Case study: how BrandArt maintains seamless EU market access with 24hour-AR

“Good service, helpful team, quick responses, and always a solution-oriented approach. All good!”

— Gill Giles, Product Safety & Ethical Sourcing, BrandArt Ltd.

The company

BrandArt is a trusted supplier of bespoke souvenirs and gifts to major visitor attractions across the UK and Europe. From ethically sourced manufacturing to tailored overprinting in-house, they deliver high-quality products to iconic cultural venues. With a dual focus on safety and sustainability, BrandArt ensures that every item meets strict compliance standards before reaching end customers.

Company: BrandArt Ltd.
Industry: Souvenirs & Gifting for Visitor Attractions
Region: UK & EU
Key Contacts: Gill Giles (Product Safety & Ethical Sourcing)

“The product safety side was under control. But post-Brexit, it became clear we needed an AR because we don’t have an office in Europe.”

— Gill Giles, Product Safety & Ethical Sourcing, BrandArt Ltd.

The challenge

With Brexit came a cascade of regulatory changes. While BrandArt had long prioritised product safety through rigorous internal testing programs, new EU market access rules created a logistical hurdle: They needed an EU-based authorised representative to continue supplying customers across Europe.

“The product safety side was under control. But post-Brexit, it became clear we needed an AR because we don’t have an office in Europe.” – Gill

On top of this, the growing complexity of global compliance – ranging from toy safety to environmental packaging laws – meant BrandArt had to stay agile and ahead of evolving requirements.

Why BrandArt chose 24hour-AR

BrandArt was referred to 24hour-AR by their UK safety consultants (IQS), who recommended a reliable AR to help the company maintain continuity in the EU. Gill and her team appreciated the smooth onboarding process and strategic advice.

Flexible, fast review turnaround to meet production deadlines

Trusted referral through existing consultants

Clear understanding of GPSD and Toy Safety Directive compliance

The Experience

Gill describes the working relationship as “consistently smooth.” Whether submitting technical files or troubleshooting missing documentation, 24hour-AR has been responsive and proactive.

“Communication is great. You come back quickly, even if something is missing, and carry on with the review. That helps us stay on track.”

A standout improvement? The flexibility and foresight 24hour-AR showed in recommending a prepaid review approach. While it simplified BrandArt’s internal accounting, it also ensured that product reviews could begin without administrative delays, helping their team respond faster to customer needs.

“You suggested a smarter way to handle reviews upfront. It meant no bottlenecks from our side and quicker approvals overall.”

Results

Zero disruption in EU supply continuity
Rapid review cycles for new product onboarding
Confidence in compliance during evolving EU regulation
Stronger visibility into future legislative changes via webinars and templates
Peace of mind from knowing recalls and audits are covered

ROI and recommendation

While the AR role is a legal necessity, Gill sees clear strategic value in working with 24hour-AR. Their proactive communication, risk assessment tools, and educational content (like webinars and templates) help BrandArt prepare for the future of compliance – without unnecessary stress.

“We’ve seen other companies struggle with the GPSR roll-out. We were lucky to already have 24hour-AR in place. It saved us time and uncertainty.”

Looking to stay ahead of EU compliance just like BrandArt?