California Prop 65 Label Requirements for Amazon Listings

This post covers the California Prop 65 label requirements for Amazon Listings. The California Prop 65 Label Act requires businesses and manufacturers to provide warnings about potential chemical exposures from their products. A Prop 65 warning label does not necessarily mean a product is unsafe but simply informs consumers about potential chemical exposure before they purchase the product. There is a wide range of potential chemicals that the law covers and businesses need to understand their responsibility for properly labeling their products. For a full list of chemicals and more information about Prop 65, see California’s official website.

Since its start, Amazon has been committed to prioritizing customer satisfaction throughout the entire shopping journey. To ensure that customers can trust the quality and safety of the products they purchase, Amazon updates its policies to comply with all federal and state regulations. To ensure sellers are complying with all laws and safety regulations, Amazon has begun continues to update processes for providing product safety documentation. To avoid listing deactivation and lost sales, sellers need to understand the safety requirements that apply to their products and the actions needed to be compliant. The California Prop 65 policies are especially important to Amazon sellers as they can apply to a variety of product categories. This post outlines the requirements for selling a product with a Prop 65 warning on Amazon and what sellers need to know to comply with California laws and Amazon policies. 

Understanding Amazon’s California Prop 65 Compliance Policy

Amazon’s California Prop 65 policy states, “You are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws, including the warning requirements mandated by California’s Proposition 65 (Prop 65).” What does this mean, and how can a seller ensure that they are compliant with California Prop 65? To comply with this law and avoid listing deactivation, sellers need to take the following actions:

Determine if Your Amazon Product Listing Needs a Prop 65 Warning

There is a wide range of chemical exposures covered by the Prop 65 Act, including lead, phthalates, cadmium, formaldehyde, mercury, and acrylamide. Manufacturers that are not sure if their product needs a warning label should get a Prop 65 exposure assessment. Sellers that don’t manufacture their products should coordinate with their suppliers and determine if an exposure assessment is needed.

Provide Amazon with the Correct Prop 65 Warning

Sellers need to provide the Prop 65 warning information by adding the details to the product listing. To do this, navigate to “Manage Inventory” and select “Edit listing” for each product that requires a label. Next, navigate to the California Proposition 65 section of the Safety & Compliance tab and add the warning type and chemical name information from the dropdown options. Also add the label warning information to the “Safety Warning” attribute.

Provide Additional Details to Seller Support

For custom Prop 65 warnings that are court-ordered, contact seller support. This step will not be necessary for every product, only for specific circumstances where a court requires a custom warning.

Add Warning Labels to Each Individual Unit 

To comply with California’s Prop 65 Act, every unit needs to have the warning label applied. Amazon FBA fulfillment centers will not provide these labels or apply them for you. Do not send any of these warning labels to FBA fulfillment centers. Products that require a warning label need to be shipped to fulfillment centers with the label already applied to each unit.

Whether you are the manufacturer and brand owner or if you receive inventory from a supplier, it is your responsibility to know the labeling requirements for the products you sell on Amazon. Failure to provide the warning details or label inventory could result in deactivated listings or account suspension. 

Prop 65 Label Requirements for Amazon Listings

Amazon sellers need to properly label products that need a Prop 65 warning in order to comply with California law and Amazon policies. Sellers can't restrict product sales to the state of California on Amazon. So, if a product requires the Prop 65 warning label to be sold in California, this label will need to be applied to all inventory before it is shipped to Amazon’s FBA warehouses. Amazon’s FBA labeling services do not cover warning labels and therefore will not apply these for you. Businesses are legally required to provide the chemical exposure warning to consumers in California, so the inventory must have the correct labels applied. Failure to apply the warning labels to each unit could result in heavy fines or even lawsuits, so sellers should take this responsibility seriously.

In addition to applying labels to physical inventory, Amazon sellers must also add the warning details to the listing’s Safety and Compliance attributes. There are 3 important listing attributes that should be provided for each ASIN:

• Warning Label - This attribute displays at the top of the page of the Safety & Compliance tab. This attribute is a string of text that allows up to 500 characters. Use this product field to provide the warning label details and any information that is required.

• California Proposition 65 Warning Type - Select the applicable category from the dropdown list. If unsure of which option to select, refer to the warning label and Prop 65 exposure assessment to identify the most appropriate category.

• California Proposition 65 Chemical Name(s) - Select all applicable chemical exposures from the dropdown list. If unsure, check with the manufacturer or refer to the chemical exposure assessment. 

Sellers are responsible for providing the Prop 65 warning details for all applicable products. Both the physical inventory units and the product’s detail page should include the Prop 65 warning details in order to be compliant. Sellers can add the information to product listings by manually editing each listing on the Manage Inventory page or by adding the details to a listing update feed and uploading the file.

Seller Central Product Safety Compliance Best Practices

As Amazon rolls out its streamlined processes for safety compliance, it’s important for sellers to understand the policies that apply to their products and prepare documentation that may be needed. Deactivated listings caused by compliance issues is every seller’s worst nightmare. Each day that a listing remains inactive results in lost sales and potential consequences to the account health status. To avoid these headaches and missed sales, we recommend the following best practices for Amazon policy compliance.

• Stay Informed About Federal and Safety Regulations - Amazon’s safety and compliance policies are informed by the requirements set by applicable regulatory entities. For example, Amazon’s Prop 65 policies are based on the requirements set by California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. For products to be eligible for sale on Amazon, they must comply with the standards set by the Prop 65 Act. Sellers, especially manufacturers and brand owners, should closely monitor changes to laws and standards at both state and federal levels to stay proactive.

• Prepare Safety Documentation in Advance - Even if Amazon hasn’t required safety documentation for your products yet, they likely will in the future. Review Amazon policies related to your product categories and determine what certifications or documentation could be required. Pay attention to details such as the exact type of documents or testing needed, the frequency of the testing (annual, every 3 years, etc.), and the required lab accreditations. Organize your documents and certifications so you can quickly provide them to Amazon if needed.

• Check your Account Health Frequently - Check your account health at least once or twice per week to make sure there are no violations that need to be addressed. Make sure performance notifications are enabled and shared with the correct email address. 

