What is the reference category? Top brands, safety considerations, EU + US labeling regimes | ProductGuru

This page is part of ProductGuru — an index of public regulatory data on consumer products and their categories. It is not medical, dietary, or legal advice and is not a recommendation. Verify every fact at the linked primary regulator before acting on it. Affiliate disclosure (US FTC §255): pages on this site may carry eBay Partner Network links; we earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Sources: European Commission DG JUST + national market-surveillance authorities (Safety Gate / RAPEX) · US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) · Health Canada — Consumer Product Safety Directorate · last fetched 2026-06-08

The 'reference' category in the ProductGuru index encompasses a wide range of consumer products that serve as a source of information or provide guidance on various topics. These products can include books, manuals, guides, and other materials that aim to educate or inform consumers.

What this category covers

The 'reference' category covers various types of consumer products that provide information or guidance on specific topics. Some examples of products in this category include:

• Books on history, science, and other subjects
• Manuals and guides for various industries and professions
• Atlases, dictionaries, and other reference materials
• CD-ROMs and DVDs containing educational content

Top brands ProductGuru tracks in this category

Some of the top brands in the 'reference' category include:

• United States Government Printing
• Natl Learning Corp
• Gale Group
• Gallopade Intl
• Gale Cengage
• French & European Pubns
• Morgan Quitno Corporation

Key safety considerations

When it comes to safety, regulators in the European Union, the United States, and Canada impose a general safety duty on manufacturers and importers of consumer products. This means that these entities must ensure that their products do not pose a risk to consumers. In addition to this general safety duty, regulators also require post-market surveillance and recall obligations for consumer products.

Some specific safety considerations for products in the 'reference' category include:

• Physical safety: Products should not pose a physical risk to consumers, such as sharp edges or heavy weights.
• Chemical safety: Products should not contain hazardous chemicals that could cause harm to consumers.
• Electromagnetic safety: Products that emit electromagnetic radiation, such as computers or televisions, should comply with relevant safety standards.

European Union labeling regime

The European Union has a labeling regime in place to ensure that consumers are informed about the safety and performance of products. Under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988, manufacturers and importers must provide clear and accurate information about their products, including:

• Product name and description
• Manufacturer's name and address
• Warning and safety information
• Instructions for use

Regulators in the European Union also maintain a public-facing watchlist called RAPEX, which provides information on recalled products and other safety issues.

United States labeling regime

In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for ensuring that consumer products comply with safety standards and regulations. The CPSC requires manufacturers and importers to provide clear and accurate information about their products, including:

• Product name and description
• Manufacturer's name and address
• Warning and safety information
• Instructions for use

The CPSC also maintains a public-facing watchlist called SaferProducts.gov, which provides information on recalled products and other safety issues.

Canada labeling regime

In Canada, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) requires manufacturers and importers to ensure that their products comply with safety standards and regulations. The Act also requires clear and accurate labeling, including:

• Product name and description
• Manufacturer's name and address
• Warning and safety information
• Instructions for use

Health Canada maintains a public-facing watchlist called Recall and Safety Alerts, which provides information on recalled products and other safety issues.

How to check a specific product

If you want to check the safety and labeling of a specific product, you can follow these steps:

• Check the product's label or packaging for safety information and instructions for use.
• Visit the relevant regulator's website to check for recalls or safety issues related to the product.
• Search for the product's EAN (European Article Number) or UPC (Universal Product Code) on the ProductGuru website to access more information and reviews.
• Visit the ProductGuru \1/ surface to access a detailed product page with information from various sources.

Some specific regulators and their websites include:

• European Commission DG JUST: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/product-liability
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): https://www.cpsc.gov/
• Health Canada - Consumer Product Safety Directorate: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety.html

Verify on the primary regulator's register

• EU: European Commission DG JUST + national market-surveillance authorities (Safety Gate / RAPEX) — Directive 2001/95/EC (General Product Safety Directive, GPSD) — replaced by Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (General Product Safety Regulation) from 2024-12-13
• US: US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — Consumer Product Safety Act (15 USC 2051) + 16 CFR Parts 1101-1750
• Canada: Health Canada — Consumer Product Safety Directorate — Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA, S.C. 2010, c. 21)

Sample products tracked in ProductGuru

Browse all products in this category (reference) →

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Disclaimer. This page indexes publicly-published regulatory data from the European Commission, EFSA, ECHA, FDA, CPSC, FCC, EPA, Health Canada, CFIA, and related authorities. It is NOT medical, dietary, or legal advice and NOT a recommendation of any specific product or brand. Regulations change — verify each claim directly with the linked primary source before acting on it. No warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose is made or implied. Affiliate disclosure (US FTC §255): some pages on this site contain eBay Partner Network links; we earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. For personal health or legal concerns, consult a licensed professional.