‍EU textile companies must adapt to new safety requirements under GPSR. Here's what you need to know.

Imagine receiving notice that your textiles have been blocked at EU customs. Or that products already in the marketplace must be recalled due to non-compliance. These scenarios are becoming more common since December 2024, when the EU’s General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) came into effect.

GPSR regulation impacts every element of the textile supply chain, from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to distribution and online sales.

Our essential guide to GPSR for textile companies will help you navigate these new requirements and ensure your products maintain EU compliance.

‍What is GPSR?

GPSR is a comprehensive set of safety rules governing consumer products sold or made available on the EU market. Replacing the previous General Product Safety Directive, GPSR addresses modern challenges including selling through online marketplaces, connected products and emerging risks.

You can learn more about this legislation in our GPSR FAQs blog. 

‍How does GPSR affect textile manufacturers?

For the textile industry, GPSR regulation introduces stricter requirements across the entire supply chain, from design and production to marketing and distribution. 

While textile products are already subject to specific EU laws like the Textile Labelling and Fibre Composition Regulation, GPSR adds additional layers of safety obligation, including: 

‍Comprehensive risk analysis requirements

GPSR mandates thorough risk assessments covering the entire product lifecycle. For textile manufacturers, this means analysing:

• Physical risks (sharp components, strings that could pose strangulation hazards)
• Chemical risks (restricted substances, dyes and treatments)
• Allergenic risks (potential sensitisers in fabrics)
• Flammability risks 
• Environmental risks (packaging, waste and recycling considerations)
• Cybersecurity risks (for smart or electronic textiles with digital components)

This risk assessment must be documented and maintained for potential inspection by authorities.

‍Enhanced technical documentation

Under GPSR regulation, textile manufacturers must maintain comprehensive technical documentation for at least 10 years after placing products on the market. This documentation typically includes:

• Detailed product specifications
• Material composition details
• Safety assessment results
• Test reports (chemical testing, physical testing, flammability testing)
• Manufacturing controls
• Risk analysis documentation
• Instructions for use
• For smart textiles: cybersecurity protocols and data protection measures

Product marking and traceability

GPSR strengthens product traceability requirements beyond previous regulations. For textile manufacturers, this means incorporating product identifiers that enable tracking throughout the supply chain, such as production lot numbers, style identifiers or season codes. Detailed supply chain records must be maintained for six years.

Products must include clear manufacturer identification and complete contact information either on the product itself, its packaging or accompanying documentation, creating a comprehensive system for tracing products when safety issues arise.

Contact information requirements

Textile manufacturers must provide clear contact details on product packaging or labels, including:

• Company name
• Registered trade name or trademark
• Postal address
• Electronic contact details (email/website)

For non-EU manufacturers, an EU-based responsible economic operator (like Hooley Brown) must be designated and their contact information included.

Complaint and recall management

GPSR requires textile manufacturers to implement robust systems for handling safety concerns, including:

• An internal register documenting all safety-related complaints
• Records of product recalls or other corrective actions
• Tracking capabilities for potentially affected products
• Procedures for analysing safety incidents to prevent recurrence

‍What are the key GPSR requirements for textile importers?

While manufacturers bear primary responsibility for product safety, textile importers have specific obligations under GPSR that complement the manufacturer's role.

Importers serve as a critical checkpoint before products enter the EU market. Their responsibilities include: 

• Verifying that manufacturers have fulfilled their obligations before placing textiles on the market
• Ensuring products comply with the general safety requirement
• Refusing to import any textiles they consider unsafe or non-compliant

If safety issues are identified with imported textiles, importers must take immediate action, even if the manufacturer is unresponsive. They have an obligation to communicate with market surveillance authorities when safety issues arise and provide them with samples for testing when requested. 

What GPSR rules apply to textile distributors?

EU textile distributors have distinct GPSR responsibilities that differ from manufacturers and importers.

As the final safety checkpoint before products reach consumers, they must independently verify the visible compliance of textile products. Unlike manufacturers, distributors focus on detecting obvious non-compliance rather than performing technical assessments. For example, is product labelling provided in appropriate languages for their end market? 

Distributors can also give crucial market feedback to manufacturers and importers about consumer safety concerns. They are responsible for handling front-line communication during safety issues and facilitating product recalls at retail level. 

‍How does GPSR regulation impact online textile retailers?

Under GPSR legislation, online textile retailers in the EU are required to: 

• Implement two points of contact for safety communications (one for authorities, one for consumers)
• Register with the EU Safety Gate portal
• Establish internal product safety processes
• Ensure product listings include required safety and traceability information
• Proactively check if products are listed in the Safety Gate database
• Respond promptly to notices about unsafe products
• Communicate effectively with consumers about recalls

‍EU distance selling requirements

All distance sellers (including websites, catalogues and phone sales) must provide the same pre-purchase safety information as would be available in physical stores.

This information includes manufacturer details and contact information, clear product descriptions, relevant warnings and safety information. 

How can Hooley Brown help your business with textile compliance?

Hooley Brown specialises in enabling textile and apparel companies to navigate complex EU regulatory requirements, including the GPSR regulation. Our services include:

‍EU Authorised Representative services

We can act as your EU economic operator, fulfilling all legal obligations under GPSR and serving as your point of contact with European authorities.

‍Technical documentation support

Our regulatory specialists can create and maintain the technical documentation required under GPSR regulation, including product specifications and risk assessments.

‍Product labelling and packaging guidance

Our compliance experts provide clear guidance on correctly marking your textile products with all required traceability and safety information.

Don't risk non-compliance penalties. Contact Hooley Brown today for your GPSR compliance assessment.

This guide provides general information on GPSR regulation for textile companies. For feedback specific to your business, please email hello@hooleybrown.com.

This article was published in May 2025. Regulations can change. Always verify current requirements and seek professional advice for specific situations.