Compliance Checklist

GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation)
Furniture
France 🇫🇷

GPSR compliance for furniture on Amazon.fr: obligations under EU General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988, risk analysis, responsible person and French requirements.

Overview

Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on General Product Safety (GPSR) has applied since December 13, 2024, replacing the old Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC. For furniture on Amazon.fr, GPSR is particularly relevant as there is no EU-wide furniture harmonization directive - GPSR is thus the primary safety regulation. In France, GPSR is overseen by DGCCRF (Direction Generale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Repression des Fraudes). Amazon as an online marketplace has enhanced due-diligence obligations under GPSR: verification of economic operator information, removal of unsafe products, and cooperation with authorities.

Does this apply to my product?

GPSR applies to ALL consumer furniture on Amazon.fr: residential furniture (tables, chairs, cabinets, shelves, beds, sofas, coffee tables), office furniture for home use (desks, office chairs), garden furniture (patio furniture, parasols, garden benches), children's furniture (children's beds, high chairs - additional EN standards apply), storage furniture (dressers, sideboards, wardrobes), mattresses and sleep systems. Exception: antiques and second-hand furniture sold as such, and furniture exclusively intended for commercial use.

Step-by-Step Guide

Progress0/7 (0%)

Determine Economic Operator Role and Designate Responsible Person

GPSR defines clear obligations depending on the economic operator role. As a non-EU manufacturer, you need a responsible person in the EU.

Estimated time: 1-2 Wochen

Determine your role as economic operatorRequired

Determine your GPSR role: manufacturer (if you place furniture on the market under your own name/brand or substantially modify it), importer (if you import furniture from outside the EU and first make available on the EU market), distributor (if you resell furniture already available in the EU). Obligations decrease from manufacturer to distributor, but all roles have due diligence duties.

Designate responsible person in EU (if based outside EU)Required

If the manufacturer is based outside the EU, a responsible person must be designated in the EU. This person is the contact for market surveillance authorities and consumers and must be indicated on the product or packaging with name and contact details. The responsible person must be able to provide technical documentation.

Power of attorney/contract with responsible person in EU

Conduct Risk Analysis and Safety Assessment for Furniture

GPSR requires an internal risk analysis for each product. For furniture, mechanical, physical, and chemical risks must be assessed.

Estimated time: 2-4 Wochen

Create risk analysis for furniture productRequired

Assess the following risks systematically: stability and tipping hazard (especially for tall cabinets, dressers, bookcases - anti-tip standard EN 14749), load-bearing capacity and structural integrity (load tests for chairs EN 12520, tables EN 12521, office furniture EN 527), entrapment hazard and sharp edges (especially with children in household), chemical risks (formaldehyde emission from chipboard, VOC emissions from coatings), fire safety (France has specific requirements for upholstered furniture).

Risk analysis document

Check and comply with relevant EN standardsRequired

Although there is no harmonized EU furniture directive, EN standards define the state of the art for safety: EN 14749 (storage furniture, stability), EN 12520/12521 (chairs/tables, load-bearing), EN 747 (bunk beds), EN 716 (children's beds), EN 14988 (high chairs), EN 527 (office furniture), EN 581 (garden furniture). Compliance with these standards creates a presumption of conformity under GPSR.

Ensure Labeling and Traceability

GPSR requires specific product labeling and traceability. Additional language requirements apply for the French market.

Estimated time: 1-2 Wochen

Apply mandatory labeling on furniture and packagingRequired

On the furniture piece (or packaging if not possible on the product) must be indicated: name/brand and postal address of manufacturer or responsible person in EU, product identification (model designation, article number, batch/serial number), warnings and safety information in French. On Amazon.fr, this information must also be visible in the product listing.

Ensure traceability throughout the supply chainRequired

Every furniture piece must be traceable throughout the supply chain. Document: supplier/manufacturer, production/import date, batch or serial number, storage location and distribution path. This information must be quickly available in case of a product recall.

Prepare and Maintain Technical Documentation

GPSR requires complete technical documentation that must be presented to market surveillance authorities upon request.

Estimated time: 2-3 Wochen

Compile technical documentationRequired

Documentation must contain: general product description and intended use, risk analysis with assessment and measures, test reports (EN standard tests, chemical analyses), evidence of compliance with relevant EN standards, information about the responsible person in the EU. Retention period: 10 years after last placing on the market. DGCCRF can request this documentation at any time.

Complete technical documentation (GPSR dossier)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

No responsible person in EU designated for furniture from non-EU manufacturers

Consequence: Without a responsible person in the EU, the furniture piece may no longer be made available on the EU market since December 13, 2024. Amazon as online marketplace checks economic operator information and removes products without valid EU contact details.

Prevention: Designate a responsible person (Authorized Representative) in the EU before listing furniture from non-EU manufacturers on Amazon.fr. Their contact details must be on the product and in the listing.

Tipping hazard for tall cabinets and dressers not addressed

Consequence: Tipping furniture is one of the most common causes of household accidents (especially with children). DGCCRF regularly conducts focused inspections of storage furniture. Missing anti-tip protection can lead to product recalls and fines.

Prevention: Supply tall furniture (>75cm) with a wall anchoring kit and a clearly visible tipping warning in French. Test stability per EN 14749.

Safety information and warnings not in French

Consequence: In France, ALL consumer-relevant information must be in French: assembly instructions, warnings, care instructions, safety information. Violation of Loi Toubon (language law) with fines. Amazon.fr can suspend listings with non-French safety notices.

Prevention: Have all product information professionally translated into French: assembly instructions, warnings, care instructions, Amazon listing product description.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1Do furniture products need CE marking?

No. There is no EU harmonization directive for general furniture, therefore no CE obligation. GPSR is the governing safety regulation. Exceptions: children's furniture falling under the Toy Safety Directive (e.g., chairs for toddlers) and electrical furniture (e.g., recliners with electric motor) require CE.

Q2What are French fire safety requirements for upholstered furniture?

France has less strict fire safety requirements for upholstered furniture than the UK. There is no specific French standard equivalent to the British Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations. However, GPSR requires a risk analysis including fire hazard, and the use of flammable filling materials must be assessed.

Q3What happens if DGCCRF objects to my furniture?

DGCCRF can: request document submission (to be provided within 10 working days), order product testing, impose a distribution ban, order a product recall, and impose fines. Under GPSR, DGCCRF can also directly request Amazon to remove the product. Therefore, always keep technical documentation ready.