Compliance Checklist

GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation)
Furniture
Germany 🇩🇪

GPSR compliance for furniture on Amazon Germany: obligations for manufacturers, importers and distributors, risk assessment, costs and common mistakes.

Overview

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Regulation (EU) 2023/988, has been in force since December 13, 2024 and is the central safety framework for furniture in the EU. Since there is no specific EU furniture directive, the GPSR is the primary legal basis for the safety of furniture products on Amazon.de. It obliges all economic operators – manufacturers, importers, distributors and fulfilment service providers – to comply with comprehensive safety, traceability and information obligations.

Does this apply to my product?

The GPSR applies to all furniture and furnishing items sold to consumers on Amazon.de: shelves, cabinets, tables, chairs, beds, dressers, TV units, coffee tables, desks, outdoor furniture, children's furniture (unless covered by the Toy Safety Directive or EN 716/EN 1130) and other home furniture. Flat-pack furniture requiring assembly is also fully covered by the GPSR. Exceptions include antiques and products falling under sector-specific EU harmonisation legislation with their own safety requirements.

Step-by-Step Guide

Progress0/14 (0%)

Determine your role as economic operator and derive obligations

The GPSR defines different obligations depending on your role in the supply chain. Correctly identifying your role is the first step towards compliance.

Estimated time: 1-2 Tage

Own role as economic operator identified (manufacturer, importer, distributor or fulfilment service provider)Required

Manufacturer: Develops or has products manufactured under their own name/brand. Importer: Brings products from outside the EU into the EU market. Distributor: Offers products without being manufacturer or importer. Fulfilment service provider: Offers storage, packaging or shipping (e.g. Amazon FBA warehouses themselves).

Responsible Person in the EU designated (Art. 16 GPSR)Required

If the manufacturer is based outside the EU and there is no importer or authorised representative in the EU, a Responsible Person in the EU must be designated. This person must be indicated on the product or packaging with contact details.

Appointment agreement with the Responsible Person (if applicable)

Conduct risk assessment and safety analysis

The GPSR requires manufacturers and importers to ensure that the furniture product is safe. This includes an internal risk analysis taking into account furniture-specific hazards.

Estimated time: 3-7 Tage

Risk analysis for furniture-specific hazards completedRequired

Typical furniture risks: tip-over risk for cabinets and shelves (especially without wall anchoring), pinch hazards at drawers and folding parts, sharp edges and corners, breakage risk for glass parts, harmful substances in paints, coatings and adhesives (e.g. formaldehyde), suffocation risk from packaging material for children.

Written risk analysis evaluating all identified hazards

Relevant EN standards checked and complied withRequired

Relevant standards for furniture: EN 14749 (storage/cabinet furniture), EN 16139 (chairs and tables for public use), EN 747 (bunk beds/high beds), EN 12520 (seating for domestic use), EN 12521 (tables for domestic use). Compliance with harmonised standards creates a presumption of conformity.

Harmful substance testing for coatings and materialsRequired

Test paints, coatings, upholstery and adhesives for harmful substances: formaldehyde (REACH compliant per Annex XVII No. 72), heavy metals, plasticisers in faux leather/upholstery. Particularly strict for children's furniture.

Harmful substance test report from an accredited laboratory

Ensure technical documentation and traceability

The GPSR requires complete traceability and technical documentation that must be presented to authorities on request.

Estimated time: 3-5 Tage

Technical documentation compiledRequired

Content: product description with material specifications, risk analysis, applied standards and test reports, production controls, photos of the product and labelling, assembly and safety instructions.

Technical documentation as a coherent dossier

Traceability ensured (batch number, model identification)Required

Each furniture product must be uniquely identifiable: model designation, batch/serial number, manufacturer details. This information must be affixed to the product or packaging.

Apply labelling and consumer information

The GPSR requires that consumers receive all necessary information to use the product safely. Contact details of the economic operator must be stated on the product or packaging.

Estimated time: 2-4 Tage

Contact details of manufacturer and/or Responsible Person on product/packagingRequired

Mandatory information: name, registered trade name or registered trademark, postal address and electronic contact (email, URL or phone). For importers: additionally importer details.

Assembly instructions and safety warnings in German language includedRequired

For the German market, assembly instructions and safety warnings in German are mandatory. For flat-pack furniture: clear assembly drawings, note about wall anchoring for tip-over risk, warning against freestanding use for cabinets above 60 cm height.

Assembly and safety instructions in German language

Warnings for foreseeable misuse appliedRequired

Warnings must cover foreseeable misuse: e.g. state maximum load capacity, warning against climbing on shelves (children), note that wall anchoring is required, not-for-outdoor-use note for indoor furniture.

