This article explains the key EU regulations you need to follow when selling on online marketplaces. Compliance helps you avoid sales suspensions, fines, and business disruptions.
Contents
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
- Value Added Tax (VAT)
- General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
- Digital Services Act (DSA)
Marketplaces must verify seller compliance with EU regulations. As a seller, you are responsible for providing correct information and meeting requirements.
Here are the key EU regulations to consider when you list your products on an online marketplace.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
What is EPR
EPR is largely based on the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). It’s a producer policy that makes producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including collection, recycling, and disposal of products and packaging.
For sellers, EPR typically applies to:
- Packaging
- Electronics (WEEE)
- Batteries
How to comply
- Identify applicable EPR categories for your products
- Register with national authorities in each country where you're a producer
- Join a certified take-back scheme and report your volumes
Each EU country has its own EPR system and registry. For more information, contact your relevant regional authorities.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
What is VAT
VAT is a consumer tax on sales for goods and services in the EU that’s collected throughout the supply chain.
Proper VAT handling ensures you charge the right rates, correctly file and manage tax declarations, and avoid marketplace issues.
How to comply
Each EU country has its own defined regulations for VAT rates and reporting. For more information about your VAT obligations, contact your local tax authorities.
General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
What is GPSR
GPSR is a regulation that came into effect December 13, 2024. It modernized the EU’s product safety rules to better protect consumers. It applies to all non-food consumer products sold in the EU.
GPSR introduced new requirements that affect all economic operators in the supply chain, including online sellers. It mandates that products must have:
- A responsible person based in the EU who acts as a point of contact for authorities
- Manufacturer details/Traceability information on the product, its packaging, or a label, including the name and contact information of the manufacturer and responsible person
- Correct safety warnings in the language of that target country
How to comply
Ensure you provide and/or update your product data in the Build step to meet GPSR requirements for the marketplace you want to list on. Your listings should include all required contact and traceability information.
If your business is outside the EU, you need an authorized representative, importer, or fulfillment service provider to act as your responsible person if you want to sell on an EU marketplace.
Digital Services Act (DSA)
What is DSA
DSA is an EU law that was introduced to make the internet safer by placing obligations on platforms like marketplaces to combat illegal and harmful content and the sale of illegal goods.
For sellers, this means marketplaces need to take a proactive role in monitoring products listed on their platforms. Depending on the platform, this could lead to stricter enforcement of product policies.
How to comply
- Review your items to make sure their product titles, descriptions, and images are accurate and truthful.
- Comply with marketplace policies and make sure they don’t violate their terms of service or a country’s laws.
- Be prepared for changes as, since DSA is still being implemented, your products might need to be revisited based on new data requirements or policy changes from the marketplace.