Product labeling in accordance with the GPSR Product Regulation

The law and the obligations for manufacturers

In 2023, the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) was adopted in the European Union to improve product safety for consumers and to provide companies with clearer guidelines. The regulation came into force on December 13, 2024. The law replaces the previous General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) and is an important milestone for manufacturers and distributors (marketers) within the EU.

But what are the consequences for manufacturers? And how can laser markers help to meet the requirements of the law?

What is the GPSR?

The GPSR stipulates that products placed on the market within the EU must be safe. This applies to both physical and digital products. The aim is to protect consumers from potential dangers and to create a uniform product safety directive.

A central aspect of this is product labeling in accordance with the GPSR product regulation, which significantly supports traceability and product safety.

The main points of the GPSR include

• Hazard assessment: manufacturers must analyze and document potential risks of their products.
• Traceability: Products must be traceable along the entire supply chain through clear labeling.
• Duty to inform: Manufacturers must provide clear and comprehensible safety instructions and warnings.
• Recall management: A functioning system for the rapid recall of unsafe products must be in place.

Difference between GPSD and GPSR

The GPSR replaces the previous GPSD (General Product Safety Directive) and introduces some important changes:

Legal status:

• The GPSD was a directive that had to be transposed into national law by the member states. The GPSR, on the other hand, is a regulation that applies directly in all EU member states.

Extended product categories:

• The GPSR includes both physical products and products with digital components, whereas the GPSD primarily regulated physical products.

Stronger traceability requirements:

• The GPSR requires improved traceability throughout the supply chain, including clear markings such as serial numbers or QR codes.

Clearer market surveillance requirements:

• Compared to the GPSD, the GPSR contains more detailed market surveillance requirements to better ensure compliance.

Higher requirements for online marketplaces:

• Under the GPSR, online platforms will also be held more accountable for ensuring the safety of products sold on their platforms.

The most important obligations for manufacturers

Labeling obligations

• Manufacturers must provide their products with unique identification. This can be done using serial numbers, QR codes or barcodes. This involves information such as type, batch and serial numbers and manufacturer details (name, trademark, address, email address). This information helps to improve traceability and product safety.

Documentation

• There is an obligation to provide technical documentation containing the safety aspects and risk assessments of the product.

Provision of safety information

• Manufacturers must inform consumers about the safe use of their products. This includes warnings, instructions for use and, if necessary, training.

Product monitoring

• Once a product has been launched on the market, manufacturers are obliged to continuously monitor its safety and minimize risks.

Why laser markers are a solution

Laser markers are an effective tool for meeting the requirements of the GPSR. They offer considerable advantages, particularly when it comes to marking and traceability:

• Permanent markings: with a laser marker, permanent and tamper-proof markings such as manufacturer data, serial numbers, logos, safety warnings or QR codes can be applied directly to the product or its packaging. This makes traceability considerably easier.
• High precision and flexibility: Laser markers work with extremely high precision, which is particularly advantageous for small products or complex designs. In addition, different materials such as metal, plastic, acrylic, wood or glass can be processed without any problems.
• Sustainable solution: Compared to labels or other marking methods, laser marking is more environmentally friendly as no consumables such as ink or paper are required.
• Cost efficiency: In the long term, marking lasers are cost-effective as they require little maintenance and there are no ongoing costs for consumables.
• Increased counterfeit protection: Laser engraved markings are difficult to counterfeit and therefore offer better protection against product piracy. This not only helps to maintain the integrity of the brand, but also ensures that consumers receive a safe and compliant product.

Conclusion

The GPSR presents manufacturers with new challenges, but at the same time offers opportunities to strengthen product safety and customer confidence. Marking lasers are an ideal solution for meeting the legal requirements efficiently and sustainably. Especially when it comes to product marking as defined by the GPSR product regulation, they offer significant advantages that not only facilitate compliance with regulations, but also create long-term competitive advantages.

Investing in a laser engraver is therefore not only a practical decision, but also a strategic one for manufacturers who want to be future-proof and innovative.