Find all our indie stockists here!

FAQs: How the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) Affects Small Businesses

Q: What is the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)?

A: GPSR is a new regulation coming into effect to ensure that products sold in Europe are safe for consumers. It introduces stricter rules for businesses, requiring them to have a representative based in Europe to handle safety compliance, documentation, and accountability.

Q: Why is this such a challenge for small businesses?

A: Unlike larger companies, small businesses often don’t have the resources or infrastructure to set up a European representative or meet the additional administrative costs. This makes compliance much harder and, for some, impossible without significant changes.

Q: What happens if a small business like yours doesn’t comply with GPSR?

A: Businesses that don’t meet the new requirements can no longer legally ship products to Europe. For us, this means pausing all orders to Europe until we can find a solution.

Q: Can small businesses continue shipping to Europe in the future?

A: It’s possible! Many small businesses, including ours, are looking for affordable solutions, like third-party representatives or collaborations. However, these can take time to implement.

Q: Will customers in the UK or other regions be affected?

A: No, GPSR only applies to shipments going to Europe. Customers in the UK and other regions can continue shopping as usual.

Q: Why is this regulation being introduced?

A: The GPSR is designed to protect consumers by making sure that products meet high safety standards. While we fully support safe products, the added complexity can be tough for small businesses to navigate.

Q: How can customers support small businesses during this change?

A: Keep supporting your favourite small businesses however you can! Share their updates, shop locally, and spread the word about the challenges they face. Your support helps more than you know. 🧡