• Reach out to Seller Support with Questions - Improvements to the compliance communication were announced at Amazon Accelerate 2025. Amazon is working to reduce confusion about their compliance policies and help sellers understand the steps needed to resolve violations. If you are unsure what documentation is needed to appeal a violation, open a case with seller support. If there is still not enough information to resolve your issue, reach out to an account manager at Goat Consulting. 

Frequently Asked Questions on California Prop 65 Label Requirements for Amazon Listings

Can Amazon FBA add California Prop 65 labels?

No, Amazon FBA warehouses will not add California Prop 65 labels to inventory. Each individual unit must be labeled with the applicable California Prop 65 warning label before it is sent to Amazon FBA fulfillment centers. See this article for more information about preparing inventory for FBA fulfillment

Can I prevent my product from being sold in California?

No, sales cannot be restricted or prevented in specific states. Depending on the product category, Amazon may suppress your listing in certain states if the product is prohibited. For more information about prohibited products, see this Amazon help page.

Do I need to add Prop 65 labels to all inventory that I sell on Amazon?

A Prop 65 label needs to be applied to each individual unit when selling on Amazon. Amazon FBA labeling services will not add a California Prop 65 label, so this needs to be done by the seller before shipping inventory to fulfillment centers.

How do I know if the California Prop 65 warning is applicable to my products?

Information about the California Prop 65 requirements and impacted product categories can be found on the California Prop 65 website. If you are unsure if your product is compliant, review the requirements for your product and have a 3rd party lab run tests. See this list of Amazon-partnered third-party labs that can test for compliance with Prop 65 requirements. 

How do I add Prop 65 warning details to Amazon listings?

To add California Prop 65 label details to an Amazon listing, login to Seller Central and navigate to “Manage Inventory.” Search for the SKU that you want to update and select “Edit Listing Details.” Under offer details, add the California Prop 65 information to the applicable fields. After 24 hours, check the detail page to ensure that the required details are displaying.

Which products does the California Prop 65 requirement apply to?

The California Prop 65 warning can apply to a variety of products sold on Amazon, including foods, furniture, cosmetics, and personal care. To see if your product requires a Prop 65 label, order a chemical exposure assessment.

Conclusion

We hope that after reading this post, you have a better understanding of the California Prop 65 Label Act and how it relates to selling on Amazon. It is a right and not a privilege to sell on Amazon, and it requires sellers to understand what certifications, labels, and policies to follow for Amazon listings. Amazon will continue to hold sellers to a high standard to ensure customer safety. By complying with Amazon policies and keeping an account healthy, you can set yourself apart from the competition by having customers trust that you are selling safe and compliant products. If you have any questions regarding Account Health or Amazon policies, please reach out to Goat Consulting, where we can help you navigate your situation.

About the Author - Stella Nelson

This post was written by Stella Nelson, an Account Manager at Goat Consulting. Stella helps her clients sell on Amazon by increasing sales, mitigating risk, reducing costs, and solving problems. Stella has experience and expertise in helping brands and manufacturers navigate California Prop 65 issues on Amazon. If you want help or assistance with other aspects of selling on Amazon, Stella is happy to lead your account.

Disclaimer - The information provided in this article is informational; it is not legal advice, and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the content will always reflect the latest updates to Amazon policies, local, state, and federal legal advice. This information is not a substitute for reading and understanding policies and regulations.

Selling Bikes on Amazon Policy Requirements

This post covers the compliance requirements sellers must meet to sell bikes, children's bicycles, and e-bikes on Amazon. These safety standards are in place to ensure customers feel confident when buying bikes without having to worry about safety or quality issues. They also uphold the integrity of the Amazon marketplace because they promote safety for customers, partners, and employees. It is the seller’s responsibility to comply with all laws, regulations, and Amazon policies. Abiding by Amazon’s compliance requirements helps sellers avoid blocked listings or even removal of selling privileges. Avoiding critical compliance issues can help sellers increase their chances of succeeding on Amazon. This post includes why it’s important to comply with safety testing, the different bike requirements Amazon has, and how you can submit your compliance documents.

Selling Bikes on Amazon in Compliance

This section will cover the general overview of selling bikes and the required documentation for policy compliance selling on Amazon. 

Types of Bikes Included in the Bicycle Policy

As we know, bikes can come in many shapes and sizes but for the purpose of bicycle compliance, Amazon defines a bike as “A bicycle is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle that has a rear-drive wheel that is solely human-powered. Bicycles covered by this policy include those with a seat that is more than 25 inches above the ground, when the seat is adjusted to its highest position, and sidewalk bicycles, which have a seat height of 25 inches or less. Recumbent bicycles that are intended for road use are also covered by this policy.” This policy does not include made to order, one-of-a-kind bicycles that do not require assembly, tack bikes intended for competition that includes a tubular tire with a single crank-to-wheel ratio, and no freewheeling feature. This policy is geared mostly toward mass-produced bikes that Amazon customers build themselves. In later sections of this post we will cover children’s bicycles and e-bike specific policy compliance.

Regulation, Standard, and Requirement for Selling Bicycles on Amazon

If you want to sell bicycles on Amazon the required documentation is 16 CFR Part 1512 (Requirements for Bicycles) set by the  U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. It is important to review all of the details outlined in the safety standards but there are a few key points to remember:

• Mechanical Safety Requirements - there are specific requirements around the brakes, wheel & tire integrity, pedals & cranksets, handlebars, fork & frame, and sharp edges.

• Performance Requirements - bikes must have reflectors (front - white, rear - red, pedal - amber or yellow, and wheel - reflectors on each wheel or reflective tires), chain guards, and toe clearance so your foot does not get caught on the front wheel while turning.

• Labeling Requirements - There must be a permanent label that includes - manufacturer or private labeler's name, month & year of manufacture, and model identification. They must also include safety instructions, brake adjustment info, and proper fit guidance for the end customer.

Certification for Selling Bikes on Amazon

Sellers must submit specific documentation in order to comply with the Bicycle Policy on Amazon. This includes test reports from an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory demonstrating that the product complies with the regulations, standards, and requirements listed in the 16 CFR Part 1512 (Requirements for Bicycles) along with a GCC (General Certificate of Conformity). The image requirements include: Model, part, or item number; name and address of manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative; brand name or registered trademark; product labels; product packaging; compliance markings; hazard warnings; product instructions and manuals. Amazon may request additional information to verify product safety and compliance at any time.

