EU General Product Safety Regulation now applies to books
The EU's General Product Safety Regulation applies from 13 December 2024, bringing new traceability and contact duties for books sold into the EU.
Regulation (EU) 2023/988, the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), applies from 13 December 2024. It replaces the General Product Safety Directive and sets safety rules for consumer products sold in the EU, whether in shops or online. Books are consumer products and fall within its general scope.
Among its requirements, a product placed on the EU market must have a responsible economic operator established in the EU, such as the manufacturer, an importer, an authorised representative or a fulfilment service provider. Products must carry identifying information, and the responsible operator's contact details must appear on the product, its packaging, the parcel or an accompanying document. Online marketplaces take on their own duties, including cooperation with market surveillance authorities.
The regulation also applies in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. UK government guidance notes that, under Article 51, it applies only to products placed on the market from 13 December 2024; stock already placed on the market before that date and compliant with earlier law does not need action, although further copies of the same title placed on the market later are covered.
Why it matters: publishers and self-published authors outside the EU who sell print books to EU customers, directly or through retailers and distributors, may now need an EU-based responsible person and updated imprint-page or metadata details. Many retailers began asking for this information at the point of listing. Businesses should check how the regulation applies to their own titles and supply routes, and take advice where needed.
Sources: European Commission, Access2Markets: EU's General Product Safety Regulation; GOV.UK: EU Regulation 2023/988 on General Product Safety, factsheet (Northern Ireland).