GPSR: What It Is, and Why I Took It SeriouslyI promise not to get too technical here (I know “regulations” don’t exactly spark joy), but this was a huge milestone for me behind the scenes, and I wanted to share a quick update. The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is a new European Union law designed to ensure that all consumer products sold in the EU, including digital items like PDF crochet patterns, are safe and properly documented. It applies to both physical and digital products sold online or offline, and it places new responsibilities on creators like me. Though there was some speculation for a while that digital patterns might be exempt, an FAQ published by the European Commission confirmed that digital goods are, in fact, included. What Does This Mean for Pattern Designers? If you sell patterns to customers in the EU or Northern Ireland, GPSR requires you to: My GPSR Compliance Statement can be found here. What Does This Mean for Makers? While GPSR is primarily designed to protect EU consumers, it raises the bar for everyone. Designers are now asked to offer greater transparency, ensure digital files are safe, and clearly communicate any potential safety concerns, especially when patterns are used to create items for babies, children, or pets. In short: better safety, better quality, and a better experience for all. A Warm Welcome Back to My EU and NI Customers! Earlier this year, Etsy asked sellers to either comply with GPSR or pause sales to the EU and Northern Ireland. I had to temporarily block those regions while I worked toward full compliance. It was a difficult decision that I never took lightly. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that my shop is now fully GPSR-compliant and open once again to EU and NI customers! To celebrate this milestone — and to thank everyone for your patience — I’m offering 20% to everyone, everywhere. Use the code WELCOMEBACK when you check out on Etsy. Valid through August 10
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