What is the EU Market Surveillance Regulation?

Dutch term: Markttoezichtverordening | Legal basis: Regulation (EU) 2019/1020

The EU Market Surveillance Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1020) establishes the framework for market surveillance and compliance of products on the EU market. It allocates compliance obligations among economic operators (manufacturer, authorised representative, importer, distributor, fulfilment service provider) and requires the presence of at least one responsible economic operator established in the EU for products covered by its scope.

The regulation empowers national market surveillance authorities (in the Netherlands: NVWA, RDI, ILT) to request technical documentation, conduct product testing, order corrective measures, prohibit products from the market, and impose fines. It also establishes the EU Safety Gate (formerly RAPEX) system for rapid notification of dangerous products across all member states.

Why it matters for international businesses

For non-EU manufacturers selling into the EU, Regulation 2019/1020 is the framework that determines who in the supply chain must be established in the EU and bear compliance responsibility.