Compliance Checklist

GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation)
Pet Supplies
United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Complete compliance checklist for selling pet supplies on Amazon.co.uk — UK General Product Safety Regulations 2005, feed regulations, OPSS requirements and UK Responsible Person.

Overview

Selling pet supplies in the United Kingdom is governed by a standalone post-Brexit regulatory framework. The UK General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (GPSR) form the foundation for all non-food pet products, while pet food is additionally subject to retained EU Regulation (EC) 767/2009 in its UK form. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) oversees product safety, while the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for pet food safety. Since Brexit, a UK Responsible Person based in the United Kingdom is mandatory. The Product Safety and Metrology Bill (2024/2025) modernises the framework and strengthens online marketplace obligations. Amazon.co.uk requires full compliance documentation including a UK address and UKCA/CE marking.

Does this apply to my product?

This checklist applies to all pet products sold on Amazon.co.uk, including: pet food and treats, toys and chew toys, leads, collars and harnesses, beds and carriers, grooming products and shampoos, aquarium and terrarium accessories, and electrical pet products (e.g. heat mats, automatic feeders). Particularly relevant for EU/EEA sellers exporting to the UK market post-Brexit who require a UK Responsible Person.

Step-by-Step Guide

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Product classification and regulatory mapping

Determine the exact product category and identify all applicable UK regulations. Pet products may fall under multiple regulatory frameworks simultaneously — e.g. an electrical aquarium heater falls under both the GPSR and the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.

Estimated time: 3-5 days

Determine product type and risk classRequired

Classify your product: non-food pet product (GPSR 2005), pet food (retained Reg 767/2009 + Feed Safety Regulations), electrical product (Electrical Equipment Safety Regs 2016), animal cosmetic/grooming product, or combination. Check the OPSS product safety database for existing recalls in your category.

Product classification document with commodity code and applicable regulations

Identify applicable UK standards (BS/EN/designated standards)Required

Identify the relevant UK designated standards (formerly harmonised EU standards). For pet products, typical standards include: BS EN 71 (toy safety, if pet toys are also accessible to children), BS EN 62115 (electric toys), BS EN ISO 10993 (biocompatibility for materials with skin contact). Check the BSI database and the OPSS list of designated standards.

List of applicable UK designated standards with reference numbers

Check pet food-specific requirements (if applicable)

If your product includes pet food or treats: check retained EU Regulation 767/2009 (labelling and marketing of feed), the Animal Feed (England) Regulations 2010 (or equivalent regulations for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), TSE regulations, and the registration requirement with the relevant Local Authority. Registration as a Feed Business Operator (FBO) with the relevant Local Authority is mandatory.

FBO registration confirmation with the relevant Local AuthorityFeed composition and analysis certificate

Establish UK Responsible Person

Since Brexit, all products on the UK market must have a UK Responsible Person — a natural or legal person based in the United Kingdom who is liable for product safety to OPSS and Trading Standards. This applies particularly to non-UK manufacturers and is a hard compliance requirement on Amazon.co.uk.

Estimated time: 1-2 weeks

Appoint or engage a UK Responsible PersonRequired

Appoint a UK Responsible Person in accordance with the Product Safety Regulations. Options: (a) own UK subsidiary/establishment, (b) UK importer as Responsible Person, (c) appointed UK Authorised Representative. The UK RP must be stated on the product or packaging with name and UK address. The Product Safety and Metrology Bill extends UK RP obligations — check the current legislative status.

Authorisation agreement with UK Responsible Person (if external provider)Proof of UK address of the Responsible Person

Apply UK address on product and packagingRequired

The UK address of the Responsible Person must be visibly applied on the product, packaging, or an accompanying document. For pet food, the name and address of the person responsible for labelling must additionally be stated (retained Reg 767/2009, Art. 12). Amazon.co.uk actively checks for the UK address and may suppress listings if it is missing.

Sample of updated label/packaging with UK address

Product testing and safety assessment

Conduct a comprehensive safety assessment and have your product tested by a UKAS-accredited laboratory. The GPSR 2005 requires that only safe products are placed on the market. For pet products, mechanical safety, chemical safety, and — for feed products — microbiological safety are central.

Estimated time: 2-4 weeks

Create safety assessment and risk assessmentRequired

Create a documented risk assessment in accordance with GPSR 2005. Consider: mechanical hazards (choking risk, sharp edges, suffocation risk), chemical hazards (heavy metals, phthalates, prohibited dyes under UK REACH — the UK version of the EU REACH regulation, administered by HSE), and for feed products: mycotoxins, salmonella, prohibited ingredients (Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients List). Also consider risks to children in the household.

