PLATE 06 OF 20
Economic operators.
Who carries which obligations in the supply chain, and when a role changes.
Pillar guide
Manufacturer, importer and distributor: who does what?: Map the legal role to the supply chain. Product branding, own use and modifications can change who carries manufacturer obligations.
Supporting guides
| Guide | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer duties under Article 10 | Design, documentation, assessment, declaration, marking, identification, instructions, series conformity, and corrective action. |
| Importer duties under Article 13 | Checks on manufacturer conformity work and documents for products from a third country. |
| Distributor duties under Articles 15 and 16 | Due care and relevant checks for distributors, distinct for complete and partly completed products. |
| The authorised representative and its mandate | A written mandate for specified tasks, and the obligations a mandate cannot transfer. |
| When branding changes the role | Marketing under your own name or trademark can make an importer or distributor carry manufacturer obligations. |
| When modification changes the role | Modifying a product already placed on the market in a way that may affect compliance can change who is manufacturer. |
| Mapping roles across a supply chain | A role map that names manufacturer, importer, distributor, and representative for each product, not each company in general. |
| Own use and operator roles | Manufacturing for own use, and how operator duties apply when the manufacturer is also the user. |
| Corrective action across operators | How manufacturers, importers, and distributors each act when a product presents a risk, and who coordinates. |