Regulation (EU) 2019/515 strengthens the Mutual Recognition Principle (MRP), which makes it simpler and more transparent for businesses to distribute goods across the EU.
- Once a product is lawfully marketed in one EU Member State, it can generally be distributed throughout the EU, as it will meet key health and safety requirements - even if technical rules differ between countries.
- However, if you actively promote or sell a product in another Member State, it needs to comply with that market’s national requirements.
A product legally marketed in France can be bought by a German customer on French commercial website under the MRP. But if the same product is sold through a German website, or promoted in German, it counts as targeting the German market and must meet German regulations.
In summary: The MRP makes it easier to distribute approved products across the EU, but once you sell within or promote it directly to a country, then local rules of that market apply.