Children's Bicycles Selling on Amazon within Compliance

This section covers the additional policy requirements for selling children’s bikes on Amazon. In general, children’s bikes fall under the same compliance requirements as adult bikes but depending on the age of who the product is designed for, it may require additional lead and small parts testing and certification.

Amazon Definition of Children’s Bike

Amazon defines a children’s bicycle as “a two-wheeled vehicle that has a rear-drive wheel that is solely human-powered and a seat height of 25 inches or less, or is designed or intended for use by children 12 years of age or younger.” Similar to the bicycle policy, this does not include one-of-a-kind bicycles made to the order of an individual without assembling stock or production parts. It is important to note how your bicycle is designed, intended, and marketed towards as there are additional policies for age brackets including under 3 years of age as well as bikes for the 3 to 6 years age group.

Regulation, Standard, and Requirement for Selling Children’s Bicycles on Amazon

Depending on the age bike sellers designed, intended, or marketed the bike for children, there are additional requirements for each age group.

• All Children’s Bicycles Requirements - All children’s bicycles must comply with the 16 CFR Part 1512 (Requirements for Bicycles), see above section for more information on this requirement. The other requirements for children’s bicycles are CPSIA (Lead) & the CPSA 14(a)(5) (Tracking Label). 

• Children Under the Age of 3 - If the bike you are selling is designed, intended, or marketed for children under the age of 3 you must also comply with 16 CFR Part 1501 (Small Parts Testing).

• Children Age 3 to 6 - If the bike you are selling is designed, intended, or marketed for children aged 3 to 6, you must comply with 16 CFR Part 1500.19 and 16 CFR Part 1500.20 (Small Parts Labeling).

Certifications for Selling Children’s Bicycles on Amazon

Once you have established which age group your Children’s bike falls into, you must get the proper certification from a CPSC accepted laboratory demonstrating that the product complies with all of the applicable requirements listed above as well as a CPC (children’s product certificate). Similar to the general bike policy, Amazon requires sellers to submit images of: the model, part, or item number; name and address of manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative; brand name or registered trademark; product labels; product packaging; compliance markings; hazard warnings; product instructions and manuals. In addition, sellers need to upload images of the CPSA Tracking label (permanently affixed to the product and its packaging) & registration card for safety alerts and recalls.

Electrical Bicycles (e-bikes or e-bicycles) Policy Compliance on Amazon

This section covers the definition, standards, and certifications for selling electrical bicycles (e-bikes or e-bicycles) on Amazon.

Amazon Definition of Electrical Bicycles

Amazon defines electrical bicycles for selling on Amazon as “Electric bicycles and electric tricycles, also called e-bikes and e-trikes, are electrically assisted pedal bicycles. These are two-wheeled or three-wheeled e-mobility devices used for personal transportation, with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 250 watts and top power speed of 25 km (15.5 miles) per hour that provides propulsion assistance.” There are different requirements for electronic mobility devices so ensure your product falls within the specific electric bicycle definition to know which regulation/standard and certification the product you sell falls under. 

Regulation, Standard, and Requirement for Selling E-Bicycles on Amazon

All e-bikes fall under the same 16 CFR Part 1512 (Requirements for bicycles) requirements as a traditional bicycle, so review the above section for those details. In addition, e-bikes fall under safety regulation ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 (Standard for Electrical Systems for Electrical Bicycles). This regulation covers more specifically the electrical drive system and battery as they have a greater risk of fire, explosion, or electrical shock. UL 2849 covers the entire e-bike electrical system as an integrated unit covering the rechargeable battery system, electric motor, charger &  charging circuitry, controller & sensors, wiring and connectors. New York state has additional requirements including: New York S 7503-B, New York S 7760-A, and New York S 7744-D, which in general covers more about the lithium-ion batteries and operating manual requirements.

Certifications for Selling E-Bikes on Amazon

Sellers of e-bikes must submit certification test reports from an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory demonstrating that the product complies with the regulations, standards, and requirements listed from the above section. In addition, the following images are required: model, part, or item number; manufacturer or brand name; product labels; compliance markings; product instructions and manuals. 

In addition, for New York specifically, e-bike sellers need to upload:

• User manual PDF in the following languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Yiddish, Bangla, Korean, Haitian Creole, Italian, Arabic, Polish, French, and Urdu. 

• Red tag affixed to the charging cord of the product which clearly states, "Unplug when not in use"

• Notice affixed to the product which clearly stating "NOTICE: Always yield to pedestrians and follow traffic laws. Riding on the sidewalk may be illegal; consult local laws."

How to Submit Your Bike Compliance Documents

Once you have identified the requirements needed for your products and have received the correct documentation, the next step is to upload the documents to the manage your compliance page. 

1. Within Seller Central, navigate to the Account Health page

2. Click on the Product Compliance Request link

3. Identify the ASIN and SKUs that requires documentation and click Add or Appeal Compliance

4. Provide all the required documentation including: testing documents, images, and additional comments

5. Wait for Amazon to review the documents for approval

Once Amazon has reviewed and approved the documents, it is important to check your listing on the Amazon store to ensure that it has been reinstated and has an active offer.

Frequently Asked Questions for Selling Bikes on Amazon Policy Requirements 

What compliance standards do you need to meet in order to sell bikes on Amazon?

You must meet requirements of 16 CFR Part 1512 standards. 

What type of bikes are covered under Amazon’s bicycle compliance policy?

The policy covers two or three wheeled, human-powered bicycles, including those with seat heights above or below 25 inches and recumbent road bikes. It excludes one-of-a-kind or competition-only bikes.

What documentation is required to prove compliance for bikes?

Sellers must provide test reports from an ISO 17025-accredited lab and a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) along with high-quality images of product labels, packaging, safety instructions, and other manufacturing details.

How does Amazon define a children’s bicycle?

Amazon defines a children’s bike as a two-wheeled vehicle that has a rear-drive wheel that is solely human-powered and a seat height of 25 inches or less, or is designed or intended for use by children 12 years of age or younger

What additional regulations and requirements must I meet for selling a children’s bike?

