European Union: Adopted provisions on consumer protection in General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)

On 25 April 2023, the Council adopted the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), which establishes a wide-ranging legal framework for ensuring the safety of non-food consumer products – items designed for consumer use or those reasonably expected to be used by consumers. Its specific focus is to address safety challenges stemming from novel technologies and the landscape of online selling. Embedded within the GPSR are stipulations for consumer protection. Notably, providers of online marketplaces will have to establish internal mechanisms for product safety to promptly align with the pertinent GPSR requirements. Additionally, for products offered through online or distance sales channels, the product listings will have to prominently display the manufacturer's contact details, product identification information, and any requisite safety warnings or information in a consumer-friendly language. Furthermore, economic operators and, where relevant, online marketplace providers who gather personal data from their customers will be obliged to employ this information for the purposes of recalls and safety alerts.