CandleGPSREU Responsible Person: what it is and where sellers usually find one
CandleGPSR does not act as a Responsible Person, does not recommend any provider, and has no affiliate links. This page lists common types of options so you know what to search for. Not legal advice.
The rule in short
Under GPSR Art. 16(1), a consumer product may not be placed on the EU market unless an economic operator established in the EU is responsible for certain tasks for it (the tasks in Art. 4(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020: keeping documentation available, cooperating with authorities, informing them of risks). Their name and postal and electronic address must appear on the product, its packaging, the parcel or an accompanying document (Art. 16(3)), and on the online listing when the manufacturer is outside the EU (Art. 19(b)).
Who can be the Responsible Person
- The manufacturer itself, if it is established in the EU.
- An importer established in the EU, where the manufacturer is not.
- An authorised representative in the EU, appointed by the manufacturer under a written mandate (GPSR Art. 10).
- A fulfilment service provider established in the EU, where none of the above is established in the EU.
Kinds of services sellers use
| Type | What it usually is | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Authorised-representative / RP subscription services | EU-based companies that sign a written mandate and are listed as your RP, often priced per year and per number of products. | Which EU country are they in? Is the mandate in writing? What is the per-product limit? What happens if an authority contacts them? Can you cancel? |
| Compliance consultancies offering RP as part of a package | Firms bundling RP with label review or documentation help. | Which parts are legal services vs. templates? Who is liable for what? |
| Your EU importer or distributor | A wholesale buyer or importer in the EU that agrees to take on the role. | Do they hold your technical documentation? Is their name on your packaging? |
| EU fulfilment / warehousing providers | Some fulfilment services act as RP for goods they store and ship. | Does the role cover marketplace orders shipped from outside their warehouse? |
| Setting up your own EU establishment | An EU company or branch that acts as manufacturer or importer. | Cost, tax and accounting — talk to a local adviser. |
| Marketplace partner lists | Etsy's Help Center names third-party RP providers it has partnered with; Amazon offers provider directories in Seller Central. | Compare terms yourself; a marketplace listing is not a guarantee. |
Before you sign
- Get a written mandate and keep a copy.
- Make sure you can give them your technical documentation and risk analysis (GPSR Art. 9(2)).
- Agree how complaints and accident reports reach you (Art. 9(11), Art. 20).
- Add their details to labels and packaging, not only to listings.
Sources: Regulation (EU) 2023/988 Art. 10, 16, 19; Etsy Seller Handbook and Help Center articles on the GPSR.