GPSR Compliance for Etsy Sellers:Complete Guide
GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) is EU law that took effect December 13, 2024. If you're an Etsy seller shipping to Europe, you must add manufacturer information and safety details to your listings. Non-EU sellers need an EU-based Responsible Person or risk having listings removed and shop suspension.
🇪🇺Quick Answer: What Is GPSR?
GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) is EU law that took effect December 13, 2024. If you're an Etsy seller shipping to Europe, you must add manufacturer information and safety details to your listings. Non-EU sellers need an EU-based Responsible Person or risk having listings removed and shop suspension.
Key Deadline:
GPSR only applies to products listed on or after December 13, 2024. Pre-existing listings are grandfathered in unless renewed.
Important: Even if you're based outside the EU (United States, Canada, Australia, etc.), you must comply if you sell to European customers.
What Is GPSR and Why It Matters for Etsy Sellers
Understanding the regulation and its impact on your business
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) replaced the old General Product Safety Directive on December 13, 2024. It's designed to ensure all consumer products sold in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Northern Ireland meet safety standards.
Why This Affects You
If you ship to EU countries and Etsy has designated you as a "trader" (meaning you registered as a business), GPSR compliance is mandatory. Etsy automatically flags sellers who:
- • Registered as a business with a government ID number
- • Are incorporated businesses on Etsy
- • Ship to buyers in the EEA or Northern Ireland
The Stakes:
Missing or incomplete compliance information can result in listings removed from Etsy, shop suspension from EU sales, or permanent account suspension for repeat violations.
Who Must Comply with GPSR?
Check if GPSR requirements apply to your Etsy shop
✅ You're Required to Comply If:
- You're a "trader" (business seller) on Etsy
- You manufacture, import, or distribute products
- You sell physical consumer goods (not food)
- Your products ship to EEA countries or Northern Ireland
❌ You May Be Exempt If:
- You only sell digital products
- You exclusively sell food items
- You're a hobby seller with minimal sales volume
- You listed products before December 13, 2024 and haven't renewed them
The 4 Core GPSR Requirements for Etsy Sellers
What you need to implement to stay compliant
📋 Manufacturer Information
Manufacturer's name, email address, and physical mailing address. Use your business info if you ARE the manufacturer.
🇪🇺 EU-Based Responsible Person
Required for non-EU manufacturers. Can be an Authorized Representative who must hold technical documentation and cooperate with EU authorities.
⚠️ Product Safety Information
Age restrictions (if applicable), choking hazard warnings, material safety information, usage instructions and CE marking.
📁 Technical Documentation
Product specifications, risk assessments, test reports and certificates. Keep for 10 years minimum.
Etsy Partner Services
Etsy has partnered with Cert-Rep and International Associates to help sellers appoint Authorized Representatives. These services typically cost $200-600/year.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Your Etsy Listings GPSR Compliant
Your complete implementation roadmap
Determine If You're a "Trader"
Check your Etsy account status to see if GPSR applies to you.
- • Go to Etsy Shop Manager → Settings → Info & Appearance
- • Check if your account is registered as a business
- • If yes, GPSR applies to you for EU sales
- • If unsure, contact Etsy support for clarification
Add an EU Economic Operator (If Outside EU)
Non-EU sellers must appoint an EU-based representative.
- • Option A: Use Etsy partner services (Cert-Rep or International Associates)
- • Option B: Find your own EU-based Authorized Representative
- • Typical costs range from $200-600/year
- • Get their contact details for your listings
Update Your Listings
Add required compliance information to each listing shipping to EU.
- • Go to Listing Manager and click "Edit" on each listing
- • Scroll to the new "Product Safety" section
- • Fill in manufacturer name, email, and address
- • Add EU Responsible Person details (if applicable)
- • Complete product safety warnings and information
- • Save changes
Organize Your Documentation
Maintain required records for compliance verification.
- • Create a folder for product specifications
- • Save supplier communications and safety certificates
- • Keep test results and sales records
- • Maintain documentation for minimum 10 years
Set Up Monitoring
Stay informed and maintain ongoing compliance.
