What is the General Product Safety Regulation ?

 
 

The General Product Safety Regulation  (GPSR) is a new key instrument in the EU product safety legal framework, replacing from 13 December 2024 the current General Product Safety Directive  and the Food Imitating Product Directive . It modernises the EU general product safety framework and address the new challenges posed to product safety by the digitalisation of our economies.

The GPSR requires that all consumer products on the EU markets are safe and it establishes specific obligations for businesses to ensure it.

It applies to non-food products and to all sales channels. The GPSR provides a safety net for products or risks not regulated in other EU legislation. This safety net function means that EU consumers are always protected against dangerous products, be it now or in the future.

(Source: European Commission)

 

The possible risks of my products

Jewelry

Risks and potential Dangers

A. Physical Hazards

Sharp Edges or Points

  • Risk: Slight cuts or punctures, especially in the rare case the jewelry breaks.

  • Consequence: Minor to severe injuries.

  • Measures: rounded edges, ample solder, clean connection points.

  • Risk Management: My Jewelry is made with care and inspected before given to the customer, I feel over the edges to make sure they aren’t sharp enough to cause harm. though in some designs sharpness is desired and the customer is made aware of the sharpness in a design.

Choking Hazard from Small Parts

  • Risk: Small jewelry pieces or components may come loose and be swallowed.

  • Consequence: Choking hazard, particularly for children.

  • Measures: Test the strength of connections and bonds.

  • Risk Management: Small parts are always a problem, and Jewelry is in its essence rather small. I personally ensure bonds are strong between my materials and will make customers aware of possible detachments. My jewelry is not suitable for children under 4 years old. For children under 10 years old, I recommend supervision.

B. Chemical Hazards

Harmful Substances

  • Risk: Exposure to heavy metals (e.g., nickel, cadmium, lead).

  • Consequence: Allergic reactions or long-term health issues.

  • Measures: Use safe materials.

  • Risk Management: All my jewelry is made using material sourced from a trusted wholesaler, however I occasionally do make jewelry out of discontinued
    currency. some of which is made out of nickel coins. The customer is always made aware that these rings are made out of their respective materials and the possibility of an allergic reaction listed below.

Allergies

  • Risk: Skin reactions caused by allergens such as nickel.

  • Consequence: Itching, rashes, or swelling.

  • Measures: Limit using nickel in my jewelry, and limit nickel release in accordance with EU Regulation 1907/2006.

  • Risk Management:
    My jewelry contains little to no nickel. As noted above, all metals are sourced from a trusted wholesaler. I encourage customers with severe allergies to inform me of their needs. in case of rings made out of discontinued currency the customer is always made aware of the material and potential allergic risk.

Flowers or other Metal Sculptures

Sharp Edges or Points

  • Risk: Slight cuts or punctures.

  • Consequence: Minor to severe injuries.

  • Measures: Folded/bend edges in the flower, minimalizing potential harm.

  • Risk Management: My flowerheads are made out of really thin metal, while durable if handled incorrectly could be sharp. Pressure on a sharp edge is needed for it to allow to cut, which in my experience doesn’t just happen. make sure you always pick up a flower by its stem and never by its flowerhead to avoid potential cuts.

Choking Hazard from Small Parts

  • Risk: In rare cases small parts in a flower may come loose.

  • Consequence: Choking hazard, particularly for children.

  • Measures: Test the strength of connections and bonds.

  • Risk Management: My flowers are big and sturdy, however in rare cases parts could come lose, either on the bolt in the flowerhead or if bend too often the metal/solder might snap. I personally ensure bonds are strong between my materials and will make customers aware of possible detachments. My flowers are not suitable for children under 4 years old. For children under 10 years old, I recommend supervision.

B. Chemical Hazards

Harmful Substances

  • Risk: Exposure to heavy metals (e.g., nickel, cadmium, lead).

  • Consequence: Allergic reactions or long-term health issues.

  • Measures: Use safe materials.

  • Risk Management: My flowers are made from various materials which include: copper, brass, alpaca, tombak, silver and nickel. The customer will always be made aware of flowers containing nickel, however it being a decorative piece it is not made to be handled often.

Allergies

  • Risk: Skin reactions caused by allergens such as nickel.

  • Consequence: Itching, rashes, or swelling.

  • Measures: Informing my customer when a flower contains nickel

  • Risk Management: Some flowers use nickel coins, The customer will always be made aware of flowers containing nickel. however it being a decorative piece means the customer will never be exposed to the nickel for long as long as they do not handle it often. make sure you always pick up a flower by its stem and never by its flowerhead or leaves to minimize exposure to nickel. The stem is never made from nickel.