Does GPSR Require Dutch-Language Product Safety Information?
GPSRThe short answer is that if you sell to consumers in the Netherlands, you should expect to provide safety warnings and essential instructions in Dutch. The General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988, which has applied since 13 December 2024, is built around the idea that safety information must be understandable to the consumer who receives the product.
Why language matters under the GPSR
The GPSR requires that products be safe and that consumers receive the warnings and instructions they need to use a product safely. A warning that a shopper cannot read does not achieve that purpose. For customers in the Netherlands, whose language is Dutch, providing safety-relevant information in Dutch is the natural way to meet that expectation.
This applies not only to physical packaging and inserts but also to what appears online. Under Article 19, online listings must present safety warnings before purchase, and those warnings should be intelligible to the Dutch consumer reading your PrestaShop product page.
What this means in practice
- Provide safety warnings and essential usage instructions in Dutch for Dutch customers.
- Make sure the online listing, not just the packaging, carries the warnings.
- Keep the translations accurate, as a poor translation can undermine the safety message.
Exact language expectations can vary by product category and can be interpreted strictly by the authorities. The Dutch market-surveillance authority, the NVWA, oversees product safety, and the ACM addresses broader consumer-protection matters. Treat Dutch-language safety information as your safe default and confirm the specifics for your products with the NVWA.
This answer is for educational purposes and is not legal advice. Confirm your obligations with the NVWA or a qualified adviser before acting.