Risk assessment document with identified hazards and mitigation measures

Conduct laboratory tests at a UKAS-accredited labRequired

Have your product tested at a UKAS-accredited testing house (e.g. SGS UK, Intertek, TUeV SUD). Typical tests for pet products: mechanical strength and abrasion tests (toys), migration of heavy metals and chemical substances (UK REACH compliant), flammability (textile products like beds), electrical safety (BS EN 60335 for electrical appliances), and for feed: nutritional analysis, microbiological testing, residue analysis. UKAS is the British equivalent of DAkkS — only UKAS-accredited results are accepted by OPSS and Trading Standards.

Test reports from UKAS-accredited laboratoryUKAS accreditation certificate of the laboratory

Compile technical documentationRequired

Create complete technical documentation in accordance with GPSR 2005: product description and specifications, risk assessment, applied standards, test reports, production controls, UK Responsible Person details. Documentation must be in English and must be made available to the UK Responsible Person and OPSS within 10 days upon request.

Complete technical documentation (Technical File)

Design UK-compliant labelling and packaging

Ensure all labelling meets UK-specific requirements. Post-Brexit, separate rules apply for UKCA marking, English-language mandatory information, and UK-specific warnings. For pet food, the labelling requirements of retained Reg 767/2009 additionally apply.

Estimated time: 1-2 weeks

Check UKCA marking and CE transitional arrangementRequired

Since Brexit, UKCA marking (UK Conformity Assessed) is required for regulated products. CE marking is accepted transitionally until the end of 2027 (extended by the Product Safety and Metrology Bill). Check whether your pet product falls under a specific regulation requiring UKCA (e.g. Electrical Equipment Safety Regs, Toys Safety Regs if also suitable for children). For general pet products under GPSR 2005, UKCA is not mandatory but recommended. For Northern Ireland, CE requirements continue to apply (Windsor Framework).

UK Declaration of Conformity (if UKCA required)

UK-compliant product labelling in EnglishRequired

All mandatory information must be in English. For non-food pet products: product name, batch number/traceability, name and UK address of manufacturer or UK Responsible Person, safety warnings and instructions for use, age warnings if relevant. For pet food (retained Reg 767/2009): feed type, composition (ingredients in descending order), analytical constituents, feeding guidelines, best before date, net weight, batch number, name and address of the responsible person. All weights in metric units (grams, kilograms).

Final label artwork with all UK mandatory information

Check UK Packaging Regulations (pEPR) and environmental requirementsRequired

Check obligations under Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR), which is being phased in. From 2025, large producers (annual turnover over GBP 2 million and over 50 tonnes of packaging) must pay pEPR fees to the Environment Agency. Smaller sellers are currently exempt but should monitor thresholds. Additionally: check UK Packaging Waste Regulations for recycling labelling and the UK Plastic Packaging Tax (tax-free from 30% recycled plastic content).

pEPR registration (if above thresholds) or exemption evidence

Meet Amazon.co.uk compliance requirements

Amazon.co.uk has specific compliance requirements for pet products that may exceed statutory minimum requirements. Prepare all documentation and upload it to Seller Central to avoid listing suppressions.

Estimated time: 3-5 days

Set up Amazon Product Compliance PortalRequired

Upload all required documents in Amazon Seller Central under 'Product Compliance': UK Declaration of Conformity, test reports from UKAS-accredited laboratories, UK Responsible Person information (name, UK address, contact details), Safety Data Sheets (if chemical products like shampoos), and for pet food: FSA registration proof as FBO. Since 2024, Amazon explicitly requires UK Responsible Person data in the GPSR compliance widget.

All compliance documents in Amazon-compliant format (PDF, max 5MB)

Create UK-compliant listing contentRequired

Design your Amazon.co.uk listings to be UK-compliant: all information in British English, weights in metric units (g, kg), dimensions in cm, no health claims without evidence (particularly for feed supplements — check Veterinary Medicines Directorate rules), correct safety warnings in bullet points, and UK Responsible Person information in the designated field. Avoid terms implying medical effects (e.g. 'cures', 'treats').

Final listing copy with all compliance information

Ongoing monitoring and post-market surveillance

The GPSR 2005 and the Product Safety and Metrology Bill oblige manufacturers and importers to conduct ongoing market surveillance. Establish processes for complaint management, recalls, and cooperation with OPSS and Trading Standards.

Estimated time: ongoing

Establish post-market surveillance systemRequired

Establish a system for ongoing product monitoring: monitoring Amazon reviews and A-to-Z claims for safety-related complaints, regular review of OPSS Product Safety Alerts, documented complaint handling with escalation process, reporting obligation to OPSS for serious risks (via the Product Safety Database Notification Gateway), and cooperation with Trading Standards on enquiries. The Product Safety and Metrology Bill tightens reporting obligations for online marketplaces.

