Warnings and safety information under GPSR: language and placement

Where the obligation comes from

Two articles work together:

• Article 9(7) requires manufacturers to ensure that the product is accompanied by clear instructions and safety information, in a language easily understood by consumers, as determined by the Member State where the product is made available. Article 9(7) does not require instructions where the product can be used safely and as intended without them.
• Article 19(d) requires every online or distance offer to show any warning or safety information that has to be affixed to the product or packaging or included in an accompanying document.

So the product page mirrors what the physical product carries. The listing does not need the full manual, but it does need the warnings and safety statements a consumer should know before buying.

What counts as a warning or safety information

Typical examples:

• age warnings such as “Not suitable for children under 3 years. Contains small parts.”;
• “Adult supervision required”, “Use only in well-ventilated areas”, “Do not use near water”;
• maximum load or weight limits, temperature limits, battery handling warnings;
• allergen or skin contact warnings for products that are not cosmetics but touch the skin;
• warning symbols required by sector rules, together with their explanation.

Marketing statements are not safety information, and neither are general care tips unless they prevent a risk.

Which language

The GPSR leaves the language choice to each Member State. In most countries this means the official language or languages. A Shopify store selling to Germany, France and the Netherlands therefore needs the warnings in German, French and Dutch on the versions of the page shown to those customers.

With Shopify Markets and translated storefronts, the cleanest approach is to store the warning text as a translatable field (for example a metafield) and show it in a fixed block. Avoid putting warnings inside images, because they cannot be translated or read by screen readers.

Sector rules add more

The GPSR is the safety net. If a product is covered by specific EU rules, those rules usually prescribe exact warnings:

• Toys: the Toy Safety Directive (being replaced by a new Toy Safety Regulation) requires specific warnings, and says warnings that determine the decision to buy must be visible before purchase, including online.
• Cosmetics: the Cosmetics Regulation sets labelling, and Article 19 of the GPSR also applies to online cosmetics offers for the safety information it covers.
• Electrical equipment, batteries, chemicals: CE marking rules, battery rules and the CLP Regulation each set their own labels and warnings.

Show the sector-specific warnings on the listing too. The GPSR's Article 19 asks for “any” warning that has to be on the product or packaging, whatever rule requires it.

Products with no warnings

Some products genuinely need none: a plain cotton T-shirt, a ceramic mug. You do not have to invent a warning. But your risk analysis should document why none is needed. Some stores show a neutral line such as “No specific safety warnings” so that it is clear the field has been checked rather than forgotten.

Practical checklist

1. Collect the warnings printed on each product, its packaging and leaflet.
2. Group products that share warnings, so you maintain each text once.
3. Translate them for every market and have the translations reviewed.
4. Show them on the product page in a block that is visible without extra clicks.
5. Re-check when a supplier changes packaging or a product gets a new version.