GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Aug 14, 2026

Economic Operator (EU Product Law)

When customs or a market surveillance authority investigates who is responsible for a defective or non-compliant product in the EU, the first question is who the relevant economic operator is.

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Last updated: 14 August 2026

Source: Frachtportal News: "Neue EU-Produkthaftung: Fulfilment-Dienstleister können selbst haften"; EU-Richtlinie (EU) 2024/2853

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Definition & Explanation

When customs or a market surveillance authority investigates who is responsible for a defective or non-compliant product in the EU, the first question is who the relevant economic operator is. Under EU product law, an economic operator is any natural or legal person who holds a defined role in a product's supply chain — such as manufacturer, importer, authorised representative, distributor, or, since the new Product Liability Directive (EU) 2024/2853, under certain conditions also a fulfilment service provider. Each role carries its own obligations, for example around labelling, documentation, or reporting safety risks; who bears which obligations depends on the manufacturer's location and position in the supply chain. For freight forwarders and logistics providers, the term matters because it determines who can be held liable in the event of damage and who acts as the point of contact for customs and market surveillance authorities. Not to be confused with the debtor for customs duties, which concerns import charges only.