New Product Safety Regulation Effective December 2024
Important Changes for Online Retailers: A new Product Safety Regulation will take effect on December 13, 2024, bringing significant changes for all parties involved in the distribution and supply chain. Whether you’re a manufacturer, retailer, or online seller—find out now about the new disclosure requirements and stricter rules for product recalls.
Discover the changes in the upcoming Product Safety Regulation and take action in a timely manner! Starting December 13, 2024, essential changes will take effect for online retailers and all stakeholders in the supply and distribution chain. Don’t miss the opportunity to prepare for these changes in a timely manner.
Who will be affected by the new regulation?
The new regulation affects all economic operators who offer their products on the market. It is of the utmost importance for manufacturers, importers, and online retailers that all products they place on the market comply with the safety requirements of this regulation. This will be particularly challenging for operators of online marketplaces, who will now be subject to stricter monitoring of the products they offer.
New Requirements for Product Labeling
A key aspect of the new regulation concerns product labeling. All products must include clear information about the manufacturer, the importer, and any other relevant parties to enable their unambiguous identification. This also requires visual or textual labeling on the product itself, as well as concise warning labels and safety-related information for end consumers.
- Manufacturer identification: Full name or trade name and contact information of the manufacturer or EU authorized representative.
- Identification labeling: Visual representation of the product with identifiers such as model number or product type.
- Safety information: Clear safety instructions and warnings regarding potential hazards.
Stricter Guidelines for Product Recalls
The conditions for conducting product recalls will become stricter in the future. Misleading language in product communications that could lower consumers’ perception of risk should be avoided. Therefore, products subject to recalls must be accompanied by a transparent description of the associated hazards.
Preparing for New Compliance Processes
It is recommended to establish or adapt internal procedures to ensure compliance with the new product safety regulations. Particular attention should be paid to cybersecurity, which must be addressed for products with digital components.
Affected Sales Channels
There are no exceptions for specific sales channels. The regulation applies equally to all sales channels, including online retail. Therefore, it is crucial that the regulations be observed from the very first time a product is offered in an online store or through distance selling.
Product Scope: Which Products Are Covered by the New Regulations?
In principle, all products intended for consumers or whose use by consumers is foreseeable are included. However, there are exceptions for products subject to a specific legal framework, such as medications or food.
Implementation with the XONIC Shop System
Starting with version 4.5, the XONIC shop system offers new fields in the manufacturer master data section that you can fill out to automatically display the legally required manufacturer information for the product.
Summary
The new Product Safety Regulation, which takes effect on December 13, 2024, brings significant changes for all stakeholders in the supply and distribution chain. Particular attention should be paid to the information requirements and stricter rules for product recalls. All economic operators are required to label their products in accordance with the new requirements and ensure that they meet safety standards. Different products and distribution channels are equally affected. To comply with the new regulations, it is recommended to establish internal compliance processes early on. The XONIC Shop will provide updates to ensure proper implementation of the regulation.