Set up reporting obligations and corrective measures

The GPSR obliges economic operators to inform authorities when safety defects become known and to initiate corrective measures. An internal process must be established.

Estimated time: 1-3 Tage

Internal complaints register and recall procedure establishedRequired

Maintain a register of customer complaints and defective products. Define a process for recalls and market withdrawals. In Germany: report to BAuA via the EU Safety Business Gateway.

Contact point for authorities and consumers establishedRequired

The GPSR requires that authorities and consumers can easily contact the economic operator. Set up a dedicated email address or phone number for product safety inquiries.

Complete Amazon listing with GPSR mandatory fields

Since December 2024, Amazon requires GPSR mandatory information in Seller Central. Without correct details, listing suspension is possible.

Estimated time: 1-2 Tage

GPSR mandatory fields in Amazon Seller Central completedRequired

The following GPSR data must be entered in Seller Central: manufacturer name and address, name and address of the Responsible Person in the EU (if manufacturer outside EU), email address or website for contact, warnings and safety information.

Product images with visible labels and safety warnings

Ensure Amazon product images show the labelling (manufacturer details, model number, warnings). For flat-pack furniture: image of the included wall anchoring kit if available.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

No Responsible Person in the EU designated for third-country manufacturers

Consequence: Without a Responsible Person per Art. 16 GPSR, the furniture product may not be sold on Amazon.de since December 2024. Amazon can suspend the listing and market surveillance authorities can impose fines.

Prevention: Designate a Responsible Person based in the EU before starting sales. This can be an authorised representative, the importer themselves or a specialised GPSR service provider.

Ignoring tip-over protection for shelves and cabinets

Consequence: Tipping furniture is one of the most common causes of household accidents, especially involving children. Missing tip-over protection can lead to recalls, liability claims and severe reputational damage. There were fatal incidents with IKEA dressers in the USA – EU authorities pay particular attention.

Prevention: Include a wall anchoring kit with every cabinet and shelf over 60 cm. Add clearly visible warnings. Test tip-over safety according to EN 14749.

Assembly instructions only in English or Chinese included

Consequence: Violation of the German Product Safety Act (ProdSG) and the GPSR. Customers may assemble furniture incorrectly, leading to safety risks. Amazon returns and negative reviews increase significantly.

Prevention: Ensure assembly instructions and safety warnings are available in German. Ideally with clear drawings that are understandable regardless of language.

GPSR mandatory fields in Amazon Seller Central not completed

Consequence: Amazon has activated GPSR mandatory fields since December 2024. Missing information can lead to suspension of the listing or the entire seller account.

Prevention: Complete all GPSR fields in Seller Central: manufacturer data, Responsible Person, contact details, warnings. Check existing listings for completeness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1Do furniture products need CE marking?

No. Since there is no specific EU directive for furniture that requires CE marking, furniture products must not bear a CE mark – it would even be misleading. The safety of furniture is instead regulated by the GPSR (Regulation (EU) 2023/988), which does not require CE marking but has its own requirements for safety, traceability and economic operator information.

Q2What happens if I don't fill in the GPSR mandatory fields as an Amazon seller?

Amazon can suspend your listing or your entire seller account. Since December 2024, Amazon enforces the provision of manufacturer data, Responsible Person and contact information. Additionally, German market surveillance authorities (BAuA, state authorities) can prohibit sales and impose fines under the ProdSG.

Q3Which harmful substances are particularly relevant for furniture?

Formaldehyde is the most common problematic substance in furniture – it is found in chipboard, MDF, adhesives and paints. The REACH Regulation (Annex XVII No. 72) limits formaldehyde content. Other relevant substances: heavy metals in paints (lead, cadmium), plasticisers (phthalates) in faux leather and PVC coatings, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Particularly strict limits apply to children's furniture.

Q4Does the GPSR also apply to garden furniture and outdoor products?

Yes. The GPSR applies to all consumer products, including garden furniture and outdoor furnishings. Outdoor furniture has additional risks: UV resistance of materials, weather resistance of connections, slip resistance on wet surfaces. Safety requirements and information obligations are identical to indoor furniture.

Q5What is the difference between GPSR and the German Product Safety Act (ProdSG)?

The GPSR (Regulation (EU) 2023/988) applies directly across the EU and replaces the old Directive 2001/95/EC. The ProdSG is the German national product safety law regulating market surveillance, fines and enforcement in Germany. Both complement each other: the GPSR defines the requirements, the ProdSG governs implementation and sanctions at national level. Amazon sellers must comply with both.

GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation)FurnitureGermany 🇩🇪