Once we know more, we will be producing some guidelines for members. Photo: Shutterstock.
On 3 December, the UK Government published guidance for businesses on General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) in Northern Ireland (NI) and the European Union (EU). These regulations will then come into force on 13 December 2024.
The regulations will introduce certain requirements with respect to product labelling, traceability and documentation, as well as clarifying that online marketplaces are in scope of the regulations.
The implementation of these regulations, and how they will affect bands and artists when selling their merchandise in NI and the EU, at gigs or online, is not entirely clear.
The MU has since been in contact with the UK Government, seeking clarity and answers.
We will be producing guidelines for members in due course
Given current information, it would seem that these regulations place a further financial and administrative burden on musicians, making working in the EU even more difficult and cost prohibitive.
At this stage however it remains unclear and once we know more, we will be producing some guidelines for members. One thing we can say is that any merchandise you may already have in circulation in NI or the EU will not be affected, but anything past 13 December 2024 may be.
Regarding items already manufactured, a Belgium contact for the MU advises:
“All items that were already on sale before 13 December don't fall within the scope of the GPSR, and can also be sold after this date without any need to adjust to the new set of rules.
“This includes pre-orders that have already been accepted for an album that hasn't been released yet. It also includes represses or reissues of albums that have been released and put up for sale a long time ago. The new rules only apply to new items that are put up for sale after 13 December.
“Also, you're not a manufacturer of items. You may consider yourself very DIY because you're doing a lot yourself, but you probably don't own a pressing plant, a printing business or a textile factory. You don't actually produce physical items, you're a distributor of said items. This means the administrative burden largely falls on those who sell you the items (T-shirts, albums etc) that you intend to take with you on the next tour”.
For more information or support, please contact your regional office.
Online information sessions
Throughout December 2024 and January 2025, the UK Export Academy (part of the Government’s Department for Business and Trade) will be running online, drop-in information sessions on GPSR, where you will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
The sessions will help you to understand:
- Your role in the supply of goods from this regulation’s perspective
- Your full obligations based on the role you play
- Market surveillance and how to ensure compliance so your goods continue to move freely into the EU post 13 December 2024.
Dates:
- 13 December, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- 18 December, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
- 27 December, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
- 10 January, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
- 17 January, 10:00 - 11:00 am.
Sessions are free and you can attend any of the dates listed using the button below, which will allow you to join via Microsoft Teams.
Please contact david.webster@themu.org if you have any accessibility requirements to pass on to the organisers.
Join a session