Currently I’m trying (and, if I’m totally honest, mostly failing) to make sense of the new EU regulations for General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) that take effect from 13th December.
The new regulations are designed to ensure enhanced safety of goods supplied by businesses, and naturally that is a Good Thing because we all want everything to be safe. (Though I can’t help veering off on a little tangent here to point out that, existentially and philosophically, it’s impossible to say anything is safe because it very much depends on what you do with it…)
The regulations require various compliance statements and appropriate labelling for all products, which in itself isn’t an enormous problem. The main issue seems to be that any business supplying physical goods to the EU or Northern Ireland must have a named representative resident in one of those areas, and that representative must be responsible for ensuring compliance with EU regulations. There is some lack of clarity on whether the rules only apply to products listed for sale after 13th December, in which case my existing courses and digital downloads are probably OK – but what that means in terms of any new material or products I might create in the future is unclear right now.
The pressing fact right now is that, as a one-woman cottage industry, I can’t afford to employ an authorised representative in Europe, nor can I afford the £20,000 fine for non-compliance.
There also seems at present to be some uncertainty about what is and isn’t covered by these new rules, and the regulations themselves are in dense legalese that is largely unintelligible to the lay person. The regulations definitely apply to most tangible products (in my case that’s thread, fabric, and original art), and possibly to some digital products (in my case that’s PDF pattern downloads and online classes), although it turns out these may be classed as services rather than products and therefore may not be affected. Until there is concrete clarification and I can be sure that I totally understand what is and isn’t permissible, I think I have to assume that everything is covered and therefore (for now) no items, tangible or digital, can be available to customers in the EU or Northern Ireland after 13th December.
I had already decided to close the shop for Christmas on 6th December in any case, which is well before the deadline of 13th, so we’re all fine there. I’m going to assume (until someone corrects me) that digital products – or rather services – that were already available before 13th December are unaffected. My Black Friday discount of 25% off all courses (not PDFs) ends tomorrow (remember to enter the coupon code BF2024 at the checkout). This is my one and only ever sale – I don’t intend to do this again – so take advantage while you can.
If you’re anywhere other than the EU or Northern Ireland, then everything will carry on as before (as far as I know…)
In light of possible restrictions, I’ve decided to launch my 2025 daily stitching template early, so that it’s listed well before the cut-off date. You can now find it here and here.
More on templates later in the week. I am truly sorry for the unhappy news in this post, and I would like to express heartfelt thanks and gratitude to my lovely customers and friends in Europe and Northern Ireland. I have been so grateful for your kind support.
Discover more from Karen Turner Stitching Life
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
We need more common sense and less ridiculous regulations!
heartily agree!
It’s hard to find anyone who has benefitted from Brexit! Just so sad. x
yes, exactly that. I wish we could rejoin but I bet they wouldn’t let us back in
As far as I was concerned, Brexit was a swear word even before this sort of thing came up!
same! In fact I muted the word on social media for that very reason 😆
I don’t understand everything, but I wish you from the bottom of my heart that it will still be possible for you to offer your products to people like me who live in the EU. it’s terrible that such big obstacles are put in your way. best regards from germany, anja
thanks so much Anja, your support means such a lot to me. I wish the UK were still in the EU but I have to abide by the law. I hope the guidelines will become clearer very soon 🤞🏻
So sad that these regulations are having such an effect on so many of you in the stitching community. As someone else said, Brexit hasn’t benefitted many as far as I can see. I hope there’s a way round it for you and others I follow and/or support
thanks so much, Karen. Brexit was always going to be trouble, and I wish the people who voted for it had been better informed. I do hope there is a sensible solution that enables us to continue supplying our lovely European neighbours.
I’m sorry for your frustration Karen. Good luck with everything and try to enjoy your much needed break.
thanks so much MaryAnne. I really hope this isn’t going to be as bad as it seems right now. But yes, absolutely looking forward to a break 🙂
I object to being called misinformed and misguided. I value sovereignty and independence more than being part of an undemocratic group of non convergent nations all pursuing their own interests with no accountability particularly in financial matters. No audited accounts for years, all highly paid bureaucrats adding nothing to our quality of life. We will see the benefits in due course but in the meantime might I suggest it is unwise and inappropriate to start discussing Brexit in a group dedicated to the benefits of a stitching life.
Thank you for your comment, Sue. I have amended my post accordingly and apologise for any offence caused.
I am sorry that you are having to make sense of this muddle… but I am so very happy that you released the 2025 pattern! I will be trying a “whole cloth” year and I am so very excited! Thank you so much for your creativity and inspiration!
Thanks so much, Kat. It really is a minefield, and would never have been an issue had we not left the EU. However, I’m very glad to be spreading happiness through the new template though – thanks so much for your kind support.
I’m so glad that I discovered your blog, your templates and courses by chance recently and just in time before you have to close your shop becaue of stupid bureaucracy. And I sure hope that there will be a chance to reopen it soon! Thank you so much, I already have learned a lot by watching you and want to learn more from you
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your kind words. I hope there is a simple way through the red tape; I can’t believe they would really make it this hard for small businesses. Hope to have normal services resumed very soon 🤞🏻
Hi Karen,
Although I live in Canada, bureaucracy and legalities can be very confusing for a small business owner. I am sorry these new rules will be impacting your business. Perhaps there is a free legal service you could access to help with understanding the new rules. Here in Canada, we have several free legal clinics that are accessible to people. Or the lawyer that helped with the sale and purchase of your home may be able to offer some advice for a reduced fee. There is probably a government number specifically for residents to call with questions about the GPSR also. If the rules surrounding this new regulation are that confusing, there must be many other people with questions also. I hope these suggestions may help you Karen and I hope the issue is resolved so you can continue supplying your customers in the EU and Northern Ireland.
Thanks so much Jo-Anne, I did email the relevant uk government department and I’ve also contacted the Big Cartel and Teachable support teams to ask what their policy is for sellers and the EU market. Just awaiting responses for now, and will keep looking for more information in the meantime. Thanks so much for being so kind with your suggestions, I will certainly see if I can find some free legal advice. I would guess the same regulations will affect all US and Canadian sellers with EU customers as well. At this rate nobody will be able to trade with anyone in Europe, which strikes me as utterly ridiculous. Hopefully there will be some good news eventually 🤞🏻
Thanks for the response Karen. I hope the appropriate departments respond soon so you can make the necessary adjustments to your business before the rules are implemented on December 13th. Crossing my fingers for you. Over here in North America, we are awaiting the new American regime in January 2025. President-elect Trump has vowed to apply 25% tariffs on all goods coming into the U.S. even though we have a trade agreement between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. If this is implemented, it will be devastating to our Canadian economy. And such is the world!
Indeed! I dread what Trump might take it upon himself to do, and I don’t even live there. I’m with John Lennon here, imagining there’s no countries or religion. It really is one small world and we all live in it together. Hoping for peaceful conclusions all round.