therefore prohibited to affix the CE mark to these products. The GPSD has been designed to guarantee the safety of those products that do not fall within the domain of CE marking before they can be placed on the European market and/or used. For products for which specific directives and/or regulations already exist regarding the guarantee of safety, the general product safety directive only applies to the aspects of risks and risk categories that are not described in those specific directives and/or regulations.
The future of the GPS
According to the European Commission (EC), the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) is outdated. It has therefore been proposed to reform the GPSD through a new regulation. The proposal of the new regulation focuses on the safety of products in relation to new technology and the risks created by the growth of online sales. This should ensure more efficient and uniform market surveillance and make the recall of dangerous products easier. If the proposal of the General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) (EU) No 1025/2012 is adopted by the European Council and the European Parliament, it will replace the current GPSD.
At this point, however, you will still need to adhere to the current GPSD. Which means that you as a company are obliged to:
- Only market products whose safety has been proven
- Inform the customer about possible risks associated with the use of this product
At Certification Experts we can help you realise these obligations and support you in demonstrating the safety of your product. Additionally, you will have to ensure that products that potentially form a risk can be traced when they are placed on the market so that they can be removed if they do pose a risk to users.
Full-service product compliance
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Impact of GPS for you as a company
In addition to better consumer protection, there are also many benefits for you as a company thanks to the GPSD:
- Stricter responsibilities throughout the supply chain provide more equal opportunities for companies operating in the EU, for both online and offline trade.
- There is better enforcement of product safety rules and market surveillance.
- There is a more even application of product safety rules.
- There is more legal certainty through clearer rules and companies are supported in their process to comply with them.
What Certification Experts can offer
Certification Experts offers a range of services to help businesses comply with the General Product Safety Directive and Regulation. They provide product compliance procedures, risk assessment, documentation support, and other GPSD services. We also assist with Quality Management Systems, global market access, and industry-specific certifications, such as machinery, electronics and medical devices. Certification Experts’ expertise and commitment ensure that products meet safety standards and regulatory requirements, protecting consumers and facilitating market access.
Check out our Services
Click on the service blocks below to find out more about what our experts can do for you to reach compliance with the EU General Product Safety Regulation.
GPSD General Product Safety Directive
Certification Experts can offer a variety of services related to the EU General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), which aims to ensure the safety of consumer products placed on the market within the European Union. The GPSD has been designed to guarantee the safety of those products that do not fall within the domain of CE marking before they can be placed on the European market and/or used. For products for which specific directives and/or regulations already exist regarding the guarantee of safety, the general product safety directive only applies to the aspects of risks and risk categories that are not described in those specific directives and/or regulations.
- Justification General Safety Directive/Regulation
- Technical Documentation
- Conformity Assessment Procedures
- Risk Assessment and Safety Evaluation
- Testing and Evaluation
- User Information and Labeling
- Declaration of Compliance
- Recall Procedures
Declaration of Compliance
While the Declaration of Conformity serves as an official document linked to CE marking and adherence to precise directives and regulations, the Declaration of Compliance is an optional statement that focuses more broadly on the safety of consumer products, often aligning with the General Product Safety Directive. Certification Experts has both the knowledge and international experience to help you draw up a suitable Declaration of Compliance for your product, thereby ensuring that your product is safe and will be able to enter the market.
- Determine specific Declaration of Compliance requirements
- Determine applicable standards
- Collect all necessary product information
- Draw up the Declaration of Compliance
Technical File
A Technical File contains relevant information that should demonstrate that your product complies with the essential requirements as stated in the relevant directives and/or regulations. It is a mandatory component of demonstrating the conformity of your product. As your full-service compliance partner, Certification Experts can assist you in gathering all necessary information and preparing and composing the Technical File.
- Evaluating, guiding and providing instructions for use
- Evaluating, guiding and preparing Risk Assessment
- Assemble Technical File
- Drafting the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) template
- Review user information
Risk Assessment
The European Product Legislation requires manufacturers to incorporate a risk assessment of potential risks associated with their equipment into their technical file. As stated in the directive an ‘adequate analysis and assessment of the risk(s)’ is required Certification Expert provides full guidance and execution of this requirement.
- Execution of the risk assessment
- Guidance in performing a risk assessment
- Product testing and evaluation
- Training in risk assessment and use of Safexpert software
- Safexpert risk assessment software (TÜV certified)
Product Testing
Product compliance often requires product testing, a requirement determined by applicable legislation. Certification Experts specializes in product testing, offering in-house, on-site, and partner test lab solutions.
Our most common testing:
- EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility)
- Low Voltage / electrical safety
- RoHS
- Radio Equipment
- Medical
- Toys
- Machinery
- ATEX
- Safety
Information and warnings for the end users
Certification Experts can provide help with the following to ensure that your manuals, labelling and packaging are fully compliant with your chosen markets.
- Checklists
- Product labelling
- Templates
- Drafting Manuals
- Machine plate
Recall Procedures GPSD
A recall procedure based on the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) is a structured process for removing or correcting consumer products that pose a risk to the health and safety of consumers. The GPSD is a European Union directive that sets out general safety requirements for consumer products, and it places an emphasis on monitoring and taking corrective actions when unsafe products are identified. Certification Experts help businesses to navigate the complex process of product recalls in compliance with the GPSD, ensuring the safety of consumers and legal adherence.
- Assistance in developing a comprehensive recall plan
- Expert guidance on ensuring that the recall process complies with GPSD and any other relevant regulations
- Liaison with authorities
All the answers you might need!
The GPSD is the current directive in place, while the GPSR (General Product Safety Regulations) is a proposed reform by the European Commission to update the legislation and address new challenges.
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) 2023/988, effective from June 12, 2023, is designed to address evolving societal changes affecting consumer product safety. It adapts to increasing digitalization, technological advancements, and global supply chains. The aim is to ensure the safety of all consumer products on the EU market, both offline and online.
The regulation achieves this by:
- Considering factors like product evolution and interconnectivity in safety assessments.
- Improving product safety conditions between online and offline sales.
- Implementing specific safety requirements for online marketplaces to protect consumers from hazardous products.
- Extending the requirement for non-harmonized products imported to the EU to have a responsible economic operator in the EU.
- Empowering national authorities with enhanced enforcement capabilities.
- Ensuring effective product recalls by facilitating direct consumer contact and standardized recall notices.
Notably, Directives 87/357/EEC and 2001/95/EC are repealed, effective from December 13, 2024.
The GPSD is a European Union directive that sets out general safety requirements for consumer products. It does not require the use of the CE mark. Instead, it focuses on the general safety of consumer products placed on the market, emphasizing risk assessment, monitoring, and corrective actions in case of safety concerns. The GPSD is not limited to specific product categories and is applicable to a wide range of consumer goods.
The GPSD applies to consumer products that are not covered by specific EU directives or regulations regarding safety, ensuring the general safety of these products before they can be placed on the European market.
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