The new Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), which will come into force on December 13, 2024, brings some changes for all players in the market, especially for manufacturers and distributors of personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear. Our goal is to provide you with the essential information so that you, as a commercial customer, know what changes as a result of the GPSR and how it strengthens safety in the field of personal protective equipment.
Why the GPSR and how does it affect PPE?
The GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) aims to ensure the safety of consumer products in the EU. For PPE products and workwear that are already regulated by CE marking and EU declarations of conformity, the GPSR confirms that all required safety standards are optimally met for the commercial user as well. Due to compliance with the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and the CE mark, PPE and workwear are generally considered safe within the meaning of the GPSR. However, the GPSR brings with it additional requirements that are also important for our commercial customers.
New requirements and responsibility
The GPSR expands the obligations for manufacturers, dealers and online providers:
- Risk management: Even though PPE items are CE certified, the GPSR requires companies to implement continuous safety management. All risks must be assessed on an ongoing basis and security measures must be adapted.
- Duty to inform: If unexpected safety risks occur, dealers and importers must inform commercial customers immediately. Security remains an ongoing process.
- Product safety online: For online retailers, the GPSR means that the proof of product safety is always up-to-date and traceable. This ensures the trust of commercial customers, even when buying online.
For our commercial customers: safety and recall measures
Our commercial customers can be confident that PPE and workwear meet the highest safety standards according to GPSR requirements. If, contrary to expectations, a product is affected by a recall, commercial customers have various remedial measures at their disposal, such as repair, replacement or refund. This ensures that all products supplied permanently meet the safety requirements of the market.
Conclusion: Safety for every step
The GPSR ensures that personal protective equipment and workwear are not only secured by the CE marking, but are also continuously monitored to ensure the highest level of safety. With the new regulation, we are taking a further step towards consumer protection and product safety. Of course, we will keep you up to date and are available to answer any questions you may have.