All children’s bikes must comply with 16 CFR Part 1512, CPSIA (lead), and tracking label rules (CPSA 14(a)(5)). If your product is for under 3 years old, you must also comply with 16 CFR Part 1501 (Small Parts Testing). If the bike is for someone aged 3-6 you must comply with 16 CFR Parts 1500.19 & 1500.20 (Small Parts Labeling)

What qualifies as an electric bike under Amazon’s policies?

Amazon defines e-bikes as: Electric bicycles and electric tricycles, also called e-bikes and e-trikes, are electrically assisted pedal bicycles. These are two-wheeled or three-wheeled e-mobility devices used for personal transportation, with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 250 watts and top power speed of 25 km (15.5 miles) per hour that provides propulsion assistance.

What are the safety regulations for selling e-bikes on Amazon?

E-bikes must meet 16 CFR Part 1512 and the ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 standard, which covers the full electrical system including the motor, battery, charger, and connectors.

What are the New York state specific requirements for selling an e-bike on Amazon?

To sell an e-bike in New York, sellers must comply with S 7503-B, S 7760-A, and S 7744-D, which include extra labeling, safety notices, and multilingual manuals.

Conclusion

I hope that you have learned more about the policy requirements for selling bikes, children’s bicycles, and e-bikes on Amazon. It can be frustrating if you are getting blocked or your product listing is being removed due to not having the correct documentation. The goal of these requirements and testing documents is to ensure that products sold on Amazon are safe for customers. When customers can trust that the products they buy are safe, this raises the tide for all sellers on the marketplace. If you have any questions or need help selling bikes (or any other products) on Amazon, please reach out.

About the Author

This post was written by Mike Gray, an Account Manager at Goat Consulting. Mike helps his clients sell on Amazon by increasing sales, mitigating risk, reducing costs, and solving problems. Mike both loves to bike and has extensive experience researching and solving Amazon policy requirements for his clients. If you want help understanding selling bikes, or any other product that can be sold on Amazon, Mike is happy to lead your account.

Selling Restricted Lighting Products on Amazon

This post covers steps to ensure you are compliant with the current policy for selling restricted lighting products on Amazon. Amazon continuously updates its Restricted Products Policies to comply with new legislation and regulations. Product listings identified as noncompliant with these policies are removed and require seller action to be reinstated. One recent policy update relates to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) energy conservation standards for general service light bulbs. Violations to this new policy state that your product has been identified as non-compliant with energy conservation standards, which Amazon prohibits. These violations remain on a seller’s account health dashboard until they are acknowledged or appealed. The ASIN will remain deactivated and unavailable for purchase if no appeal is submitted. Sellers must address these violations quickly with the requested documentation to continue selling products in the lighting category and keep products active and available for purchase. 

Understanding Amazon’s Restricted Products Policy for General Service Light Bulbs

This seller central Restricted Products Policy Violation states that the noncompliant ASIN is a general service light bulb that does not meet the DOE’s standards for energy conservation. In order to properly address this violation, it’s important to first understand what product attributes or information may have caused the product to be viewed as non-compliant.  Sellers with product listings in applicable categories may see the following Restricted Products Policy Violation:

This product has been identified as a general service light bulb that is non-compliant with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) energy conservation standards. Amazon policy prohibits the listing or sale of products that are non-compliant with federal, state, or local laws. To appeal this restriction, please submit a request through Seller or Vendor Central. In your request, please provide the Lighting Facts label, or update the product detail page to include this information.

This policy applies to ASINs in the light bulb category, including:

• Black Light Bulbs

• Fluorescent Tubes

• Halogen Bulbs

• Incandescent Bulbs

• Krypton & Xenon Bulbs

• LED Bulbs

• Other (Light Bulbs)

This new enforcement by Amazon is driven by the Department of Energy’s recent adjustment to the energy standards for general service light bulbs, specifically incandescent bulbs. The new requirement for general service light bulbs is 45 lumens/watt which many light bulbs, specifically incandescent, do not meet. The Department of Energy defines a general service lamp (GSIL) as a standard incandescent or halogen-type lamp that is intended for general service applications. GSILs have a lumen range of 310 lumens to 2600 lumens.
The DOE has defined several types of bulbs that are exempt from this policy and wouldn’t be considered general service light bulbs, including:

• Appliance lamps

• Bug Lamps

• Colored lamps

• Specific bulb shapes such as J, JC, and G

For more information and definitions of general service lamps (bulbs) and exemptions, see this document from energy.gov.

How to Resolve the Restricted Products Policy Violation for Energy Conservation Standards

The first step to resolving any violation on the Seller Central account health dashboard is determining what triggered the violation. For this specific violation, the impacted ASIN has been identified as a general service light bulb that does not meet the standard of 45 lumens/watt. To determine if a product meets the new standard, Amazon reviews the ASIN’s energy attributes, specifically the brightness, energy used, and life of the bulb. Amazon may need the lighting facts sheet to verify these details even if they have already been submitted for the listing.

To appeal this violation, first, check and edit the product details for the impacted ASIN. Make sure that all relevant details from the lighting facts sheet are present on the listing, including:

• Brightness (Lumens)

• Energy Used (Wattage)

• Life of Bulb (In Hours, Days, or Years)

• Light Appearance (Kelvin)

Check that these details are displayed in Amazon’s catalog 24 hours after they are updated. If the product details are still not displaying, open a case with support.

Once the required attributes for this category are reviewed and accurately displayed, submit an appeal for the violation by navigating to the account health dashboard. Select the Restricted Product Policy Violations and submit an appeal under Next Steps. Be sure to clearly state the reasoning for the appeal, including the lighting facts sheet. If any action was taken, such as updating a lighting attribute, note that change in the appeal. State why the ASIN is compliant and provide details or proof requested by support. If the initial appeal is rejected, do not resubmit the same appeal again. Take time to contact Amazon Account Health and try to collect more information regarding the rejection or violation. Only resubmit the appeal if it has been adapted or improved in some way. Repeatedly submitting identical appeals can decrease your odds of a successful appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the energy conservation standards for general service light bulbs?