Post-market surveillance plan with responsibilities and escalation levels

Ensure recall plan and traceabilityRequired

Create a documented recall plan: clear batch marking on all products, traceability from end consumer to manufacturer, named recall coordinator at the UK Responsible Person, communication templates for OPSS notifications and customer communication, budget provision for potential recalls. Amazon.co.uk can independently suppress listings for safety concerns and requires rapid response (typically 48 hours).

Recall plan with flow chart and contact listBatch tracking system documentation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not appointing a UK Responsible Person or providing only an EU address

Consequence: Amazon.co.uk suppresses the listing immediately. OPSS can stop imports at the border and impose fines of up to GBP 10,000. Trading Standards can initiate criminal prosecution.

Prevention: Engage a UK Responsible Person before the first sale and ensure their UK address appears on packaging and Amazon listing.

Selling pet food without FBO registration with the Local Authority

Consequence: Breach of Animal Feed Regulations — fines, product seizure, and entry in the OPSS enforcement register. Amazon may suspend the seller account.

Prevention: Register as a Feed Business Operator with the relevant Local Authority before listing pet food. Registration is free and takes approximately 28 days.

Using EU test reports without UK recognition

Consequence: OPSS and Trading Standards only accept reports from UKAS-accredited laboratories or those with corresponding MRA agreements. Unrecognised reports are treated as missing testing.

Prevention: Commission a UKAS-accredited laboratory or check whether your EU lab has a Mutual Recognition Agreement with UKAS. Many large testing houses (SGS, Intertek, TUeV) have dual-accredited locations.

Making health claims for pet food without evidence

Consequence: Breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013. Unfounded health claims can lead to classification as a veterinary medicine — requiring VMD authorisation.

Prevention: Use only supportable nutritional claims and avoid medical terminology. Have claims reviewed by a UK Regulatory Affairs consultant before using them in listings.

Incorrectly applying UKCA/CE marking or missing transitional deadlines

Consequence: After the transitional deadline (currently end of 2027), products with only CE marking will no longer be marketable in GB. Incorrect UKCA marking is a breach of the respective product regulation.

Prevention: Plan the UKCA transition in good time and monitor legislative changes via the OPSS newsletter and gov.uk. For Northern Ireland (Windsor Framework), CE remains valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1Do I need a UK Responsible Person if I ship via Amazon FBA?

Yes, absolutely. Amazon FBA is a logistics provider but does not assume the role of UK Responsible Person. As a seller, you are obligated to appoint a UK RP who is liable for product safety to OPSS and Trading Standards. Since 2024, Amazon.co.uk requires UK RP data in the Product Compliance Portal and can suppress listings without this information.

Q2Is CE marking still accepted in the UK?

Yes, transitionally. The British government has extended recognition of CE marking until the end of 2027 (Product Safety and Metrology Bill). After that, only UKCA will be accepted for products under specific UK regulations. For Northern Ireland, CE continues to apply under the Windsor Framework. General pet products under GPSR 2005 require neither CE nor UKCA but must meet all safety requirements.

Q3Which authority is responsible for pet food in the UK — OPSS or FSA?

Both have different responsibilities. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for pet food safety and labelling (feed hygiene, composition, declaration). OPSS oversees general product safety, particularly for non-food pet products. Trading Standards at local level conducts enforcement for both areas. For chemical substances, the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) is additionally responsible via UK REACH.

Q4Can SpaceGoats support me with UK compliance for pet products on Amazon?

Yes, SpaceGoats has extensive experience in Amazon compliance management and can accompany the entire process — from product classification through arranging a UK Responsible Person to creating UK-compliant listings. As a specialised Amazon service provider, SpaceGoats knows the current Amazon.co.uk requirements and can ensure your pet products can be sold without listing interruptions.

Q5Do I need to register for UK Packaging EPR (pEPR)?

This depends on your turnover and packaging volume. The pEPR obligation currently applies to businesses with annual UK turnover over GBP 2 million AND over 50 tonnes of packaging per year. Smaller sellers are currently exempt but should monitor thresholds as the government plans expansion. Registration is with the Environment Agency. Amazon FBA packaging counts towards the seller's packaging volume.

Q6Do different rules apply for Northern Ireland compared to England, Scotland and Wales?

Yes, due to the Windsor Framework (formerly Northern Ireland Protocol), EU regulations for goods continue to apply in Northern Ireland. This means: CE marking remains valid (not UKCA), EU feed regulations apply directly, and EU GPSR 2023/988 applies instead of UK GPSR 2005. Products with the 'UK(NI)' mark can be sold in both Northern Ireland and GB. For GB-only sales (England, Scotland, Wales), only UK regulations apply.

GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation)Pet SuppliesUnited Kingdom 🇬🇧