You need an EU Responsible Person if you sell any consumer product into the European Union and your business is based outside the EU. This applies to UK sellers (post-Brexit), Chinese manufacturers, US brands, and businesses from any non-EU country. Since GPSR enforcement began in December 2024, Amazon now requires EU Responsible Person details at the point of listing creation — not just during audits.
Do I Need an EU Responsible Person?
Answer three questions. Where is your business registered? What do you sell? Where do you sell it? If your business is outside the EU and you sell consumer products to EU customers, you need an EU Responsible Person. No exceptions.
This requirement comes from EU Regulation 2023/988 (the General Product Safety Regulation), which became fully enforceable on 13 December 2024. It applies to every product category: electronics, cosmetics, toys, clothing, homeware, accessories, and general consumer goods.
Quick Decision Flowchart
- Is your business registered in an EU member state? → Yes: You are the responsible person under EU law. No appointment needed. → No: Continue to step 2.
- Do you sell physical consumer products? → Yes: Continue to step 3. → No (digital-only products or services): No EU Responsible Person required.
- Do any of those products reach EU customers — via Amazon, Shopify, eBay, your own website, or any other channel? → Yes: You need an EU Responsible Person. → No: No appointment needed for non-EU sales.
If you reached step 3 with "Yes", you must appoint an EU Responsible Person before your next shipment enters the EU. Talk to Eldris to start — certificate issued in under 60 minutes.
Who Needs an EU Responsible Person?
You need an EU Responsible Person if you match any of these descriptions:
- UK seller exporting to EU: Since Brexit, the UK is a third country. You must appoint an EU-based responsible person.
- Chinese manufacturer selling on Amazon Europe: Amazon requires EU Responsible Person details for every listing under its GPSR compliance programme.
- US brand selling direct-to-consumer in the EU: Whether Shopify, your own website, or any marketplace.
- Shopify, Etsy, or eBay sellers shipping to EU customers: The GPSR requirement applies to all sales channels, not just Amazon.
- Any non-EU business selling physical products to EU customers: Regardless of size, revenue, or sales channel.
Who Does NOT Need an EU Responsible Person?
If your business is registered in an EU member state, you do not need to appoint a separate EU Responsible Person. You are the responsible person under EU law. This applies to businesses in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and all other EU countries.
Digital-only products and services (software, SaaS, digital downloads) do not require an EU Responsible Person. The regulation applies to physical consumer products only.
What Happens Without an EU Responsible Person?
Amazon suppresses listings within 48 hours of detecting non-compliance. Customs authorities seize shipments at EU borders. Market surveillance authorities issue fines up to €100,000 per member state.
The consequences are immediate and revenue-impacting. There is no grace period. Once enforcement triggers, your products are unsellable in the EU until compliance is established.
What Does an EU Responsible Person Do?
Your EU Responsible Person provides a registered EU address on your product packaging. They hold your technical documentation and compliance files. They act as the contact point for EU market surveillance authorities.
They do not manufacture, distribute, or sell your products. They ensure the regulatory paperwork is in order so your products can legally enter the EU market.
How Do I Get an EU Responsible Person?
With Eldris, the process takes under 60 minutes. You provide your company details and product information. We generate your compliance certificate covering all 27 EU member states. The cost is £195 one-time onboarding with monthly fees from £19.95.
You can also appoint an EU-based individual or company yourself, but they must accept legal responsibility for your products and maintain documentation. Most businesses choose a specialist provider.
Free Compliance Check — 30 Seconds
Not sure what you need? Tell Eldris what you sell and where you are based. We will tell you exactly which compliance applies to you. Talk to Eldris →
2026 GPSR Enforcement: What Has Changed
The General Product Safety Regulation (EU 2023/988) became fully enforceable on 13 December 2024, replacing the old General Product Safety Directive. Since enforcement began, three significant changes have affected non-EU sellers:
- Amazon listing enforcement tightened: Amazon now requires EU Responsible Person details at the point of listing creation — not just during compliance audits. Sellers who previously operated without an appointment are being retroactively flagged and suppressed across all EU Amazon marketplaces.
- Responsible Person identification on products: Under GPSR Article 16, the EU Responsible Person's name, registered trade name or trademark, and contact details (including postal and electronic address) must appear on the product or its packaging. This is a change from the previous regime where documentation alone was sufficient.
- Cross-border enforcement intensified: EU member states have increased cross-border enforcement actions through the Safety Gate (formerly RAPEX) system. Non-compliant products are flagged across all 27 member states simultaneously, making it harder to re-enter the market after enforcement action.
For Amazon sellers specifically, the practical impact in 2026 is that account-level compliance checks are now standard. Amazon does not wait for customs or market surveillance to flag issues — they proactively verify EU Responsible Person documentation and suspend listings preemptively.
New Amazon GPSR Requirements for 2026
Amazon's GPSR compliance programme now enforces three additional requirements beyond EU Responsible Person appointment:
- Product safety contact: A dedicated EU-based contact for consumer safety reports must be provided in Seller Central.
- Incident reporting obligation: Sellers must report product safety incidents to the EU Responsible Person within 24 hours of becoming aware.
- Technical documentation availability: Market surveillance authorities can request full technical files within 10 working days. Your EU Responsible Person must hold these on your behalf.
Eldris handles all three requirements as part of the standard EU Responsible Person service. There is no additional cost for compliance file holding or safety contact provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an EU Responsible Person for Amazon?
Yes. Amazon requires EU Responsible Person details for every product listed on Amazon Europe. Without it, your listings will be suppressed. Since 2026, Amazon verifies this at the point of listing creation.
Can I be my own EU Responsible Person?
Only if you or your business is physically established within the EU. If you are based in the UK, US, China, or any non-EU country, you must appoint someone who is EU-based.
Do I need an EU Responsible Person for each country?
No. One EU Responsible Person covers all 27 EU member states. You do not need a separate appointment per country.
How quickly can I get an EU Responsible Person?
Under 60 minutes with Eldris. You provide your details, we generate your certificate the same day. Most providers take 1–4 weeks.
What changed with GPSR enforcement in 2026?
The General Product Safety Regulation (EU 2023/988) became enforceable on 13 December 2024. In 2026, Amazon tightened enforcement by requiring EU Responsible Person details at the point of listing creation rather than during periodic audits. Market surveillance authorities also increased cross-border enforcement through the Safety Gate system, meaning non-compliance detected in one member state triggers alerts across all 27.
Do I need an EU Responsible Person for Shopify?
Yes, if you sell physical products to EU customers through Shopify, you need an EU Responsible Person. The GPSR requirement applies to all sales channels — not just Amazon. This includes Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, eBay, your own website, and any other platform where EU consumers can purchase your products.
What documents does my EU Responsible Person need from me?
Your EU Responsible Person needs your company registration details, product descriptions, and any existing compliance documentation (CE marking certificates, test reports, safety data sheets). Eldris collects this during the onboarding process. If you do not have formal test reports, we advise on what testing is required for your specific product category.
Is an EU Authorised Representative the same as an EU Responsible Person?
They overlap but are not identical. An EU Authorised Representative is appointed under specific product directives (such as the Medical Devices Regulation or the Radio Equipment Directive) and acts on behalf of the manufacturer for CE marking purposes. An EU Responsible Person under GPSR has broader product safety obligations covering all consumer goods. For most Amazon sellers, the EU Responsible Person role under GPSR is what Amazon requires. Eldris covers both functions where applicable.