The updated standard for a general service lamp (GSIL) is 45 lumens/ watt

How can I get a lighting facts sheet for my product?

Product testing and a lighting facts sheet can both be requested from the Department of Energy. The DOE also provides templates for lighting facts sheets so manufacturers can add their own product information

My product is not a general service light bulb, how can I get this violation removed?

This product was identified by Amazon as a general service light bulb due to several factors including the product description, product category, and product images. If you believe that your product is exempt from this policy or unrelated, submit an appeal with documentation. Include product images, descriptions, manufacturer website link, and any other documentation that can prove the product’s identity. Also try to identify what triggered this violation, including any text or product categorization, and note it in the appeal.

How can I improve my account health rating?

The account health rating is based on the seller’s order volume and any existing violations. To improve the account health rating, address any existing violations. An account health rating about 200 is healthy.

How can I tell if a light bulb is classified as a general service lamp (GSIL)?

The Department of Energy defines GSILs and the exemptions in this document: https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/gsl-definitions-fr.pdf

Why isn’t my Amazon listing showing?

A: If a detail page is not available for an ASIN, check the account heath for violations that may have led to deactivation. If no violations exist on the account health, open a case to request more information from seller support.

Why do my Restricted Policy Violation appeals keep getting rejected by Amazon?

Review the responses from support and confirm that you are providing all documentation that has been requested. If you do not understand what documentation is needed, open a case with support or call an account health specialist.

Conclusion

In order to abide by government regulations and standards, Amazon updates its policies to ensure all actively available products are compliant. When an ASIN is deactivated due to Restricted Product Policy violations, sellers need to understand the legislation that the Amazon policy is based on and what documentation is required to be compliant. For the DOE’s energy conservation standards, sellers need to provide the Lighting Facts label and the applicable energy attributes for that ASIN. When appealing these violations, sellers must provide a clear argument for why the ASIN is compliant and include any documentation that can support this claim. If you are struggling to reinstate a compliant lighting product or you have questions about your product compliance, click the contact us button below to start a conversation.

About the Author

This post was written by Stella Nelson, an Account Manager at Goat Consulting. Stella helps her clients sell on Amazon by increasing sales, mitigating risk, reducing costs, and solving problems. Stella has experience and expertise in policy compliance that align with the overall Amazon selling strategy and goals for her Goat Consulting clients. If you want help with managing account health violations, or assistance with other aspects of selling on Amazon, Stella is happy to lead your account.

Amazon Plant and Seed Products Restricted Category Policy

This blog post covers the Amazon compliance topic around selling seeds and plants on Amazon. In late June, many sellers received a notice that your product has been identified as a live plant or seed listed outside of the SEEDS_AND_PLANTS or PLANT_SEED categories with the risk of product removal from the Amazon store. The goal of this post is to help you understand what action you need to take in order to comply with Amazon’s policies and retain active products and account for selling on Amazon. Amazon is enforcing the rules, laws, and guidelines outlined by the USDA and other government bodies around the selling of plant and seed products in order to maintain a healthy environmental ecosystem. We will cover an overview of the plant and seed products policy, requirements for selling plants and seeds on Amazon, and the performance notification and action required from seeds and plants on Amazon.

Overview of the Plant and Seed Products Policy on Amazon

The plant and seed products policy on Amazon articulates the rules around the requirements sellers need to follow in order to sell plant and seed products on Amazon. The plant and seed products policy is a part of the category, product, and listing restrictions for restricted products, which explains the additional requirements that sellers must follow to comply with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and Amazon policies related to selling products. Here is the high level specific policy from Amazon for plant and seed products:

Our policy: You must comply with all applicable federal laws when selling plant and seed products. You must also comply with state and local laws applicable to the jurisdiction into which your products are sold as well as the jurisdiction from which you ship. For example, many state laws have shipping label requirements when shipping a live plant. In addition, you are responsible for obtaining any required licenses and permits and are liable for any penalties resulting from non-compliance. Plants, plant products, and seeds may not be imported from outside of the United States.

It is important to not only review the Amazon policies for selling plants and seeds but be sure you are complying with all jurisdictions for selling your products. It is your responsibility as the seller to comply with these regulations and Amazon compliance and risk mitigation should be a regular activity for your company. 

Requirements for Selling Plants and Seeds on Amazon

Amazon lists several requirements for selling plants and seeds on Amazon. This is not an exhaustive list but a helpful tool that you can apply to the products you sell. State and local governments may have additional requirements for both interstate and intrastate shipping. Here is an overview of some of the requirements:

Examples of Permitted Plants and Seed

Here is a non-exhaustive list of requirements for plants, plant products, and propagates and seeds that are permitted:

• Sold by US residents

• Not imported from outside of the US

• Sold by licensed sellers

• In compliance with all other legal, regulatory, and licensing requirements

Examples of Prohibited Plant and Seed Listings

Here is a non-exhaustive list of requirements for plants, plant products, and propagates and seeds that are not permitted to be sold on Amazon:

• Designated by the USDA as “noxious” or similarly classified by applicable state or local government authorities

• Subject to federal, state, or local government quarantines (such as the USDA’s citrus canker quarantine or the Washington state grape virus quarantine)

• Taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of the Lacey Act

• Dangerous or fatal when touched or consumed (such as the pong pong seed)

• Sold by non-US residents

• Imported from outside the US

• Not in compliance with all other legal, regulatory, and licensing requirements

Shipping and Labeling Requirements for Selling Plants and Seeds on Amazon

Every shipped plant, plant product, or seed needs to contain the following information:

• The name and address of the shipper or owner

• The name of the person to whom the shipment is being sent

• The name of the country, state, or territory where the contents were grown

• A statement of the contents

California specific Shipping and labeling requirements for shipments brought into California:

• The name and address of the shipper or owner

• The name of the person to whom the shipment is forwarded or shipped to or the name of their agent

• The name of the country, state, or territory where the contents were grown

• A statement of the contents

Christmas Trees and Christmas Greenery

If you sell live fresh-cut Christmas trees or greenery such as fresh wreaths or garlands, you are required to request approval from Amazon before selling. Amazon is only allowing certified vendors to list live or fresh trees and greeneries on Amazon. If you plan on selling for the next holiday season, you should list your products early in order to ensure you have the proper documentation and approval from Amazon prior to the season starting.

