Do individuals fall under the scope of the GPSR?

I don’t have a registered business. Do I still fall under the scope of the GPSR?

Yes. Whether or not you have a registered business doesn’t matter. In fact, you can have a large business but be exempt from the GPSR, but that’s too complicated for this video.

The European Commission released a short document that explicitly states:

“In general, the GPSR obligations apply to businesses of all sizes. Consumers are entitled to only safe products and therefore exceptions cannot be made based on the size of a business.”

The important part is “based on the size of a business.”

The GPSR states:

“Any natural or legal person that… places a product on the market”

Combine these two, and the intent is fully clear that the GPSR applies whether or not you are a living, breathing human being or a soulless corporation.

#smallbusiness #onlineseller #etsyseller

As always, the GPSR is subject to interpretation by the courts, so nothing on this website can be taken as legal advice. Every situation is different, laws and regulations change, and the courts can strike down or have alternate readings of specific lines of laws and regulations. Even the European Commission itself refuses to accept legal responsibility for its own statements.

Interested in receiving personalized help with your business on migrating from Etsy, creating a website, dealing with international taxes (VAT, GST, etc.), or any number of things for your e-commerce business? Contact us for personalized help, starting with a 2-hour, $40 preliminary review/conversation, which includes answering all the questions we can and working with you through problems or questions you face.