German Product Safety Act (ProdSG): Compliance for Online Sellers
Updated 2026-08-03
The German Product Safety Act (ProdSG) implements EU product safety requirements in Germany and imposes additional obligations on manufacturers, importers, and distributors. Products placed on the German market must be safe, bear CE marking where applicable, and include German-language instructions. Non-EU sellers must have an authorized representative in the EU who can be contacted by market surveillance authorities.
Primary sources
This page is grounded in the primary materials below. Rules change, so open the source and confirm the current version before acting.
FAQ
What is the GS mark and do I need it?+
The GS mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit — Tested Safety) is a voluntary German safety certification mark indicating a product has been independently tested for safety. While not legally required, the GS mark provides a competitive advantage in Germany and demonstrates compliance with ProdSG. It's particularly valuable for electronics, furniture, toys, and children's products.
What products must comply with ProdSG?+
ProdSG applies to all consumer products and certain professional products placed on the German market, whether new, used, or repaired. It covers electrical equipment, toys, machinery, PPE, and general consumer goods. Products already covered by specific EU harmonization legislation (e.g., medical devices, food) follow their own rules.
Do I need a German-language manual?+
Yes, products sold in Germany must include safety instructions and user manuals in German. This is a ProdSG requirement. Machine translation may not be sufficient — instructions must be clear, accurate, and professionally translated. Failure to provide German-language instructions can result in product recalls or sales bans.
What are the penalties for ProdSG non-compliance?+
Penalties include fines up to €10,000 for minor violations, up to €100,000 for serious violations, and criminal prosecution for intentional violations that endanger health. Market surveillance authorities (BAM, BfR) can order product recalls, market withdrawal, and destruction of unsafe products.
How does ProdSG interact with EU GPSR?+
ProdSG implements EU product safety requirements in Germany. The EU GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) replaced the GPSD (Directive) in December 2024 and now applies directly as a regulation. Germany updated ProdSG to align with GPSR. Sellers must comply with both GPSR (EU-level) and ProdSG (German-specific requirements like GS mark voluntary scheme).
Does Amazon enforce ProdSG compliance?+
Yes, Amazon enforces product safety compliance in Germany and may request ProdSG compliance documentation. Products found to be unsafe or non-compliant may be delisted. Amazon has its own product safety policies that align with German and EU requirements. Sellers should be prepared to provide CE declarations, test reports, and compliance documentation upon request.
Continue checking
EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR): Compliance Guide for Sellers
Complete guide to the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) effective December 2024. Learn about new requirements for product safety, traceability, and authorized representatives.
German VAT Registration for Foreign Sellers: Complete Guide
Step-by-step guide to German VAT registration for foreign e-commerce sellers. Learn about requirements, tax representative obligations, filing frequency, and the ELSTER system.