EU Regulations for marketplaces

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.

Marketplaces must verify seller compliance with EU regulations. As a seller, you are responsible for providing correct information and meeting requirements.

Disclaimer

This article is not legal advice and the views and comments are of a general nature only. This article does not substitute for detailed legal advice. We recommend consulting with a legal professional or a specialized compliance service provider to ensure your business fully complies with all applicable regulations.

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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 categoriesDetermine which EPR categories apply to your products in the countries where you sell.Register with national authoritiesRegister with the relevant national authorities in each country where you're considered a producer.Join a certified take-back scheme and report volumesJoin a certified take-back scheme for the applicable categories and report your product and packaging volumes as required by the local system.

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.

Note: Before you decide to list a product, confirm that they meet all safety standards.

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.