Consumer

European Standards that contribute to protecting consumers by setting safety requirements for everyday use products are developed across a wide range of sectors. Consumer products are defined as items intended for consumers or likely to be used by consumers, even if not intended for them. Products provided in the framework of a service to consumers are also considered to be consumer products.

Through provision of tools for compliance with EU legislation, CEN and CENELEC standards allow manufacturers to meet market entry requirements in Europe and ensure safe products for consumers. To reach this goal, industry cooperates closely with authorities, laboratories and consumer representatives in European standards development process.

In December 2024, the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR EU 2023/988) will enter (or entered – depending on the udapte of the CEN-CENELEC website) into force and will repeal (repealed) the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD 2001/95/EC). This regulation modernizes the general framework and takes stock of a number of trends affecting consumer markets and the related challenges (e.g., Product safety obligations of online marketplaces).

Currently there are 20 active CEN and CENELEC Standardization Requests in support of this legislation.