Our new guidance explains the responsibilities musicians have towards complying with the new regulations on selling merch. Image credit: Shutterstock.
The General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) came into force in the EU on 13 December 2024.
The introduction of these regulations seems to have caught everyone by surprise and there has been a lot of concerns raised and speculation as to how they affect musicians selling merchandise to the public in the EU/NI, at both in-person at gigs and via online sales.
Advice on documentation, labelling and packaging
We have published new guidance based on information gleaned from a presentation by the UK Global Trade Department hosted by the Department of Business and Trade through their Export Academy portal.
Our guidance explains the responsibilities musicians have towards complying with the new regulations.
This includes advice on technical documentation, traceability, labelling and packaging, as well as clarifying that online marketplaces are in scope of the regulations.
Read our new guidance
We are hoping for further guidelines in the coming months
The Regulation and the guidance surrounding it is currently not entirely thorough; however, we are hoping for further guidelines to be available later in the year.
It is worth bearing in mind that in the UK there already exists high standards in product safety. The UK is not a country that places ‘dangerous’ goods on the market, but unfortunately we are caught up in these regulations.
More information and clarity is expected in the coming months and we will hope to get these to you.
Join the next Arts Infopoint session to learn more
Arts Infopoint UK is holding an online coffee morning to help individuals and organisations understand how the new regulations will affect them.
The session will be recorded, and resources will be shared with attendees after the event.
- Date: Tuesday 4 February
- Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
- Location: Online
Find out more and register for a place below.
UK Export Academy: Online information sessions
The UK Export Academy (part of the Government’s Department for Business and Trade) has been running online, drop-in information sessions on GPSR, where you will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
The next session is on 17 January from 10:00am - 11:00am, and 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.
Sessions are free and you can attend using the button below, which will allow you to join via Microsoft Teams.
Join a session
Please contact david.webster@themu.org if you have any accessibility requirements to pass on to the organisers.