Jewellery, watches and fashion accessories

• Regulation (EU) 2023/988 — GPSR
• Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 — REACH, Annex XVII

Who has to appoint one

Sellers and brands outside the Union placing jewellery and accessories on the EU market, including print-on-demand and dropshipping models.

Thresholds and exemptions

None.

What must appear on the label

Manufacturer and responsible person details with an EU address, product identifier and batch number, plus material information where a claim is made.

Marketplace fields

Jewellery is one of the categories most often suppressed for a missing responsible person, and one of the most tested for nickel release.

Documentation you must hold

Technical documentation, risk analysis, and supplier declarations or test reports for restricted substances.

Standards and testing

EN 1811 for nickel release in items in prolonged skin contact, and limits for lead and cadmium under REACH Annex XVII.

Language requirements

Warnings and care information in the language of each member state of sale.

When it applies

Before the product is made available.

How long records are kept

10 years.

What happens if you do not comply

Withdrawal, Safety Gate alerts and fines. Nickel and cadmium are among the most frequent notification grounds for accessories.

Who enforces it

National market surveillance authorities and customs.

Where the boundary lies

Children's jewellery is scrutinised more heavily for small parts and heavy metals, and can be treated as a toy if it is presented as play jewellery.

Questions we are asked

Our supplier says it is nickel free — is that enough?

No. You need a test report or a supplier declaration you can produce. A verbal assurance is not documentation.