GPSR EU Responsible Person: the key issue for manufacturers outside the EU
A common GPSR attention point occurs when a webshop offers products from a manufacturer that is not established in the European Union. Article 19 then refers to the responsible person in the EU.
Why this matters
For online offers, Article 19 says that where the manufacturer is not established in the Union, the name, postal and electronic address of the responsible person referred to in Article 16 GPSR or Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 should be indicated.
What Merqivio checks
An automated scanner cannot always determine the manufacturer’s legal establishment reliably. Merqivio therefore treats a missing Responsible Person signal as conditional: verify manufacturer location first, then determine whether the information actually applies.
- ✓ Verify legal manufacturer location
- ✓ If outside EU: verify the responsible person
- ✓ Use genuine name and contact details
- ✓ Display information in the online product offer
- ✓ Document why the point applies or does not apply
💰 The cost of doing nothing
With imported or dropshipped catalogues, one supplier can affect dozens of products. Missing responsible-person information can therefore repeat across a large part of the catalogue.
From free check to remediation plan
Start free with a sample of up to 10 product pages. After payment, the €9.95 report starts a full background scan of all publicly discoverable product pages (max. 5,000) and is emailed automatically when ready. The €39.95 Complete GPSR Fix Plan adds concrete solutions per issue group. If you buy the report first, the later upgrade costs €30.
Frequently asked questions
Is an importer automatically the Responsible Person?
Not always. The relevant economic operator depends on the applicable situation and Article 16, so use verified supply-chain information.
Do I need a Responsible Person when the manufacturer is in the EU?
Article 19(b) refers specifically to the case where the manufacturer is not established in the Union.
Can Merqivio determine this with certainty?
No. It can detect visible signals but cannot reliably determine every legal relationship in the supply chain.
Official source: Regulation (EU) 2023/988, Article 19 (EUR-Lex).
Merqivio checks publicly visible signals and cannot independently verify every product-specific rule or factual manufacturer detail. The scan is indicative and is not legal advice.
GPSR EU Responsible Person: the key issue for manufacturers outside the EU
A common GPSR attention point occurs when a webshop offers products from a manufacturer that is not established in the European Union. Article 19 then refers to the responsible person in the EU.
Start free GPSR Check →