This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Document 02001L0095-20100101
Product safety: general rules
Directive 2001/95/EC on general product safety
The directive, also known as the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), requires firms to ensure that items on sale are safe and to take corrective action when that is found not to be the case.
It introduces an EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products*. This enables national authorities to share information promptly on any measures taken to withdraw such products from sale.
It has applied since 15 January 2002 and had to become law in the EU countries by 15 January 2004.
For more information, see:
Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 3 December 2001 on general product safety (OJ L 11, 15.1.2002, pp. 4-17)
Successive amendments to Directive 2001/95/EC have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/417 of 8 November 2018 laying down guidelines for the management of the European Union Rapid Information System ‘RAPEX’ established under Article 12 of Directive 2001/95/EC on general product safety and its notification system (OJ L 73, 15.3.2019, pp. 121-187)
Commission Decision 2010/15/EU of 16 December 2009 laying down guidelines for the management of the Community Rapid Information System RAPEX established under Article 12 and of the notification procedure established under Article 11 of Directive 2001/95/EC (the General Product Safety Directive) (OJ L 22, 26.1.2010, pp. 1-64)
Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of the Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on general product safety (OJ C 38,17.2.2009, pp. 11-14)
Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 December 2001 on general product safety (COM(2008) 905 final of 14 January 2009)
last update 14.09.2015