Performance Notification and Action Required around Seeds and Plants on Amazon

On June 29th, 2024, many sellers received a performance notification or an Amazon notification of Restricted products removal indicating that immediate action is required with the risk of listings becoming removed from the Amazon store. The notification with the subject “Immediate action required: Listing(s) at risk of removal” may look something like this:

Hello,

This is to inform you that the following detail pages are at the risk of removal from our catalog. You must take remedial actions before 7/1/2024, UTC, else your listing(s) will be removed from our catalog. It is your obligation to ensure that the products you offer, comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Amazon's policies.

ASIN: B00XXXXXX, SKU: XXX, Title: XXXXX

ASIN: B00XXXXXX, SKU: XXX, Title: XXXXX

Why is this happening?

This product has been identified as a live plant or seed product that is listed outside of the SEEDS_AND_PLANTS or PLANT_SEED categories. Please update the product_type attribute to either SEEDS_AND_PLANTS or PLANT_SEED values as a path to reinstatement. If you are unable to make the necessary changes, please work with Seller Support to change the category classification for your ASIN and then please apply for reinstatement. It is against Amazon policy to list live plant or seed product outside of these categories. For more information, see the help page at https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/external/help.html?itemID=201737480&language=en-US&ref=efph_201737480_cont_200164330.

What actions do I need to take?

- Please see policy information beneath the listing at issue in your Account Health page for any other relevant actions or information required to bring product into compliance.

- If you believe the product(s) listed above are permitted for sale on Amazon, you can submit a dispute by following these steps:

1. Go to "Account Health" in Seller Central.

2. Click "Appeal" next to the violation at issue.

To view your account performance, go to "Account Health": https://sellercentral.amazon.com/performance/dashboard?reftag=ah_em_rp or select "Account Health" on the home screen of the Amazon Seller app on your iOS or Android device. The Account Health dashboard shows how well your account is performing in light of the metrics and policy compliance standards required to sell on Amazon.

We're here to help.

If you have questions about our restricted products policy, refer to:

Restricted products: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/G200164330

Listing restrictions: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/G200832300

Restricted Products FAQ: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/GCYAVS22E6CQKV2B

- We are expanding notifications that let you know about issues before they impact your ability to sell. If you have additional questions, contact Selling Partner Support: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/cu/contact-us.

Sellers need to first understand if they are in violation of the product. If you in fact sell a product that is a Plant, plant product, or seed and you are categorized outside of the appropriate category, then you need to update the product_type attribute to either SEEDS_AND_PLANTS or PLANT_SEED values to correctly categorize your product. There are certain situations where Amazon incorrectly applies the policy to your product. For example, if you sell a plastic toy plant, you could see how there could be confusion around why Amazon inadvertently provided you a performance notification for this product. If you find your listing down with an Amazon Page Not Found page and need to reinstate your Amazon listing then you can work through the appeal process to prove that you have a product that complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Frequently Asked Questions on Amazon Plant and Seed Products Restricted Category Policy

What is the Amazon plant and seed products policy?

The Amazon plant and seed products policy is the Amazon restricted policy that outlines the rules and guidelines for selling plant, plant products, and seed related products on Amazon

What do I do if I get a performance notification for the Amazon plant and seed products policy?

If you have a performance notification for the Amazon plant and seed products policy, you need to thoroughly read the notification to understand the policy violation and the affected ASINs. From there, you can take the corrective action requested by Amazon or if you believe there was an issue you can appeal the policy violation.

What are the shipping requirements for selling a plant of seed product?

State and local governments may have different requirements but generally you will need: the name and address of the shipper or owner, the name of the person to whom the shipment is being sent, the name of the country, state, or territory where the contents were grown, and a statement of the contents.

Why do I need to take action for a performance notification?

If you do not take action on performance notifications, you run the risk of offer, listing, and account removal.

What is a noxious plant?

A noxious plant is one that is harmful or injurious to health or physical well-being. It is noted by Amazon that plants designated by the USDA as “noxious” or similarly classified by applicable state or local government authorities are prohibited from being listed on Amazon.

Do I need to be a licensed seller to sell plants on Amazon?

Yes, you need to be a licensed seller to sell plants and seeds on Amazon.

Can you import plants outside of the US and sell on the US Amazon store?

No, you cannot sell plants from outside of the US and sell on the US Amazon store

What can I do if I am not sure what action to take from a plants and seeds performance notification?

If you are not sure what to do from a performance notification, please reach out to Goat Consulting and we can help you understand what action to take.

Conclusion

The plants and seeds policy on Amazon is an important restricted product policy to understand. You may receive a performance notification that pulls your listing into this policy and it is important to understand the tools and actions you can take to resolve the policy issue or appeal an accidental violation. Risk mitigation and maintaining an active selling account is a foundational piece to successfully selling on Amazon. If you have any questions about a performance notification, please contact us through our Contact Us form.

About the Author - Reed Thompson

This post was written by Reed Thompson, the CEO at Goat Consulting. Reed helps lead the Goat Consulting team and their clients sell on Amazon by increasing sales, mitigating risk, reducing costs, and solving problems. Reed has experience and expertise in Amazon policies and reinstating downed listings that help Goat Consulting clients maintain a positive and active account health status. If you want help troubleshooting the Plant and Seeds compliance topic, or assist with other aspects of selling on Amazon, please reach out through our Contact Us form.

Additional Resources for Plants and Seeds on Amazon

• USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine program

• Federal and state noxious weed lists

• National Plant Board (provides information on state plant regulations)

• Important information for international sellers

• California seed law (includes, among other things, a requirement for authorization to sell seeds in California)

Disclaimer - The information provided in this article is informational advice, it is not legal advice, should not be relied upon as legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the content will always reflect the latest updates to Amazon policies, local, state, and federal legal advice. This information is not a substitute for reading and understanding policies and regulations.

