A lot is going to change within the consumer products market in terms of product safety regulation. And that has important implications for technical documentation as well! Find out more in this blog.
From Directive to Regulation
The General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), which has regulated the safety of products within the European Union since 2001, has been replaced by the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). This change, which went into effect on 13 December 2024, has led to a major shift in how manufacturers, importers and retailers have to ensure product safety.
Main changes of the General Product Safety Regulation
The new GPSR responds to the latest retail and e-commerce developments, such as the rise of online marketplaces, international sales and complex supply chains. The most important changes compared to the previous GPSD are:
1. Adjustment to digital markets
The GPSR introduces clear responsibilities for online marketplaces, requiring them to verify that the products on offer comply with safety regulations. This has implications for technical documentation, as retailers have to ensure that product listings contain accurate, verified and standardised information.
2. Stricter traceability requirements
The new regulation emphasises full traceability of products within the supply chain. Therefore, importers, distributors and retailers have to keep clear records of the origin and destination of their products, increasing the demand for comprehensive and accessible documentation.
3. Updated risk assessments
The GPSR takes into account new risks caused by emerging technologies, such as connected devices and AI-driven products. Retailers must ensure that technical documentation includes updated risk assessments that provide information on these advanced product features.
4. Stronger market surveillance
Governments are given greater means to enforce compliance, including the ability to impose substantial fines for non-compliance. Accurate and thorough technical documentation therefore becomes crucial in proving compliance to the new standards.
5. Focus on vulnerable consumer groups
The regulation requires that in terms of product safety, vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly and people with disabilities are taken into account. Retailers should include these considerations in their manuals, labelling and safety instructions.
Implications for the technical documentation of consumer products
Technical documentation has always been an essential part of regulation. With the introduction of the GPSR, its importance will only increase. We need to adapt in the following ways:
1. More detailed product information
Manufacturers and importers must ensure that their technical documentation is much more comprehensive than before, including product specifications and safety instructions. For connected devices, guidelines on cyber security and data protection also have to be included.
2. Digitisation of technical documentation
With the rise of e-commerce and online marketplaces, digital versions of technical documentation have become essential. Retailers have to make user manuals, safety information and conformity data available in accessible formats on their websites or product pages.
3. Real-time updates
The dynamic nature of the GPSR means that retailers need to implement systems for real-time updates of technical documentation. Changes in safety standards or product features should immediately be reflected in digital manuals and instructions.
4. Cooperation within the supply chain
Retailers need to work closely with manufacturers and importers to ensure full compliance. This calls for standardised documentation formats and shared platforms to track product safety information.
5. Personalised and inclusive content
Given the GPSR’s emphasis on vulnerable consumers, retailers should ensure that their documentation is inclusive and localised. For example, instructions have to be translated into local languages or even into Braille.
Getting ready for compliance with the GPSR
The transition to the GPSR is not just a regulations update. It is a call to the market to modernise and step up its approach towards topics such as product safety and consumer trust.
You can prepare by:
- Checking your current documentation
Reviewing all your existing technical documentation and updating as necessary to meet the new requirements.
- Investing in digital tools
Digital documentation management and distribution platforms can make it easier to comply.
- Training teams and/or partnering up
Ensure the implications of the GPSR are understood within the company and create a plan to effectively manage compliance.
- Working with supply chain partners
Get in touch to coordinate security protocols and documentation processes.
Conclusion? Get started!
The transition from GPSD to GPSR marks a new era of responsibility, transparency and consumer protection. For manufacturers, this change presents an opportunity to build trust by ensuring that products are safe and traceable, as well as by providing clear and accessible technical documentation.
It is time to take action! Do you have questions about the new regulations, do you want to know if your technical documentation processes are optimally organised and compliant, or do you just want to discuss the topics above? Then contact Foxiz!