Glossary
Authorised representative for product conformity
Also called: Article 17 representative · authorised representative
What it means in practice
Naming one does not move the responsibility. The manufacturer stays the single business answerable for whether the packaging meets the rules, whoever wrote the document.
The rules that give it meaning
Letting someone else hold the paperwork
Applies nowA business counting as the manufacturer can appoint someone in writing to deal with authorities on its behalf. The rules call this an authorised representative. That person keeps the declaration and the supporting paperwork available for authorities and answers their questions. They produce documents within 10 days when asked, and can walk away if the business ignores its duties. Records are kept for 5 years for single-use packaging and 10 years for reusable packaging. Writing the technical paperwork is not part of the job.
Source: Regulation (EU) 2025/40, Art. 17 — read from this source on