Alternatives to Hiring a Responsible Person for UK Product Safety Compliance

• Responsible person required for most non-EU/UK sellers under GPSR
• Providers offer services from EUR 150/year to GBP 490/year (Oct 2026)
• Inclusions vary: designation, documentation, request desk, certificate
• Not all sellers need a responsible person (B2B-only or resellers may be exempt)
• Switching providers is allowed and can be seamless if done correctly

Updated 18 October 2026 · 7 sources checked

Providers compared

Prices as published on each provider's website on 18 October 2026, excluding VAT unless stated. Each row links to its source.

What the Law Requires: When Is a Responsible Person Needed?

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) in both the EU and the UK requires that manufacturers based outside these markets appoint a responsible person established in the EU or UK. This is set out in Article 16 of the EU GPSR, with similar requirements in the UK. The responsible person acts as the official contact for product safety authorities, holds technical documentation, and is responsible for ensuring that products placed on the market comply with safety requirements. The responsible person’s name and address must be clearly marked on the product, its packaging, or accompanying documentation.

For sellers using marketplaces like Amazon or TikTok Shop, the responsible person must be appointed before listings go live, as these platforms enforce compliance at onboarding. For own-store sellers, enforcement may occur later—at customs, following a consumer complaint, or during a wholesale audit—often after stock has already been shipped. This delay in enforcement leads to many own-store sellers being non-compliant, sometimes unknowingly.

There are exceptions: B2B-only sellers may not need a responsible person if their products never reach end consumers. Resellers of third-party brands are typically not considered manufacturers under the GPSR and may be exempt, as the brand owner is responsible. However, if you modify products, apply your own branding, or sell white-label goods, you are considered the manufacturer and must appoint a responsible person.

Failure to comply can result in customs holds, product withdrawals, or fines. The responsible person is a legal requirement for most non-EU/UK businesses selling consumer products into these markets.

How to Choose a Provider: What to Look For

Choosing a responsible person provider is about more than just price. The right provider should offer comprehensive coverage, clear documentation, and responsive support. Key considerations include:

• Coverage: Does the provider cover all EU/UK countries you sell to? Some only cover the EU, while UK coverage may be separate.
• Designation and Verification: Is the appointment verifiable? Look for providers offering certificates with QR codes or public registers to prove the relationship to authorities or marketplaces.
• Documentation Handling: Will the provider hold your technical file and declaration of conformity for the required ten years?
• Communication: How quickly does the provider forward authority and consumer requests? Is there a dedicated request desk?
• Volume and Flexibility: Are unlimited products included, or are there per-product or per-family fees?
• Reputation and Experience: Consider the provider’s track record and whether they are established in a reputable EU/UK jurisdiction.

Below is a comparison of what’s included by provider, based on available data:

Always request a detailed service description before committing, as some providers may charge extra for certificates, urgent requests, or per-product handling.

What the Price Really Includes (and Hidden Costs)

Published prices for responsible person services in October 2026 range from EUR 150 per year (Westwood Sourcing) to GBP 490 per year (Euverify), with some providers offering one-off fees (Eldris: GBP 195, EaseCert: EUR 400). However, the inclusions behind these prices are not always transparent. Some providers may limit the number of product types or families covered by the base price, while others (like REP27) include unlimited products and a verifiable certificate as standard.

Key items to check before signing up:

• Product Coverage: Does the price cover all your products, or only a set number? Are there extra fees for additional SKUs or product families?
• Documentation: Is holding and producing your technical file included, or is it an extra service?
• Request Handling: Are consumer and authority requests forwarded promptly, and is this included in the price?
• Certificate and Register: Is a verifiable certificate or public register entry provided, or is this an add-on?
• Setup and Renewal Fees: Are there hidden setup, renewal, or urgent handling fees?

For example, REP27 includes unlimited products, a verifiable certificate, label wording in multiple languages, and a request desk for forwarding inquiries, all within the published price. Other providers do not specify these details publicly, so it is essential to confirm in writing what is included. Some may charge extra for technical file review, translations, or urgent support.

Always ask for a breakdown of included services and potential extra costs before appointing a provider to avoid unexpected charges.

