Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 on market surveillance and compliance of products took effect on July 16, 2021. From this date, UK manufacturers will need to appoint an EU based “authorized representative” if they don’t sell via an importer.
Due to the accelerated growth of online shopping, the need for extra efforts to keep unsafe products off the EU market has risen. As a result, (EU) 2019/1020 aims to address the regulations on market surveillance and product compliance.
What is Regulation (EU) 2019/1020
The regulation was implemented in order to guarantee the free movement of products within the Union and to ensure that products are compliant with Union harmonization legislation. This regulation will be applicable to both the e-commerce and physical marketplaces. Businesses established outside of the European Union that wish to sell products in the EU either directly, online, or through a fulfillment service provider, will need an EU economic operator to do so.
The regulation applies to (but not limited to) the following:
- Medical devices
- Radio equipment
- Toys
- Machinery
- Pressure equipment
- Electrical and electronic equipment
Key Points:
- Defines rules and procedures for economic operators and establishes a system for their cooperation with supervisory authorities.
- An economic operator must be established in the EU in order to:
- Cooperate with market surveillance authorities,
- Ensure the availability of the conformity documentation
- Inform authorities when they have reasons to believe that a product presents a risk
- The Regulation gives market surveillance authorities additional powers.
If you would like further information on EU Market Surveillance and Product Compliance, please contact iCertifi.