Manage Your Compliance Selling on Amazon

Amazon helps brands and manufacturers ensure proper product safety and documentation through the Manage Your Compliance tool when selling on Amazon. Offering safe and compliant products on Amazon is a baseline necessity for selling on Amazon. Generally, we focus on how we can increase sales or perform better in Amazon Advertising. However, the ability for a customer to purchase or even use Amazon Advertising goes away if your product is removed from the Amazon store due to a lack of documentation supporting that your product is safe to be sold. At Goat Consulting, we consider risk mitigation a top priority when leading accounts, and we strive to ensure your listings and accounts remain active. A more compliant, and safer Amazon store will build more trust with Amazon customers. More trust with Amazon customers will raise the tide for all sellers on the platform. If you have any questions about Amazon policy and compliance, please reach out to Goat Consulting to see how we can help. This post will cover an overview of the Manage Your Compliance tool, how to use the compliance reference guide for known compliance requirements, and how to submit requested compliance documents.

Manage Your Compliance on Amazon Overview

Ensuring you maintain Amazon compliance through proper regulatory and safety requirements is an essential part of selling on Amazon. It can be frustrating if you open up your Amazon Seller account to find an Amazon notification of restricted products removal and your product listing removed and showing the Amazon Page Not Found indication of a removed listing. This indicates that you need to check Amazon’s account health notifications and policies to ensure your product is compliant. Amazon must ensure they offer products that are safe and have no risk of causing injury or damage. In order to manage this customer safety, they use the Manage Your Compliance Tool which allows sellers to view required compliance documents, submit documents, and research when documentation may be required for your products. In order to navigate to the Manage Your Compliance Dashboard, simply click the performance tab and choose Account Health. From there, click on the Product Compliance Request link. 

How to Proactively Check Amazon Compliance Requirements

When it comes to risk mitigation and compliance, it is better to be proactive rather than reactive for ensuring the correct Amazon product compliance. It is your responsibility as a seller to have the proper testing and documentation required for your products to satisfy laws, regulations, and Amazon policies for selling on Amazon. 

Sometimes Amazon policies go above and beyond the requirements of regulations and other marketplaces, so it is important to review all relevant policies related to your product. During an Amazon Compliance seminar at the Amazon Accelerate 2023 event, an attendee asked, “Why do I need to provide more regulatory testing and documentation on Amazon than is required by the law?” The speaker at the event had an interesting perspective in her response, which is that the law is just a baseline for compliance, and that Amazon strives to go above and beyond in order to ensure a safe and trustworthy marketplace for customers. It is always worth the extra effort to review the Amazon specific policies around your product. It’s important to remember Amazon may have policies around your product that go above and beyond the law, and you will have to comply with those policies if you wish to sell on Amazon. 

Amazon wants to help brands and manufacturers with understanding the required documentation and created the Compliance Reference tool within Manage Your Compliance as an educational and informational tool for researching compliance on certain products. This tool allows you to search by product type/category or HS code, to identify your product group. When you locate your product group, this helps you find the appropriate Amazon policy page with the required information, testing regulation standards, and helpful resources. Certain categories even provide a list of third party service providers that are certified to properly test your products.

Submit Requested Amazon Compliance Documents 

If you find that Amazon is requiring you to submit a requested compliance document, this can be done through the Manage Your Compliance tool. Under the Incomplete requests tab, you will see a list of SKUs that show the compliance requirements, impacted items, at-risk sales, compliance status, and action required. When you click provide documents, you will see a section for each of the required documents. Upload your documents (ensuring that you have the correct requirements outlined by Amazon), add in a note of 350 characters if you have additional context, and hit submit. From there, your submission goes into a review state. Amazon will either reject, approve, or note that the requirement is no longer requested. It is important to monitor the submission status to ensure reinstatement of the listing. If Amazon rejects the document and does not provide additional context, reach out to us below for help in troubleshooting the issue further. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Manage Your Compliance Selling on Amazon FAQ

What is the Manage Your Compliance tool?

The manage your compliance tool is the Amazon interface to view and upload requested compliance documentation for your products.

How do I know if I need to upload an Amazon product compliance document?

If you have a required document, you will see a number under the Manage Your Compliance product compliance request on the Account Health page.

How do I submit compliance documents on the Manage Your Compliance tool?

In the Manage Your Compliance page, click provide documents and upload your documents. You can also add up to 350 characters of additional information to provide context about your product

How to Appeal a compliance documentation request on the Amazon Manage Your Compliance page?

If you would like to appeal an Amazon compliance documentation request, you can click “Appeal Request”, select the appropriate appeal reason, add a 350 character comment explaining why you are appealing, and hit submit for review.

How do I proactively check the compliance required for my products on Amazon?

Using the Compliance Reference section under the Manage Your Compliance tool you can research and find the Amazon help documentation page and connect with a 3rd party service provider for product testing.

Conclusion

Following Amazon policies, laws, and regulations is a baseline requirement for selling on Amazon. Amazon created the Manage Your Compliance tool as a way to help brands and manufacturers be compliant when selling on the platform. Use the Manage Your Compliance tool to research requirements using the Compliance Reference section and maintain active testing documents requested by Amazon. Selling compliant and safe products will create a safe and issue-free environment for customers to shop. If you would like help with understanding Amazon policies or requirements for your products, please reach out through the Contact Us form.

About the Author

This post was written by Reed Thompson, the co-founder and CEO of Goat Consulting. Reed leads Goat Consulting supporting account manager’s clients on Amazon by increasing sales, mitigating risk, reducing costs, and solving problems. He has experience and expertise in helping brands and manufacturers mitigate risk and comply with Amazon policies. If you want help with the Manage Your Compliance tool or assist with other aspects of selling on Amazon, please reach out.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. If you supply products for sale on Amazon, you must comply with all applicable laws and Amazon policies for each of those products and product listings. The information on this page is provided as an informational resource only and the user is ultimately responsible for confirming the accuracy of the information before submission. If you choose to retain a service provider, you will be contracting directly with them and they will be providing services to you at your direction. Amazon does not endorse any service provider or its services nor does Amazon accept any liability or responsibility for services by service providers.