How Appointment Works: Step by Step

Appointing a responsible person is a structured process, but the steps must be followed carefully to ensure continuous compliance. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Assess Your Needs: Determine whether your products and sales channels require a responsible person. Use the decision matrix below to guide you.
2. Compare Providers: Review coverage, price, and included services. Request written confirmation of what is included.
3. Sign the Mandate: Complete the provider’s appointment form and sign the mandate. This is a legal document binding the provider to act as your responsible person.
4. Receive Designation: The provider issues a designation letter or certificate, often with a QR code or public register entry for verification.
5. Update Labels and Listings: Add the responsible person’s name and address to your product labels, packaging, and online listings. For marketplace sellers, update the relevant fields in Seller Centre or equivalent.
6. Send Documentation: Provide your technical file and declaration of conformity to the provider for safekeeping. This documentation must be available to authorities for ten years.
7. Go Live/Sell Through: For new stock, use updated labels. Existing stock with the previous responsible person’s details can usually be sold through, provided the appointment was valid at the time of placing on the market.
8. Switching Providers: If changing providers, sign with the new one before terminating the old appointment to avoid a compliance gap. Over-labeling is generally accepted for large stocks already printed.

Checklist for today:

1. Confirm if you need a responsible person
2. Request service details and pricing from shortlisted providers
3. Appoint and sign the mandate
4. Update all product and online information
5. Send technical documentation
6. Retain all certificates and communications
7. Monitor for regulatory changes and enforcement actions

Risks, Fines, and Enforcement

Not appointing a responsible person where required exposes your business to significant risks. Enforcement can occur at several points:

• Customs Holds: Products may be stopped at the border if responsible person details are missing or unverifiable.
• Marketplace Suppression: Platforms like Amazon and TikTok Shop require responsible person details before listings go live. Non-compliance leads to immediate removal or suppression of listings.
• Consumer Complaints: Authorities may investigate following a complaint, leading to product withdrawals or recalls if compliance cannot be demonstrated.
• Wholesale Audits: B2B buyers in Europe may request proof of compliance, including responsible person details and declaration of conformity.

Fines and penalties:

• GDPR Article 83(4)(a): For data protection, fines can reach up to EUR 10 million or 2% of global turnover. Product safety fines are set at the national level and can be substantial, especially for serious breaches or repeat offenses.
• Retroactive Enforcement: Own-store sellers may face enforcement months or years after products have been sold, with no prior warning.
• Liability: The responsible person is the official contact for authorities, but the manufacturer remains ultimately liable for product safety. Providers may limit their liability in their terms—always check the contract.

Practical tip: Always maintain up-to-date documentation and a clear, verifiable link to your responsible person to avoid costly disruptions.

Decision Matrix: Do You Need a Responsible Person?

Use this matrix to quickly determine your obligations. When in doubt, consult the regulation or a qualified provider.

What Providers Usually Do Not Say

• Per-Product or Per-Request Fees: Some providers may charge for each product type or for handling individual authority requests. Always ask for a full fee schedule.
• Notice Periods: Terminating a provider may require advance notice. Avoid gaps in coverage by overlapping appointments during transitions.
• Liability Limits: Providers may cap their liability for compliance failures—review the contract carefully.
• Verification: Not all providers offer public registers or verifiable certificates. This can be critical during audits or customs checks.
• Documentation Requirements: You remain responsible for the accuracy and completeness of your technical file, even if the provider holds it.
• Own-Store Seller Risks: Enforcement is less visible for own-store sellers, but consequences can be severe and retroactive. Many sellers are non-compliant until an incident occurs.

Always request full terms and service descriptions in writing before appointing a provider.

Realistic Scenarios: Who Needs What?

• Scenario 1: US SaaS Company
  A US-based software company selling digital-only services to EU/UK customers does not need a responsible person for product safety, as the GPSR applies only to physical consumer products. However, it may need an Article 27 GDPR representative for data protection compliance.
• Scenario 2: Chinese Amazon Seller
  A Chinese manufacturer selling toys on Amazon to EU consumers must appoint an EU responsible person before listings go live. Amazon enforces this requirement at onboarding. The responsible person’s details must be printed on the product and packaging, and technical documentation must be available for ten years.
• Scenario 3: UK Online Shop Selling Own-Brand Electronics
  A UK-based online shop selling its own-brand electronics directly to EU consumers must appoint an EU responsible person for product safety. The responsible person’s details must appear on all products, packaging, and in the online store. Technical documentation must be provided to the responsible person and made available to authorities upon request.

Each scenario highlights the importance of understanding your obligations based on product type, sales channel, and target market.