25/04/2023 (Agence Europe) – The EU regulation on general product safety—which intends to ensure a high level of protection for consumers whether they buy in-store or through online markets and regardless of where the products are from—has been adopted (see EUROPE 13153/12). On Tuesday, 25 April, the Council of the EU proceeded to adopt the text that would repeal an obsolete directive from 2001. Under the new rules, a product can only be sold on the single market if there is an economic operator established in the EU who is responsible for its safety. The designation of a single point of contact for national [market] surveillance authorities and consumers will be mandatory, and consumers’ access to information will be improved. The regulation will enter into force 20 days after it is published in the Official Journal of the EU. Member States will have 18 months to implement the new rules. (AN)