A trading name of A Star Supply · ContactA trading name of A Star Supply · ContactUnder the General Product Safety Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/988), warnings and safety information have to travel with the product and appear in online listings. Here is what the regulation, the European Commission's guidelines, and Amazon and eBay say.
Recital 22 of the regulation says safety should be primarily achieved through the design and features of the product, with any remaining risks alleviated by safeguards such as warnings and instructions. The European Commission's 2025 guidelines for businesses say products must be safe by design, backed by an internal risk analysis.
When a product's safety is assessed, Article 6(1)(d) takes into account its presentation and labelling, including age suitability labelling for children, any warnings and instructions for safe use and disposal, and any other information about the product.
Article 9(7) says manufacturers must ensure their product is accompanied by clear instructions and safety information in a language consumers can easily understand, as determined by the EU country where it is sold. Importers have the same duty (Article 10), and distributors must check it before selling (Article 11).
The requirement does not apply where the product can be used safely and as intended without such instructions and safety information. The Commission's guidelines give products whose risks are well known, such as knives, as an example.
The language is set country by country. A listing on a German store needs the information in a language German consumers can easily understand, as Germany determines.
Article 19(d) says an online or distance-sale offer must clearly and visibly show any warning or safety information to be affixed to the product or packaging or included in an accompanying document, in a language consumers in the country of sale can easily understand. The Commission's guidelines put the aim simply: consumers buying online should have the same product and safety information they would have in a shop.
Online marketplaces must design their listing forms so sellers can provide this information and it is displayed or easily accessible on the listing (Article 22(9)).
Article 21 allows the information to be provided additionally in a digital format, and recital 32 mentions a QR or data matrix code. That is on top of the Article 9(7) duty, not instead of it.
No. Article 9(7) requires clear instructions and safety information, but not where the product can be used safely and as intended without them. The Commission gives products with well-known risks, such as knives, as an example.
A language consumers can easily understand, as determined by the EU country where the product is sold (Article 9(7) and Article 19(d)).
Yes. Article 19(d) requires online offers to clearly and visibly show any warning or safety information that goes on the product, its packaging or an accompanying document.
No. Article 21 allows digital formats in addition, not as a replacement for the Article 9(7) duty.
The regulation says safety should primarily be achieved through design and features, with warnings and instructions addressing remaining risks (recital 22).
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