January 8, 2025

The GPSR is set to shake things up by replacing the current General Product Safety Directive, effective December 13, 2024. Its mission is to boost consumer product safety across the EU, covering both online and offline sales channels. This far-reaching regulation touches every corner of the market, impacting manufacturers, importers, distributors, and online marketplaces in both B2C and B2B sectors.

At the heart of the GPSR is the responsibility to ensure that only safe, certified, and properly labeled products make it to market. It demands strict adherence to information disclosure and risk assessment requirements. Falling short of these standards could lead to serious consequences, including financial penalties, product recalls, market bans, and legal actions.

This regulatory shake-up has already sent ripples through the market, with British online retailers making a swift exit from the EU stage. As reported by Etailment, many were taken by surprise by the GPSR's demands and are pulling back their sales to the EU, either unable or unwilling to meet the new requirements. A key stipulation is that products from non-EU countries can only be sold if they have a designated responsible economic operator within the EU.

As we dive deeper into the specifics, let’s explore what these changes mean for your online shop and how you can navigate this new landscape with confidence.

Implications for Your Online Store
As an online merchant, sticking to the new labeling requirements is key. Ensure that product listings provide clear and accessible information.

By proactively adapting to all these changes, your e-commerce business can continue to thrive while ensuring customer safety and regulatory compliance. These requirements apply to products placed on the market from December 13, 2024, onwards. Additionally, general merchant obligations remain in effect.

How to Simplify Compliance with a PIM System
There's no denying that the importance of effectively managing product data and documentation has reached new heights, especially with the introduction of the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). This is where a Product Information Management (PIM) system becomes your saving grace.

A PIM system centralizes and organizes all product-related data, including specifications, descriptions, technical documentation, and certifications. By serving as a single source of truth, a PIM system helps businesses in several key ways:

• Ensuring data consistency: A PIM system eliminates discrepancies across different sales channels and regions, ensuring accurate and consistent product information for customers and regulators alike.

• Optimizing processes: By automating data workflows and centralizing documentation, PIM systems reduce manual effort, freeing teams to focus on compliance and innovation.

• Adapting to regulatory changes: A well-implemented PIM system enables businesses to quickly update product information in response to evolving regulations like GPSR.

Modern PIM systems are equipped with features that address specific compliance challenges:

• Centralized data management: All product information, from safety certifications to user manuals, is stored in one accessible location, ensuring readiness for audits.

• Automated workflows: Review and approval workflows reduce the risk of errors, ensuring that all product information meets regulatory requirements before publication.

• Version control and audit trails: These features allow businesses to track changes and maintain a history of updates, which can be critical for demonstrating compliance.

• Data quality tools: Tools for cleansing, validating, and standardizing data ensure alignment with industry standards such as GS1 and GDSN.

Contentserv’s PIM system is designed to address the unique challenges of compliance, particularly under regulations like GPSR. By consolidating safety data, certifications, and manuals into a centralized hub, businesses can ensure their information is accurate and up-to-date. Key features such as workflow-based approvals, audit trails, and data quality tools streamline compliance processes and reduce the risk of errors.

For instance, Contentserv’s alignment with frameworks like GS1 and GDSN ensures data standardization, making it easier for businesses to meet industry and regulatory requirements. Additionally, its version control capabilities provide a clear history of updates, which is invaluable for audits and inspections.

One practical use of a PIM system is managing product recalls—a process that GPSR heavily emphasizes. Without a centralized system, recalls can be chaotic and time-consuming. A PIM system simplifies this by:

• Identifying affected products: Centralized data helps businesses quickly locate all affected product variants and related documentation.

• Notifying stakeholders: Automated workflows facilitate timely communication with suppliers, distributors, and customers.

• Updating product information: The PIM system ensures product pages and associated documents reflect recall details, mitigating further distribution risks.

The GPSR raises the bar for consumer safety and regulatory compliance, requiring businesses to prioritize accurate and accessible product information. Adopting a PIM system not only simplifies the compliance process but also sets the foundation for operational excellence.

Whether you are beginning your compliance journey or optimizing existing processes, a PIM system provides the tools needed to adapt to GPSR requirements effectively. By investing in these capabilities, businesses can ensure their product information remains reliable and compliant, safeguarding both their operations and their customers.

Don’t wait until the eleventh hour, start your preparations today and keep your business ahead of the curve.