GPSR Compliance

General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) and What it Means For You

On 13th December 2024, the General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) came into force, marking a significant shift for businesses selling items in the EU and Northern Ireland. These regulations are designed to ensure that all products meet high safety standards, and for the jewellery industry this is particularly important. Whether you’re a manufacturer, importer, or distributor, GPSR is something you’ll need to understand and incorporate into your operations.

So, what exactly does this mean for your business, and how can you stay on top of these new requirements?

WHAT IS GPSR AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

If you sell or import jewellery into the EU or Northern Ireland, GPSR applies to you. Products must be tested to ensure they are free from harmful levels of substances like nickel, lead, and cadmium. Clear labelling, such as manufacturer details and safety warnings, is also required.

You will also need to maintain comprehensive records of supply chains and safety measures for at least ten years. Compliance isn’t a one-time event either; ongoing monitoring is necessary, especially when you make changes to materials, designs, or suppliers.

Failing to comply can have serious consequences. Non-compliant products can be removed from the market, cutting off access to valuable customers. Your business could face fines, legal penalties, and reputational damage.

WHAT DOES GPSR MEAN FOR JEWELLERY BUSINESSES?

SO, HOW CAN BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE HELP?

We understand the complexities businesses face in meeting the General Product Safety Regulations, particularly in the jewellery industry where products come into direct contact with consumers.

With the heavy emphasis on testing from a chemical compliance perspective, one of the easiest ways to ensure your products are fully covered is through our unique UKAS-accredited test, AnchorCert Pro. This comprehensive all-in-one test is specifically designed to assess jewellery for both safety and compliance, ensuring adherence to REACH regulations and GPSR. It tests jewellery items to determine if they are hypoallergenic by evaluating the allergenic potential of 16 metal elements known to cause skin reactions, ensuring that your products are safe for sensitive skin.

In addition to hypoallergenic testing, AnchorCert Pro covers critical areas like nickel release, lead content, and cadmium levels. These are key risks in jewellery production, and testing them together provides a streamlined and efficient solution. All tests are conducted in our ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.

GPSR requires ongoing compliance, meaning that businesses must continuously monitor and test their products as materials, suppliers, or designs change. Regular testing is essential to ensure that products remain safe and meet safety standards throughout their lifecycle. AnchorCert Pro is the perfect accompaniment to align your business with the new regulations, helping you stay compliant and meet safety standards. We recommend batch-to-batch testing to ensure ongoing compliance and protect both your products and your customers.

ENSURING COMPLIANCE

If you’re still unsure what GPSR means for your business or how to comply, don’t worry, we’re here to guide you. We want to make compliance as straightforward as possible for you.

Contact us to learn more about meeting GPSR requirements, safeguarding your products, and maintaining the trust of your customers. This article offers a summary of key points, but please note that it is not an exhaustive list of all the requirements. For a more detailed understanding or to find out about getting a testing programme that suits your requirements, don’t hesitate to get in touch.