Directive 2001/95/EC or GPSD
The objective of Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 December 2001 on general product safety (hereinafter - GPSD) is to ensure the safety of end consumers within the EU territory.
According to directive 2001/95/EC only products which do not present any risk under normal and reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, including installation, maintenance and disposal, can be supplied and made available on the EU market.
The manufacturer must inform the consumer about the risks which are inherent to the product for the consumer to assess it. In addition, the manufacturer, the importer, the EU Authorized Representative (where applicable) or the seller must undertake all appropriate measures to prevent and avoid any risks such as withdrawal of the product from the market, warning the consumers properly, etc.
The following products are covered by Directive 2001/95/EC:
The General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC applies to all consumer goods for which EU harmonised standards have not been adopted.
Respectively the provisions of Directive 2001/95/EC apply to products as long as there is no specific EU legislation (Directive or harmonized standard). The General Product Safety Directive applies both to new products as well as to products already used or repaired.
The examples of products covered by Directive 2001/95/EC are set out below:
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Furniture
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Gymnastics equipment
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Stationary machines
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Equipment for infants and children
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Paragliders
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Snorkelling and diving equipment
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Swimming jackets and laps
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Bicycles
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Roller skates, skis, boards
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Lighters
In addition, professional industrial equipment is also covered by the directive if it is placed on the consumer market.
Directive 2001/95/EC does not apply to:
Directive 2001/95/EC does not apply to antique goods and products to be repaired or restored before use, nor it applies to food, cosmetics, medical and pharmaceutical products.
Product conformity assessment procedure according to the GPSD Directive:
Manufacturers are obliged to place only safe products on the EU market. A product is considered safe if it is manufactured in accordance with harmonised EU directives, national standards of the EU Member States or common safety practices of the industry and safety expectations of consumers.
The following must be taken into account:
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Product specifications, layout, instructions for use
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Risks when used with other products
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Risks associated with use by children or elderly people
Where necessary, the product’s safety must be assessed by a notified laboratory.
Do products subject to GPSD Directive 2001/95/EC require CE Marking?
CE marking of products is only permitted for products covered by specific EU legislation (standards). Consequently, products covered by Directive 2001/95/EC on general product safety cannot be marked with a CE mark.
Products falling within the scope of Directive 2001/95/EC must bear a marking enabling the identification of the manufacturer and his address. In addition, the product must be marked with clear and concise information and warnings about the risks which these products might pose, information on the disposal of the product and other information.
The fact that the manufacturer applied to the product warning signs does not release the manufacturer from liability for any other risks.
EU Authorized Representative
If a manufacturer is located outside the European Union, he must appoint an authorized representative in the European Union in order to ensure conformity with the safety requirements of GPSD.
In addition to providing a complete range of services with regards to conformity assessment of products according to the requirements of Directive 2001/95/EC CCIS-EXPERTISE provides an authorized representative in the European Union.
Statutory reference
Directive 2001/95/EC on general product safety was adopted on 3 December 2001 and entered into force on 15 January 2002. The national legislation of the EU Member States with respect to general product safety had been implemented until 15 January 2004.
Directive 2001/95/EC replaced Council Directive 92/59/EEC on general product safety of 29 June 1992 on the common security of products.
Full text of the GPSD Directive 2001/95/EC
CCIS-EXPERTISE specialists will help you to:
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assess whether your products fall under the requirements of GPSD
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prepare and evaluate the technical file
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translate all relevant documentation and drawings
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determine the cost of certification work
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carry out all procedures of the European conformity assessment process
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conduct tests of any complexity in accredited European and national laboratories
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provide an authorized representative for your company in the EU
