Starting today, new regulations have been implemented to guarantee safe product purchases for consumers, regardless of the sales channel. This initiative is part of the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) introduced by the European Union, which aims to elevate product safety standards and adapt legal frameworks to the realities of the digital economy.

The GPSR replaces a 20-year-old directive and reflects the significant shift of commerce to online platforms. It imposes stricter requirements on e-commerce platforms, manufacturers, and importers, ensuring that consumers can access safe products no matter where or how they shop. UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny emphasized that these regulations are a crucial step towards enhancing consumer protection, especially with the growing popularity of online shopping.

Under the new rules, the responsibility for product safety now extends to online shopping platforms, which must actively participate in ensuring the safety of products sold through their channels. This means that platforms like Allegro, Amazon, and Temu can no longer act merely as intermediaries; they are required to monitor listings and remove those that do not meet safety standards. Failure to comply will result in liability for these platforms.

The regulations outline what constitutes a safe product, including traditional criteria such as composition and physical properties, as well as new factors like presentation, labeling, and cybersecurity for internet-connected products. For instance, products that could be misinterpreted for other uses must carry clear warnings to prevent misuse.

Consumer rights are significantly strengthened under the new regulations, allowing for safe online purchases equivalent to those in physical stores, clear product information, easier identification of responsible companies, and simplified reporting of unsafe products. Consumers can also choose their preferred form of compensation in case of unsafe products, whether it be repair, replacement, or refund.

Manufacturers and importers are now required to develop technical documentation for their products, ensure traceability, and report consumer incidents related to their products. E-commerce platforms must monitor product safety, remove unsafe listings, and establish procedures for responding to reports of dangerous products.

UOKiK has announced plans to increase administrative fines for introducing unsafe products into the market, with penalties rising from 100,000 PLN to 1 million PLN. Additional fines will be imposed for failures such as lack of technical documentation and failure to inform consumers about risks.

To support businesses, the European Commission has created a dedicated website outlining obligations for companies when unsafe products are detected. Furthermore, the GPSR mandates the establishment of information points in each member state to provide free guidance on compliance with EU and national product safety regulations.