- • Subscribe to Etsy Seller News for GPSR updates
- • Set calendar reminders for quarterly compliance reviews
- • Monitor customer feedback for safety concerns
- • Prepare an incident response plan
Common GPSR Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌Don't Do This
- •Leave compliance fields blank — Etsy can remove listings or suspend shops with missing details
- •Use your own address for everything — US-based sellers can't act as their own EU Responsible Person
- •Ignore documentation requirements — authorities can request proof of safety compliance anytime
- •Assume you're exempt because you're small — GPSR applies to all "trader" sellers regardless of size
- •Renew old listings without updating — renewed listings must include GPSR compliance information
- •Work with suppliers who won't provide manufacturer info — find compliant suppliers
- •Delay compliance — the longer you wait, the more listings you'll need to update in a rush
✅Do This Instead
- •Fill out all compliance fields completely — even if you're gathering information, add what you have
- •Appoint an actual EU-based representative — if you're outside the EU, use a legitimate EU address
- •Keep documentation organized — emails from suppliers, test certificates, and product specs
- •Comply rather than pause EU sales — the long-term benefit outweighs the short-term effort
- •Update renewed listings — before renewing old listings, add GPSR compliance information
- •Treat handmade items as requiring compliance — GPSR applies to all consumer products, including handmade
- •Contact suppliers immediately — get manufacturer details from your suppliers as soon as possible
Does GPSR Apply to Your Products?
Product categories subject to GPSR requirements
✅ Products That Require GPSR Compliance:
- Jewelry and accessories
- Clothing and textiles
- Toys and children's products
- Home decor items
- Electronics and gadgets
- Beauty and personal care products (non-ingestible)
- Pet accessories
- Craft supplies intended for consumers
❌ Products Generally Exempt:
- Digital downloads and printables
- Food and beverages
- Antiques (over 50 years old)
- Items sold for repair or reconditioning only
When in doubt: Treat your product as requiring compliance. It's better to over-comply than face enforcement action.
What Happens If You Don't Comply?
Understanding the risks of non-compliance
Immediate Consequences
Listing removal, shop suspension from EU sales, or account closure for repeated violations
Long-Term Risks
EU authority fines, mandatory product recalls and refunds, and reputational damage from public safety notices
Financial Impact
Compliance cost ($200-600/year) is far less than the cost of non-compliance and lost EU market access
Bottom Line: The cost of compliance ($200-600/year for most sellers) is far less than the cost of non-compliance.
GPSR Compliance: The Numbers
How Much Does GPSR Compliance Cost?
Budget planning for EU compliance
DIY Compliance (EU-Based Sellers)
$0-50/year
- • Fill out Etsy's forms (free)
- • Maintain documentation (free or minimal)
- • Optional consultation with compliance expert
Authorized Representative Services
$200-600/year
- • Basic packages: $200-300/year (document holding, basic compliance)
- • Standard packages: $300-450/year (ongoing monitoring, platform support)
- • Premium packages: $450-600/year (priority support, multi-regulation coverage)
Caution:
If using family, friends, or virtual office services as informal representatives, ensure they understand their legal responsibilities. If products cause harm, they're liable alongside you.
Take Action: Your 30-Minute GPSR Compliance Plan
Break compliance into manageable time blocks
Right Now (5 minutes):
- 1. Check if you're designated as a "trader" in Shop Manager
- 2. Count how many active listings ship to EU
This Week (15 minutes):
- 3. Research Authorized Representative services (if non-EU)
- 4. Contact suppliers for manufacturer information
- 5. Sign up with an Authorized Representative or EU partner
This Month (10 minutes):
- 6. Update all active listings with GPSR information
- 7. Organize compliance documentation
- 8. Set quarterly review reminder
Total Time Investment: About 30 minutes upfront, 15 minutes quarterly for maintenance
Compare that to rebuilding your business after shop suspension or losing EU sales permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GPSR compliance for Etsy sellers.
Beyond Etsy: Other Marketplaces with GPSR Requirements
GPSR applies across all EU sales channels
GPSR isn't just an Etsy requirement—it applies across all EU sales channels:
- Amazon EU: Requires GPSR compliance for products shipped to EU
- eBay EU: Enforcing GPSR for business sellers
- Your own website: If you ship to EU customers, GPSR applies
- Social media shops: Instagram, Facebook shops must comply
The good news: Once you're GPSR compliant for Etsy, you're compliant everywhere.
Final Thoughts
Your path to confident EU sales
GPSR compliance seems complicated at first, but it breaks down into simple steps:
- 1. Appoint an EU Responsible Person (if needed)
- 2. Fill out Etsy's product safety fields
- 3. Keep documentation organized
Most Etsy sellers complete full compliance in under 2 hours. The annual cost ($200-600 for Authorized Representatives) is a fraction of what you'd lose from suspended EU sales.
The EU market represents 447 million potential customers.
Don't let compliance paperwork keep you from accessing it. Start with one listing today. Update the manufacturer information and product safety fields. Then move to the next. Before you know it, you'll be fully compliant—and positioned to grow your EU sales with confidence.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. GPSR regulations and Etsy policies may change. Always review current EU regulations and Etsy's prohibited items policy before listing. Consult with legal and compliance professionals for specific guidance related to your products and markets.
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