For Economic Operators

Who are Economic Operators?

What are the Economic Operators obligations?

What does ComReg do?

Contact ComReg about Product Safety

Who are Economic Operators?

Economic operators are typically manufacturers, authorised representatives, importers, distributors or a person that is part of the product supply chain. Typically, in this case:

• The manufacturer is responsible for the conformity assessment of the product and is subject to a series of obligations including traceability requirements.
• The manufacturer may appoint an authorised representative in the European Union to act on their behalf in carrying out certain tasks.
• The importer is a natural or legal person established in the Union who places a product from a third country on the EU market. Their obligations build on the obligations of the manufacturer.
• The distributor is a natural or a legal person in the supply chain, other than the manufacturer or the importer, who makes a product available on the market. This category includes high street retailers and e-commerce platforms.

What are the Economic Operators obligations?

Before manufacturing, importing or purchasing equipment or devices, Economic operators must ensure they can be used in conformity with the EU and Irish law.  In Ireland the relevant EU legislation has been given effect in:

• The European Union (Radio Equipment) Regulations 2017 (the “RE Regulations”);  
• The European Communities (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Regulations 2016;
• The European Communities (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Regulations 2017(the “EMC Regulations”).
• The European Communities Low Voltage Regulations 2016is also relevant (the “LV Regulations”).

What does ComReg do?

ComReg engages in Market Surveillance activities such as:

• Investigating complaints from product End-Users and industry about unsafe products
• Working with Customs to minimise non-compliant products from entering the Irish market
• Monitoring ecommerce platforms to ensure that products are safe and compliant
• Inspect retail outlets to ensure that products on sale are safe and compliant
• Make information on product safety available to manufacturers, authorised representatives, importers and distributors so that all fully understand and are aware of their obligations
• ensure End-Users are aware of unsafe products
• Update the EU product safety rapid alert recall systems, RAPEX and ICSMS

Contact ComReg about Product Safety:

You can contact ComReg on any product safety queries you have or about our market surveillance activities at productsafety@comreg.ie