GPSR in Slovakia: instructions in Slovak, SOI supervision and fines

Methodology: Marek Galetka, founder of Pravano. English translation of our Slovak article, which a person approved before publication; every number, date and legal reference of the translation is checked automatically against the original.

Cross-checked as of 6 October 2026 · based on primary sources

Updated 6 October 2026. Based on Act No. 83/2025 Coll. on General Product Safety. An informative readiness check, not a legal service or an official audit. Original: slovenská verzia.

Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety (GPSR) applies directly throughout the Union. Each state, however, determines who supervises it and what it additionally requires. In Slovakia this is governed by Act No. 83/2025 Coll. on General Product Safety, in effect since 1 May 2025. For manufacturers, importers, distributors and online shops, three practical points follow from it.

1) Instructions and safety information in the Slovak language

The GPSR leaves the language to be determined by the member state (Article 9(7) and Article 19), and Slovakia has determined it: the trader must ensure that the instructions for use and the safety information, where they are provided with the product, are in the Slovak language (Section 2(4)). In distance sales targeted at consumers in the Slovak Republic, the warnings and safety information must be stated in the offer in Slovak (Section 2(6)). For a seller shipping goods to Slovakia, this means a Slovak version of the instructions and Slovak safety warnings on the product page.

2) Who supervises: the Slovak Trade Inspection and Safety Gate

The market surveillance authority is the Slovak Trade Inspection (SOI), unless a market surveillance authority for a specified product is designated for the product in question (Section 4(1) and (2)). The Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic is the contact point for the Safety Gate system (Section 3, Section 10).

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3) Fines

A breach of the obligations of a manufacturer under Article 9 of the GPSR is punishable by a fine from €100 to €50,000, of an importer under Article 11 up to €50,000 and of a distributor under Article 12 up to €50,000 (Section 9(1), (3) and (4)).

What to check

Check whether every product for the Slovak market has Slovak instructions and safety information, whether your product pages for distance sales contain Slovak warnings, and whether, in case of an SOI inspection, you have at hand the documents proving that you have met the obligations under Articles 9, 11 or 12 of the GPSR according to your role.

Primary sources

Act No. 83/2025 Coll. on General Product Safety (Slovakia), Section 2(4) and (6) (Slovak language), Section 3, Section 4 (SOI supervision, Safety Gate), Section 9 (fines), Section 10

Frequently asked questions

Do the instructions have to be in Slovak even if instructions in English are commonly understood?

Yes. The trader must ensure that the instructions for use and the safety information, where they are provided with the product, are in the Slovak language (Section 2(4) of Act No. 83/2025 Coll.). The GPSR leaves the language to be determined by the member state in which the product is made available (Article 9(7)); Slovakia has determined Slovak.

We sell at a distance from abroad to Slovak consumers. Does this concern us?

Yes. In distance sales targeted at consumers in the Slovak Republic, you must state the warnings and safety information in the offer in Slovak (Section 2(6)).

Who inspects and what are the fines?

The supervisory authority is the Slovak Trade Inspection (SOI), unless a market surveillance authority for a specified product is designated for the product in question (Section 4). Fines for breaching the obligations of a manufacturer under Article 9 of the GPSR range from €100 to €50,000, of an importer under Article 11 up to €50,000 and of a distributor under Article 12 up to €50,000 (Section 9(1), (3) and (4)).