Regulation (EU) 2019/1020: enhancing product safety in the EU
Regulation (EU) 2019/1020, in force since July 16, 2021, is very significant for all authorised representatives. It’s designed to enhance the safety and compliance of products sold within the European Union (EU). This regulation mandates that all businesses outside the EU, selling certain products directly or indirectly (including through e-commerce platforms), must have an economic operator within the EU. This economic operator acts as a liaison between the non-EU manufacturer and EU market surveillance authorities (MSA), ensuring product compliance and consumer safety.
Key requirements of the regulation
1. Economic operator requirement:
2. Economic operator requirement
This product mentions just the name of the importer on the product itself. As the address is missing, the product is not compliant, unless the address is mentioned on the packaging.
Objectives of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020
Implementation and impact
The regulation has significantly impacted how businesses operate:
Does Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 apply to the UK?
Post-Brexit, the UK has not implemented Regulation (EU) 2019/1020. Instead, the UK follows a market surveillance framework based on Decision EC 765/2008 (the New Legislative Framework). This framework requires importers to be identified on the product or packaging. Additionally, an authorised representative may be appointed instead of the importer. While the UK’s requirements for a UK-based economic operator have been in place for some time, Brexit has highlighted and reinforced these requirements.
Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 is a critical measure for ensuring the safety and compliance of products sold within the EU. By requiring businesses outside the EU to have an economic operator within the EU, the regulation strengthens market surveillance and consumer protection. This regulation plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity and safety of the EU internal market, introducing several measures to ensure there is always an EU based economic operator responsible to ensure that products placed on the EU market are safe and compliant.