Hello There
Long time no blog. It’s been a busy few weeks here at Panda Motion Designs, hence why there hasn’t been much blog posting lately.
I am posting about something important today that will have an affect on my business and many other micro/small businesses out there. The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), a new EU regulation that will take affect on December 13th 2024. I only recently learned about this regulation thanks to my fellow users on Threads and it will have a big affect on who and where I can sell my products.
In a nutshell, it means, that as of 13th December 2024, I will not be able to sell to anyone in the EU. Via either my website or Etsy.
Let’s take a look at it in some bitesize pieces. As of November 2024, there is surprisingly very little information about it so I will shut my shop to EU buyers just to safe until things are made clearer. If it does I will post updates to this blog.
*Updated: 26/20/2025
Updated: 09/01/2025
Updated: 17/12/2024
What is GPSR?
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), aims to ensure the sale of safe products to customers/buyers in the European Union (EU) and Northern Ireland (NI). Both new and second hand products. There are specific rules/regulations that must be followed by businesses/individuals that sell to the EU & NI regarding product safety.
What Are These Specific Rules/Regulations?
Good question. This is where it starts to get confusing, but will try my best to explain.
To comply with this new regulation you must have the following information included on your labels and invoices:
- Manufactures name and contact information
- Name and contact information of a nominated authorised EU representative if your business is not based in the EU
- Relevant product information (pictures, model number, etc)
- Product safety compliance information in the local language (E.g. Warning labels and safety information)
- CE label if required
Are There Any Exemptions?
GPSR applies to all non-food products. The following is excluded:
- Medicinal products
- Food and feed products
- Living animals and plants
- Genetically modified organisms and microorganisms
- Animal by-products
- Plant protection products, also referred to as pesticides
- Plant and animal products related to their reproduction
- Antiques
- Certain types of aircraft
- Travel equipment operated by a service provider to transport consumers
- Products that need to be repaired, reconditioned, or recycled prior to being used and are clearly marked as such
This list was copy and pasted from eBay.
This list is somewhat vague and many are confused as to whether or not their product falls under this list or not. Sadly, non of my products fall under any of these exemptions.
***Updated 17/12/2024***
I have seen some people saying or have been advised; that anything made before the 13th December 2024 is exempt from GPSR. Now I am not sure how accurate this is as it’s still very unclear in the rules. For now I am airing on the side of caution
***Updated 09/01/2025***
Digital products ARE NOT EXEMPT from GPSR. Etsy confirmed this in the seller handbook but they are awaiting further clarification
Does This Affect my UK Based Business?
If you are based in England, Scotland or Wales, and any other country that is not a member of the EU, then yes it will affect you. If you are based in Northern Ireland it won’t affect you as NI is still considered part of the EU as it has stayed within the single market.
You will not be able to sell anything to the EU or Northern Ireland, unless you follow and comply with the regulations. Mostly, appointing an European Authorized Representative (E.A.R) will have the biggest impact. You won’t need one if your business is based within the EU but it is a requirement for anyone outside the EU.
And, they are not cheap. I have seen people quoted hundreds, even thousands of pounds (GBP) and it’s just not financial viable for me to appoint one when it will cost me a lot more than I actually make in sales in a year.
How do I Appoint an E.A.R?
eBay has a list of companies in it’s FAQs about GPSR. It is a good place to start.
What Happens if I Do Not Comply?
That’s up to you if you don’t wish to comply. I have seen many on social media decide that they will take the risk.
You may be faced with fines, product recall and even being banned. If you have a marketplace shop such as Etsy then Etsy will shut your shop down or suspend you.
For me personally it isn’t worth the risk. I will changing my delivery profiles on Etsy soon to prevent my shop from being seen by anyone in the EU in time for 13th December, my website will follow suit soon after. There is a grace period, but it’s not clear as to how long that grace period is.
What About Northern Ireland?
Lets add more confusion into the mix. As Northern Ireland is part of the single market in the EU (They use Euros as well) it still falls under the GPSR, same as mainland Europe. Despite it being a member of the UK. Confused? Yup you’re not the only one.
What is also adding to the confusion are some delivery profiles on marketplace sites are not separating NI as it’s own separate profile. One being Etsy adding to the confusion. This is making it very difficult to remove NI as a place you can’t deliver to as it falls under “UK” profiles, making it very difficult to be compliant. I am going to be watching the situation on Etsy, as I simply cannot remove UK from my delivery profile as I ship mostly to UK and USA.
Once I have an update I will post an update on here.
***UPDATE – 17/12/2024***
On 13th December (the day GPSR came into affect) Etsy made an announcement on the Seller Handbook concerning selling digital products and having the option to remove Northern Ireland as a option to ship to. In a nutshell, they are looking into it and plan to have an update on delivery profiles and digital products on 31st December 2024. I’m not sure why they have taken so long but hopefully this is going in the right direction.
Current advice is to cancel orders that come in. Which is not particularly helpful.
***UPDATE – 09/01/2024***
Etsy made an updated announcement over the holidays. The latest is they are planning on making the changes to allow the option to not sell to Northern Ireland in the delivery settings. This option will be for both digital and physical products being sold on Etsy. However, they won’t be starting to make these changes until the end of February 2025
***UPDATE – 26/02/2025***
Etsy has finally updated seller profiles and the option to sell or not to sell to EU and NI is now available. It can be found under Settings > Options on your Etsy Seller profile.
I Have Ordered from Your Shop before December 13th and I have an Issue, Can I still contact you?
Any items sold to the EU before 13th December are exempt for a certain period of time (the grace period which isn’t clear how long the grace period is) I will be able to send out before 13th December when this takes affect.
I believe this also covers any replacements I send for damaged or lost items. So don’t worry but please get in touch ASAP. Either via Etsy or email pandamotions@gmail.com
Until Next Time…
So in conclusion…I will not be selling to EU countries or Northern Ireland as of 13th December 2024. I will be updating my Etsy delivery profiles next week. This is just an awful regulation, especially at one of the busiest times of year for many micro/small businesses. I understand it, safety is important especially with some dodgy sellers out there but this particular regulation is making it more difficult than necessary. Hoping things will become clearer as time goes on and I may be able to sell again.
It’s extremely frustrating, and it’s not been the best year for profits either. I am hoping that as the regulation gets ‘older’ they will make adjustments to take businesses that are run by one person like Panda Motion Designs into account.
If you have any updates you wish to share, links or videos concerning the GPSR then please add it to the comments.
I hope this was of help to you and I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog.
If you have any questions please use the comment section below or use one of my social media channels. If you have a recommendation on software you would like to share, please share in the comments below, let’s all help each other to succeed.
Until Next Time…
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