GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation)
Clothing & Fashion
United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Determine regulatory role: UK manufacturer, importer or distributorRequired

You are a UK importer if you bring clothing from outside the UK (including the EU) into Great Britain. Private label sellers additionally qualify as manufacturers. Since Brexit, the EU is a third country – EU manufacturers need a UK importer or UK Responsible Person. Your role determines the scope of your compliance obligations.

Appoint UK Responsible Person with UK addressRequired

The UK Responsible Person must be a natural or legal person based in Great Britain (England, Wales or Scotland). They are the point of contact for OPSS and local Trading Standards, must hold technical documentation and safety evidence, and are responsible for communication regarding product safety issues. Northern Ireland partially continues to follow EU rules under the Windsor Framework.

UK RP contact details stated on product label or packagingRequired

The name and UK postal address of the UK Responsible Person must be stated on the product, packaging or an accompanying document. An EU address is not sufficient. For multilingual labels, the UK address can be added alongside the EU address.

Fibre composition stated in English on the labelRequired

Every textile product must carry a permanently attached label showing fibre composition in English. Fibre names must correspond to the designations defined in the Regulations (e.g., 'cotton', 'polyester', 'wool'). For blends, all fibres must be listed with percentage by weight in descending order. Fibres under 5% may be grouped as 'other fibres'.

Care labelling and size information applied

Care labelling per BS EN ISO 3758 is not legally mandatory in the UK but is industry standard and expected by Amazon.co.uk. Size information must follow the UK sizing system or provide a conversion table. Country of origin ('Made in...') is recommended by Trading Standards.

UK REACH restrictions for textiles verifiedRequired

Check UK REACH Annex XVII restrictions: azo dyes (Entry 43 – certain amines max. 30 mg/kg), nickel (Entry 27 – release rate for metal parts), formaldehyde, phthalates, PFAS/PFC (water-repellent coatings), lead and cadmium, chromium VI (in leather parts). UK REACH lists may differ from EU REACH – always check the current UK version.

Substance testing by accredited laboratory completedRequired

Have textile products tested by a UKAS-accredited laboratory. Recommended tests: azo dyes (BS EN 14362-1 and -3), formaldehyde (BS EN ISO 14184-1), pH value (BS EN ISO 3071), nickel release (BS EN 1811), saliva and perspiration fastness for children's clothing (BS EN ISO 105-E04). Keep test reports for at least 10 years.

Children's clothing checked for cords and drawstrings per BS EN 14682Required

BS EN 14682 applies to all children's clothing (ages 0-14). Neck/hood area up to 7 years: cords completely prohibited. 7-14 years: maximum free-end length, no decorative ends. Chest/waist: max. 14 cm protruding. Lower hem: no cords reaching the ground. Non-compliant children's clothing is immediately removed from the market.

Nightwear flammability tested per UK regulationsRequired

The Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985 (SI 1985/2043) apply to nightwear and dressing gowns for all age groups. Children's nightwear must additionally meet BS 5722. Testing per BS 5438. Babywear up to 3 months and close-fitting pyjamas may be exempt. Non-compliant nightwear can lead to criminal prosecution by Trading Standards.

Small parts and choking hazards on children's clothing checkedRequired

Check all children's clothing for loose or easily detachable small parts: buttons, sequins, rivets, zipper pulls, appliques. All small parts must pass the small parts test (diameter 31.7 mm). Packaging films must carry suffocation warnings. Amazon.co.uk can immediately suspend listings following customer complaints.

Risk assessment for the clothing product preparedRequired

Prepare a written risk assessment: mechanical risks (cords, small parts), chemical risks (pollutants, dyes), flammability (nightwear), suffocation risks (packaging), allergy risks (nickel, latex). The assessment must consider the intended user group and foreseeable misuse.

Technical documentation compiled and held by UK RPRequired

Compile a technical dossier: product description with photos, risk assessment, test reports (pollutants, flammability, mechanical safety), fibre composition analysis, supplier information, labelling evidence. Retain documentation for 10 years. The UK Responsible Person must have access to all documents.

Traceability and incident reporting obligations establishedRequired

Ensure every product is traceable via batch or article numbers. Establish a process to report safety issues to OPSS within 10 days (via the Product Safety Database portal). For serious risks, you must initiate a voluntary recall and cooperate with Trading Standards. Document the entire supply chain from manufacturer to end consumer.

UK Responsible Person registered in Seller CentralRequired

Register the UK Responsible Person with full UK address in Amazon Seller Central under compliance settings. Amazon increasingly requires this for all product categories and may deactivate listings without this information.

Compliance documents kept ready for Amazon requestsRequired

Keep ready: test reports (pollutants, flammability), fibre composition evidence, risk assessment, OEKO-TEX certificate (if available), photos of labelling. Amazon may request these documents at any time. Respond within the deadline (usually 5-10 business days) to avoid listing suspension.