Germany has formally updated its national product safety legislation to align with the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR), reinforcing a unified regulatory framework across the European Union.
The revised German Product Safety Act (ProdSG) entered into force on 19 February 2026, integrating key provisions of the GPSR into national law and replacing outdated rules based on the former General Product Safety Directive (GPSD).
🔍 Background: Transition from GPSD to GPSR
The GPSR, which became fully applicable across the EU on 13 December 2024, replaces the previous directive with a directly applicable regulation, meaning:
- No national transposition is required
- Uniform rules apply across all EU Member States
- Stronger enforcement and compliance mechanisms are introduced
Germany’s legal update ensures that its national framework is fully aligned with this modern EU-wide system.
⚖️ Key Changes Under the Updated German Law
The alignment introduces several important changes affecting all economic operators:
📦 Stronger Obligations for Economic Operators
- Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must ensure full product safety compliance before market entry
- Clear identification requirements (name, address, contact details) must be included on products or packaging
🛒 New Rules for Online Marketplaces
- Platforms must verify compliance before allowing product listings
- Faster response mechanisms for removing unsafe products
- Increased cooperation with market surveillance authorities
🔎 Enhanced Traceability & Documentation
- Mandatory technical documentation and risk assessments
- Improved traceability through batch numbers and supply chain transparency
⚠️ Product Recall & Safety Monitoring
- Companies must establish effective recall procedures
- Greater integration with the EU Safety Gate for rapid alerts and cross-border enforcement
🌍 Impact on Non-EU Sellers
The updated framework significantly impacts non-EU businesses selling into Germany and the EU:
- Mandatory appointment of an EU-based Responsible Person
- Increased liability for importers acting as economic operators
- Requirement to provide documentation upon request by authorities
This is particularly relevant for:
- Amazon FBA sellers
- Shopify and e-commerce businesses
- Importers from countries like India, China, the UK, and the USA
📊 Increased Enforcement & Penalties
German authorities now have stronger enforcement powers, including:
- Market surveillance inspections
- Product withdrawals and recalls
- Administrative fines and penalties for non-compliance
The alignment ensures stricter and faster enforcement across the EU market.
📄 Official Resource
For the full legal framework, refer to the official EU regulation:
👉 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R0988
📌 Conclusion
Germany’s alignment with the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 marks a major step toward a harmonized and stricter EU product safety regime.
For businesses, this means:
- Higher compliance standards
- Greater transparency
- Increased accountability across the supply chain
Companies placing products on the EU market should act proactively to ensure full compliance under the new regulatory framework.
