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Introduction: The Age of Safer Products in E-Commerce

As of December 13, 2024, the European Union’s General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR) will come into full effect, marking a new era for consumer protection and e-commerce product compliance. The GPSR replaces the older General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC, introducing stronger obligations for online sellers and platforms, enhanced traceability, and stricter requirements for labeling and risk prevention.

If you’re running a PrestaShop store or any other e-commerce operation in the EU, complying with the GPSR is no longer optional—it’s mandatory. This guide is designed to help you understand what the GPSR entails, how it affects your online business, and how to easily meet the requirements using the GPSR Compliance Pro Module for PrestaShop.

What Is the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)?

Overview

The General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988, commonly referred to as GPSR, is a European Union regulation aimed at ensuring that all products sold to EU consumers—whether online or offline—are safe. It focuses heavily on digital marketplaces, traceability, risk communication, and product recalls.

Why Was GPSR Introduced?

The older General Product Safety Directive did not adequately address the modern digital and global nature of commerce. The GPSR introduces:

  • Stricter obligations for online sellers and platforms
  • Mandatory traceability for most product categories
  • Enhanced transparency for consumers
  • Clear product recall mechanisms
  • Accountability for products sold via third-party marketplaces

Who Must Comply with the GPSR?

The regulation applies to:

  • All economic operators (manufacturers, importers, distributors)
  • Online sellers, including PrestaShop merchants
  • Fulfillment service providers (dropshipping models included)
  • Digital marketplaces

If your PrestaShop store sells to any EU country, you’re bound by the GPSR.

Key Requirements of the GPSR

Here’s what you must do as an online seller to comply:

1. Ensure Product Safety

Products must be safe for consumers and free of defects that could pose a risk. Consider:

  • Design safety
  • Chemical composition
  • Age-appropriateness
  • Electrical/mechanical integrity

2. Clear Product Labeling

Mandatory details on your product pages include:

  • Manufacturer name and contact info
  • Importer details (if applicable)
  • Traceability codes or identifiers
  • Warnings and precautions
  • Country of origin

3. Traceability

Each product must include:

  • Batch number or serial number
  • QR code or other digital trace method (where feasible)
  • Information enabling authorities to trace its origin
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4. Timely Product Recall Systems

In case of risk:

  • You must notify authorities and consumers
  • Provide means to return or fix the product
  • Be proactive in monitoring post-sale product safety

5. Online Product Display Standards

Every product sold online must include:

  • Detailed safety info in an easily accessible tab or section
  • Visibility on all versions of the product page
  • Available in multiple EU languages

6. Digital Marketplace Accountability

If you use platforms such as Amazon, eBay, or integrate marketplaces into your PrestaShop store, you are still liable for ensuring compliance with GPSR.

How GPSR Impacts PrestaShop Merchants

As a PrestaShop merchant, GPSR compliance will directly influence how you:

  • Display product information
  • Manage product data
  • Handle product recalls and customer notifications
  • Organize multilingual content

You must now include standardized, structured safety data and traceability information on every product page. Without automation, this becomes a tedious, error-prone task.

Common Challenges for PrestaShop Sellers

1. Manual Product Labeling

Adding multilingual safety information manually across dozens or hundreds of products can be time-consuming.

2. Traceability & Data Structuring

Maintaining consistent, structured traceability fields across a large catalog is complex without a module.

3. Compliance Monitoring

Staying up-to-date with GPSR updates and implementing post-sale alerts or recalls requires dynamic integration.

4. Risk of Fines or Platform Removal

Non-compliance can lead to:

  • Financial penalties
  • Product listing removals
  • Damage to brand trust and reputation

Recommended Solution: GPSR Compliance Pro Module for PrestaShop

To solve these challenges, the GPSR Compliance Pro module is the ultimate solution for PrestaShop merchants.

Key Features

  • ✅ Custom GPSR Tab on every product page
  • ✅ Multilingual support for all fields
  • ✅ Manufacturer and importer info fields
  • ✅ Batch/Serial number input
  • ✅ File upload option (PDF manuals, warnings)
  • ✅ Visual warning icons for safety alerts
  • ✅ Flexible multistore support
  • ✅ Responsive on mobile and tablets
  • ✅ GDPR-compliant and lightweight

How It Works

  • Adds a new tab on product pages for GPSR-specific information
  • Admin can edit content in each language directly from the product backend
  • Easily manage traceability codes and safety warnings
  • Customers see all required safety data clearly formatted

Who Should Use This Module?

  • PrestaShop store owners targeting EU countries
  • Merchants selling electronics, toys, apparel, household goods, etc.
  • Dropshipping or multi-brand retailers with traceability obligations
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Step-by-Step: Making Your PrestaShop Store GPSR-Compliant

Step 1: Install the GPSR Compliance Pro Module

Purchase and install the module from the PrestaShop Addons marketplace.

Step 2: Customize Fields

In each product’s back office page, you’ll see a new GPSR tab. Fill out:

  • Manufacturer details
  • Batch/serial codes
  • Upload warning documentation
  • Write multilingual descriptions

Step 3: Display Safety Info Publicly

Once filled, the tab appears on your storefront with neatly organized safety details.

Step 4: Keep Data Updated

Update traceability fields regularly with each new batch or revision.

Step 5: Prepare Recall Procedures

Have a system in place to:

  • Identify products affected
  • Notify customers
  • Offer replacement, repair, or refund

Real-World Scenarios Where This Module Helps

Example 1: Toy Store

A merchant sells toys to multiple EU countries. With the module:

  • Adds choking hazard warnings in English, French, and German
  • Links to a downloadable safety PDF
  • Displays age appropriateness and batch codes

Example 2: Electronics Retailer

Sells EU-imported gadgets. Using the module:

  • Adds importer information
  • Lists serial numbers per product line
  • Shows CE and safety certification details

Benefits of Compliance (Beyond Just Avoiding Fines)

  • ✅ Boost consumer trust with transparent safety data
  • ✅ Improve SEO via enriched product content
  • ✅ Enhance product credibility with traceable info
  • ✅ Win over regulators and platforms like Amazon or Google Shopping

Future of Product Safety in E-Commerce

The GPSR is only the beginning. Expect further evolutions in:

  • AI-driven safety enforcement
  • Interlinked recall databases
  • Marketplace-level compliance integrations

Early adoption with tools like GPSR Compliance Pro positions your store as a trusted, regulation-ready brand.

Conclusion: Start Your Compliance Journey Today

GPSR compliance is no longer optional for e-commerce merchants in the EU. With growing scrutiny and high consumer expectations, safety, transparency, and traceability are essential pillars of your online store’s success.

By installing the GPSR Compliance Pro PrestaShop Module, you can automate and simplify your journey toward full EU GPSR compliance—saving time, avoiding fines, and enhancing customer trust.

Ready to make your store GPSR compliant?
Start with the trusted GPSR Compliance Pro Module today..

Get the Module on PrestaShop Addons

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