New GPSR rules effect on preorder products

[Renee_14]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping someone could help me with a question regarding the new GPSR guidelines for the EU that come into effect on December 13th, 2024. I'm based in Australia and own a book box that is preorder based. I have some customers in the EU who have preordered their boxes from me within the last couple of months (prior to Dec 13th) and the items won't be shipped out to my EU customers until early 2025. Will this be an issue? Also, do i need to prove that their order were placed prior to Dec 13th when the gpsr rules came into effect? If so, how do i prove this?

Any answers are much appreciated as it's been difficult finding any answers on the subject. Thanks!

[Jo_EarlyBird · Accepted solution]

Hi @Renee_14, Josiah here. 👋🏻

We run an Aussie-founded pre-order app Early Bird and have been getting inquiries around this recently too.

TLDR, based on what we know so far:

From Dec 13th onwards, you'll need to provide detailed product safety info and contact details when selling to customers in Europe. For pre-orders, this will include setting super clear expectations for customers on the product and the whole pre-order process.

The confusing part for many merchants is there's not a lot of specificity on how much more details they need to provide. (Especially around product safety.)

-----

I know you're selling a book box, not electronics, but to comply with GSPR you need to clearly explain:

• Proof of product safety standards (More on this below)
• How to use the product safely
• Any potential risks
• Who can (or can't) use the product
• Any special instructions for use

And then for pre-orders, if you haven't included this info yet, you must list:

• Full details about the product (even if it's not produced yet)
• Expected delivery date
• What happens if the product is delayed

(Our app helps you prominently display the ETA throughout the purchase journey, and helps you one-click bulk send pre-order delayed emails.)

As for the contact info, you need to have:

• A way for customers in Europe to contact you
• Someone who can answer about the product safety questions

-----

Elaborating on the Proof of product safety standards - in your case it should be relatively straightforward.

See if your manufacturer can provide some docs on safety compliance, e.g.:

• Books are printed on non-toxic paper
• Approved printing inks
• No small parts in the books that could be hazardous to children 

(Surely publishers would already meet these standards by default?!)

Maybe if you want to be 110% certain, include a QR code linking to a simple statement or safety compliance certificate that the book meets EU safety standards for printed materials. For your orders that were placed before Dec 13th as well. (This is my suggestion, not legal advice.)

If you have a website dedicated for EU, then you should add the product safety info to each product listing.

I'm not sure what's the best approach yet if you only have one website selling worldwide.

Maybe add the safety info as an accordion (drop down) on your product page to minimise the visual impact?

-----

Hope this reassures and helps you, even if it's not super clear yet! Might be worth checking out what Amazon's EU sellers are doing - apparently the platform has been implementing compliance checkboxes and safety information sections in their product listings.

Cheers,
Jo

[Renee_14]

Hi Jo,

Thanks so much for your detailed response, i really appreciate it! It's so difficult to find specific answers on these new rules.

I have stopped selling my products to the EU as of December 13th. But for the 15 or so book box preorders that i currently have from EU customers (which were purchased before Dec 13th), would i still have to include the product safety information you shared:

• Proof of product safety standards (More on this below)
• How to use the product safely
• Any potential risks
• Who can (or can't) use the product
• Any special instructions for use
  
  And if so, where exactly do i include this information? On the shipping label?
  
  I will definitely look into your app, it sounds great!
  
  Thanks so much,
  Renee

[Jo_EarlyBird]

Glad we're able to help @Renee_14, and yeah, it's pretty frustrating on the limited info there is out there.

I'd recommend you do so so the preorders purchased before Dec 13th, as you're shipping AFTER the GPSR policy has come into effect.

• The shipping label is too small to include the detailed info, I wouldn't recommend there.
• I'd print all the detailed info out on an A4 paper like an info card. Include it as a packaging insert (not within the book box itself).
• Or use a document enclosed pouch - you know the type where they're designed to attach to the outside of a box for shipping? (Taped to the outside of the package, preferably near the shipping label if there is room.)
• This way you're displaying the info to both the EU Customs AND your EU customers.
• Include General safety info, Manufacturer info, Importer info, the Responsible point of contact in EU.

At the end of the day, the approach we recommend to our merchant is "overprepare the info" (annoying I know... but better be safe than get penalised)!

[Renee_14]

Hi Jo,

Yep this all makes sense, i will definitely include all of the necessary details from here on out. Thank you so much for your help, i really appreciate it!

[Jo_EarlyBird]

We found an official Q&A PDF put together by the European Commission today. It's not comprehensive but has additional questions we haven't come across until now. Thought I'd link you to it!

And this is the link to the full regulation for your reference.

[byteriver]

Here you can find a PDF Step-by-step Guide: How to implement Content alongside the new GPSR with Metafields in Shopify free of charge. The PDF is free.