Collars, leashes, toys, and bowls for pets are not only everyday items but also products that can directly impact the well-being of millions of pets and consumers in Europe. Since its introduction in December 2024, the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) has played an increasingly important role in the pet industry, particularly with regard to physical, chemical and digital risks, traceability and consumer information.
TÜV SÜD emphasizes that the regulation establishes a clear framework for manufacturers, importers, and retailers, helping them to provide safe and compliant products for pets and consumers.
“Regulation (EU) 2023/988 protects not only animals but also consumers, including particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities who use these products,” explains Cristina Marafante, Technical Expert for toy safety, food contact products, and chemical safety at TÜV SÜD. “The focus on safety, traceability, and accountability throughout the entire supply chain strengthens consumer confidence and promotes uniform safety standards across the European Union.”
Pet Market: A Growing and Strategically Important Sector
The European pet market comprises over 166 million households with at least one pet, totalling around 352 million animals. The European pet industry is valued at over 53 billion euros (FEDIAF European Pet Food). These figures highlight the importance of consistently ensuring the safety and quality of pet accessories to reliably protect both animals and consumers.
Impact on Pet Accessories
All pet accessory products, including textiles, toys, electronic devices, bowls, carriers, mats and grooming and hygiene products, must be assessed in accordance with the GPSR and other relevant EU regulations, including the REACH Regulation, the Toy Safety Directive and the RoHS Directive. The goal is to ensure a high and uniform level of safety within the EU. For instance, a lead must be strong enough to withstand tension; a toy must not break easily; and bowls must not release substances that are harmful to health.
Technical Dossier: The Core of Conformity
In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/988, every manufacturer must create, update, and retain a technical dossier for at least ten years. This includes, among other things:
• Description of the product and the materials used
• EU Declaration of Conformity
• Analysis of chemical, mechanical, and electrical risks, as well as risks arising from foreseeable misuse
• Applicable procedures and test methods
• Test reports and, where applicable, certifications
• Instructions for safe use and warnings
• Traceability and product identification (e.g., batch or serial number, brand information, manufacturer contact details)
Importers and distributors must have access to relevant parts of the technical documentation to ensure that only compliant products are placed on the market.
Online sales and marketplaces
Products sold via e-commerce must meet the same safety and information requirements as products sold in physical stores. Online sellers must register with Safety Gate, immediately remove unsafe products and provide clear information on the manufacturer and product identification and warning notices. Imported products may not be placed on the European market without an economic operator established in the EU.
Shared responsibility along the supply chain
The Regulation defines clear responsibilities for all economic operators, i.e., manufacturers, importers, distributors, and logistics service providers. All parties involved must ensure that only safe products are placed on the market. In the event of serious risks, they must halt distribution and notify the authorities.
Consumer rights and market surveillance
In the case of dangerous products, rapid warning and recall processes are triggered via the EU “Safety Gate” portal. Consumers must be informed immediately and are entitled to effective remedies at no additional cost. Competent authorities in the EU member states have expanded coordination and control tools at the European level.
Recommendations for manufacturers, importers, and distributors
TÜV SÜD recommends continuously updating internal conformity processes and technical documentation, conducting appropriate tests in accordance with relevant standards, carefully designing labelling and instructions for use, and systematically implementing traceability and market surveillance. Equally important are training programs for employees and raising awareness among partners and distribution channels. Companies should also engage external technical expertise at an early stage to efficiently meet regulatory requirements.
In summary, Regulation (EU) 2023/988 establishes a legal obligation and, at the same time, provides an opportunity to strengthen the quality and safety of pet accessories in Europe sustainably and offer consumers a high level of confidence in the safety of products.
Further information:
TÜV SÜD emphasizes that the regulation establishes a clear framework for manufacturers, importers, and retailers, helping them to provide safe and compliant products for pets and consumers.
“Regulation (EU) 2023/988 protects not only animals but also consumers, including particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities who use these products,” explains Cristina Marafante, Technical Expert for toy safety, food contact products, and chemical safety at TÜV SÜD. “The focus on safety, traceability, and accountability throughout the entire supply chain strengthens consumer confidence and promotes uniform safety standards across the European Union.”
Pet Market: A Growing and Strategically Important Sector
The European pet market comprises over 166 million households with at least one pet, totalling around 352 million animals. The European pet industry is valued at over 53 billion euros (FEDIAF European Pet Food). These figures highlight the importance of consistently ensuring the safety and quality of pet accessories to reliably protect both animals and consumers.
Impact on Pet Accessories
All pet accessory products, including textiles, toys, electronic devices, bowls, carriers, mats and grooming and hygiene products, must be assessed in accordance with the GPSR and other relevant EU regulations, including the REACH Regulation, the Toy Safety Directive and the RoHS Directive. The goal is to ensure a high and uniform level of safety within the EU. For instance, a lead must be strong enough to withstand tension; a toy must not break easily; and bowls must not release substances that are harmful to health.
Technical Dossier: The Core of Conformity
In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/988, every manufacturer must create, update, and retain a technical dossier for at least ten years. This includes, among other things:
• Description of the product and the materials used
• EU Declaration of Conformity
• Analysis of chemical, mechanical, and electrical risks, as well as risks arising from foreseeable misuse
• Applicable procedures and test methods
• Test reports and, where applicable, certifications
• Instructions for safe use and warnings
• Traceability and product identification (e.g., batch or serial number, brand information, manufacturer contact details)
Importers and distributors must have access to relevant parts of the technical documentation to ensure that only compliant products are placed on the market.
Online sales and marketplaces
Products sold via e-commerce must meet the same safety and information requirements as products sold in physical stores. Online sellers must register with Safety Gate, immediately remove unsafe products and provide clear information on the manufacturer and product identification and warning notices. Imported products may not be placed on the European market without an economic operator established in the EU.
Shared responsibility along the supply chain
The Regulation defines clear responsibilities for all economic operators, i.e., manufacturers, importers, distributors, and logistics service providers. All parties involved must ensure that only safe products are placed on the market. In the event of serious risks, they must halt distribution and notify the authorities.
Consumer rights and market surveillance
In the case of dangerous products, rapid warning and recall processes are triggered via the EU “Safety Gate” portal. Consumers must be informed immediately and are entitled to effective remedies at no additional cost. Competent authorities in the EU member states have expanded coordination and control tools at the European level.
Recommendations for manufacturers, importers, and distributors
TÜV SÜD recommends continuously updating internal conformity processes and technical documentation, conducting appropriate tests in accordance with relevant standards, carefully designing labelling and instructions for use, and systematically implementing traceability and market surveillance. Equally important are training programs for employees and raising awareness among partners and distribution channels. Companies should also engage external technical expertise at an early stage to efficiently meet regulatory requirements.
In summary, Regulation (EU) 2023/988 establishes a legal obligation and, at the same time, provides an opportunity to strengthen the quality and safety of pet accessories in Europe sustainably and offer consumers a high level of confidence in the safety of products.
Further information:
