Find an EU Authorised Representative or Responsible Person

Any manufacturer or importer based outside the EU that sells products to EU consumers must designate an EU Responsible Person (also called EU Authorised Representative). This applies to ecommerce stores, Amazon sellers, dropshippers, and direct-to-consumer brands from outside the EU.

The EU Responsible Person acts as your point of contact for EU market surveillance authorities. They receive safety-related communications, hold your product documentation, and can be reached by regulators if a product recall or safety investigation is initiated.

These terms overlap but aren't identical. "Responsible Person" is the GPSR term (General Product Safety Regulation, consumer products broadly). "EU Authorised Representative" is the older, broader term used under CE-marking directives, Machinery, EMC, Radio Equipment, Toy Safety, PPE, and others, and is also the role required for medical devices (MDR) and other CE-regulated goods. Many manufacturers need both: a Responsible Person for GPSR and an Authorised Representative for each CE directive their product falls under. Most providers in this directory offer both under one contract.

"EC REP" (or "EC Rep") is shorthand for the EU Authorised Representative appointment. There is no single EU-wide "certificate" issued by a government body — instead, the appointment is documented in a mandate or authorisation letter signed by the manufacturer and the representative, and the representative's name and address must then appear on the product, its packaging, or accompanying documentation as required by the applicable directive (CE marking, MDR, GPSR, etc.). Service providers issue their own confirmation documents, sometimes called an "EC Rep certificate," once the mandate is in place.

Prices typically range from €200 to €1,000+ per year depending on the provider, number of product categories, and level of support included. Larger certification bodies (TÜV NORD, SGS, Intertek) usually quote based on your specific needs. A single provider contract can often cover both the GPSR Responsible Person role and CE-marking Authorised Representative duties.