Do I need to comply with GPSR? A clear guide for UK businesses

If you think your product is exempt from needing to comply with GPSR legislation? You might be surprised.

As a UK business trading with the EU we know you’ve already been so diligent in making sure you’ve crossed all the t’s and dotted all the I’s on the compliance. We get there’s a lot of paperwork and set-up to make sure you can sell your amazing products into EU countries.

But since Brexit and legislation that came into force since December 2024, there is another piece in the puzzle and it's important that you don’t miss it: GPSR compliance.

And the truth is whilst many UK businesses assume their products aren’t covered so they don’t need to worry about it, GPSR exemptions are in fact extremely limited.

In this blog we’ve outlined:
 Which products are exempt from GPSR
 What alternative EU laws may apply
 Whether you still need an EU Authorised Representative

By the end, you’ll know whether your product qualifies for an exemption, or if you need to take action to comply with GPSR.

What is the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)?

A quick refresher on what GPSR is and why it exists (especially if until now you’ve been hoping that it doesn’t apply to your business!):

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is the EU law that ensures all consumer products sold in the EU meet strict safety standards, protecting consumers from harm. If you’ve been hoping it doesn’t apply to your business, think again. Unless your product falls under a different specific EU regulation, GPSR is now the default safety law you must comply with.

We’ve read the legislation so you don’t have to get into the weeds, and we’re here to tell you that GPSR applies to most consumer products, ensuring they meet EU safety standards. This means that if a product does not fall under a specific sector regulation, it defaults to GPSR compliance.

Most consumer products therefore are covered by GPSR unless they are explicitly regulated by another EU directive.

What products are exempt from GPSR?

Whilst most UK businesses selling products into the EU will fall under GPSR and require an EU Authorised Representative, there are a few that don’t.

These are:
A. Products covered by other EU regulations.
Some products are not covered by GPSR because they are regulated under their own
specific EU laws. These include:
 Medical devices (Regulation (EU) 2017/745)
 Food and beverages (General Food Law Regulation (EC) No 178/2002)
 Pharmaceuticals & cosmetics (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009)
 Vehicles & parts (Regulation (EU) 2018/858)
 Toys (EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC)
 Electrical products (Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU)

However. It’s important to note that these exemptions do not mean businesses are free from EU compliance—they just follow different regulations.

B. Genuine antiques
If your UK business sells genuine antiques i.e. products that are old enough to be considered a collectible item rather than a functional product, then your products are exempt from GPSR.

It’s important if you feel you fall into this category that what you sell is not intended for use as a product by consumers in their original form. However, if you sell antiques that have been restored, modified, or repurposed for modern use, it may no longer be exempt and could fall under GPSR.
For example:
 A vintage lamp that has been rewired and sold as a functioning light must comply
with GPSR.
 A historical medal sold purely as a display piece is likely exempt.
If an item is being sold as a functional product rather than a collectible, it must still comply
with GPSR safety requirements.

Are books exempt from GPSR?

Books are still considered general consumer products under GPSR. Unless your book is purely a printed paper product with absolutely no safety risks, it still falls under GPSR.

Are digital products exempt from GPSR?

And when it comes to digital products, whilst open to interpretation, the EU Commission’s own Q&A on the topic states:

“GPSR applies to all types of products (physical or digital products too, including software) that are placed or made available on the EU Single Market.”
Most definitely if your digital products have physical components (e.g., connected fitness devices, smart tech, etc.) then you definitely do need to be GPSR compliant. If your product isn’t explicitly covered by another EU regulation, it falls under GPSR.

Do I have to be GPSR compliant if I give away products for free?

The answer here is yes. Even if you don’t sell or make money from your products, GPSR compliancy is still essential. Profitability and pricing is not relevant when your item is sent into the EU and needs to be safe.

Do I have to comply with GPSR if my business is just me trading as a sole trader?

The answer is yes. It doesn’t matter what size your business – if you’re a small, solopreneur start-up, or a multinational manufacturer, if you’re selling general consumer products into the EU, GPSR compliance and an EU Authorised Representative are essential.

�� Still got questions about GPSR compliance?

Navigating the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. The
RepGuardia GPSR Compliance Bot is here to help. After being inundated with questions in 2024 our founder Lucy set about finding a way to support small businesses in the UK. Lucy teamed up with another entrepreneur, Vicky, based in Dublin, Ireland and founded RepGuardia. We've built a ChatBot tool to help you get your questions answered. 

�� Ask the RepGuardia Bot to get clear, simple answers tailored to your business—whether you're selling digital downloads, handmade crafts, or consumer products in the EU.
✅ Understand what’s required for your specific products
✅ Get step-by-step guidance in plain English
✅ Know when you need an EU Authorised Representative

Try it now — click here to sign up for free and get instant GPSR answers for your business.