
The EU's updated General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is reported to be causing significant challenges for UK small businesses selling to Europe. The new rules require extensive product labelling, website updates, and the appointment of a “responsible person” within the EU to ensure compliance. These changes, aimed at improving product safety standards across e-commerce and traditional sales channels, have proven costly and confusing for small traders.
Many businesses, particularly sole traders and micro-enterprises, have found the requirements prohibitively expensive and difficult to navigate. Some have stopped selling to EU customers altogether due to unclear guidance and representation costs, resulting in lost revenue. It is also reported that some suppliers simply refuse to comply.
A lack of clear communication and practical guidance from official sources has exacerbated the situation, with many business owners learning about GPSR shortly before its implementation. The complexity of the requirements and insufficient support for smaller enterprises highlight a broader issue of regulatory oversight failing to account for the needs of small businesses.
While business owners acknowledge the importance of improving safety, they are calling for clearer, sector-specific guidance, simplified language in official documents, and better communication methods tailored to sole traders and micro-businesses. Without these changes, many fear continued disruption to their ability to trade with the EU.
If your business is struggling and needs guidance on GPSR or you have any other international trade issue, send us a message at: info@teesglobal.co.uk
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