Selling a Restricted Product Category or Brand on Amazon

This post will cover an overview on selling a restricted product, category, or brand on Amazon. Amazon has created a unique way for people to shop and find new products while also designing a space where customers can be confident that the products they purchase are safe and authentic. To protect consumers, some products, categories, and brands may need to get approval to be sold on the Amazon marketplace. Even if some brands or categories do not require approval, specific products may need approval. This process is built to help sellers remain compliant with any laws and regulations that apply to their business, but also compliant with all of Amazon’s Selling Policies. Having the ability to sell restricted products, categories, and brands on Amazon allows sellers to continue growing sales and business without having to limit the products they have to offer. This post will explore what restricted products, categories, and brands are, how you can apply to sell them, and how to prevent detail page violations.

What are Amazon Restricted Products, Categories, and Brands?

Amazon is working to ensure that products offered on their marketplace are not only safe but will not cause any damage to people or property. Restricted products, categories, and brands are a type of offering that must comply with any laws and regulations and require an application to sell on Amazon. No matter the type of goods you sell, each seller should review the Restricted Products Help pages to see if their products are considered restricted goods and must adhere to Amazon’s selling policies and regulation laws. Product compliance can vary from product, category, and brand type, so it is essential to not only identify if you have a restricted product but also what guidelines Amazon has in place to successfully list your products. Ensuring that your products, categories, and brands are compliant will help you avoid practices that can get your listings removed, or blocked, and your seller account barred from Amazon, which will lead to a more effective selling strategy.

How to Apply to Sell Restricted Products, Categories and Brands

While there are ways you can sell restricted products, categories, and brands on Amazon, there are a few extra steps you will need to take to apply and get approval to do so. First, make sure you are allowed to sell your product and that it is compliant with any laws and regulations. You should also confirm that the product is not prohibited from Amazon by checking any product compliance policies that apply to your product type. Next, you will want to confirm if any of the products you are looking to list need approval before you sell. To help make it easier for sellers, approval checks and applications have been built into the listing creation process. You can get approval to sell a product, category, or brand by submitting a selling application that may include performance checks, document requests, and other qualifications. The type of product you are trying to sell will determine the type of selling application you need to submit and the approval you will need to confirm. If you are approved to list a brand that is enrolled in brand registry, you are allowed to match the offers that are already on the brand's existing product detail pages. Creating and modifying product detail page privileges will remain with internal brand sellers, as well as any store and A+ content benefits. Once you have completed the selling application for your product, category, or brand, you will get a confirmation notice within 24 hours that your approval request is under Amazon’s review. You can locate the status of your selling application, by opening the main menu in Seller Central, clicking on catalog, and then clicking “view selling applications”. Once your selling application is approved, you can select “list products” to begin adding inventory to your products.

How to Prevent Detail Page Violations on Your Restricted Product

Once you have gotten approval to list your restricted product, you will want to check what guidelines Amazon has in place to list and merchandise your product. The guidelines for each product typically follow four core principles, which include covering one single item, being compliant with relevant style guides, not promoting false information, and making edits that are only made to improve or provide accuracy to the listing. If you do not follow the product and style guidelines and Amazon finds that you are in violation of their policies, you may receive an alert that your restricted products have been removed and can no longer be sold. This will not only impact your sales but also require you to get your product reinstated after receiving your notification of restricted product removal. Ensuring that your products follow all of Amazon’s listing guidelines will not only help you provide the most benefit to customers but also protect your listings and account from selling violations.

Frequently Asked Questions for Selling Restricted Products On Amazon

What are restricted products, categories, and brands?

Restricted products, categories, and brands are a type of offering that must comply with any laws and regulations and require an application to sell on Amazon.

How do I know if I am selling a restricted product, category, or brand?

Each seller should review the Restricted Products Help pages to see if their products are considered restricted goods and must adhere to Amazon’s selling policies and regulation laws.

How do I know if my product is prohibited to sell on Amazon?

You can confirm that your product is not prohibited from Amazon by checking any product compliance policies that may apply to your product type.

How do I get approval to sell my product, category, or brand?

You can get approval to sell a product, category, or brand by submitting a selling application that may include performance checks, document requests, and other qualifications. The type of product you are trying to sell will determine the type of selling application you need to submit and the approval you will need to confirm.

How should I list my restricted product, category, or brand?

Once you have gotten approval to list your restricted product, you will want to check what guidelines Amazon has in place to list and merchandise your product.

Conclusion

Having the ability to sell restricted products on Amazon helps sellers maximize their selling ability by not having to limit the products they offer, but also ensuring customers that the products they are purchasing are safe for customers. At Goat Consulting we continue to learn and understand how sellers can remain compliant with all of Amazon’s selling policies while also accomplishing their business goals. If you have any questions about selling restricted products and selling guidelines on Amazon, reach out through our Contact Us Form.

About the Author

This post was written by Matt McGinty, an Account Manager at Goat Consulting. Matt helps his clients sell on Amazon by increasing sales, mitigating risk, reducing costs, and solving problems. He has experience in product compliance and submitting restricted product selling applications for his Goat Consulting clients. If you want Matt to review your product compliance, or assist with other aspects of selling on Amazon, he is happy to lead your account.

Reinstate Amazon Listing from Product Condition Complaints

This post will explore how to reinstate Amazon listing from product condition complaints as a seller. Seller Central Account Health is one of the most important things that sellers need to monitor in order to be successful on Amazon. There are many factors considered in the account health rating including shipping performance, policy compliance, and customer service performance. Failure to comply with Amazon policies leads to a negative impact on the account health which can threaten selling eligibility. To prevent this, sellers need to ensure that all of their products are compliant with Amazon’s policies and that their customer service and shipping performance are up to standards. This article will focus on the policy compliance issues that may arise on the account health, specifically product condition customer complaints. This post will explain what these account health warnings are, the steps needed to reinstate listings, and how to prevent product condition complaints from occurring again in the future.

Understanding Amazon Account Health Violations: Product Condition Customer Complaints

Product Condition Customer Complaints can be found in the policy compliance section of the account health. These violations are caused by the condition of a product not being acceptable according to Amazon’s product condition guidelines. The unacceptable condition may relate to customers stating that the product was defective or they could also state that the condition of the product was not the same as what was stated. This can occur when a customer believes they are buying a brand new product but receive a product with open packaging that has already been used. To see the exact condition complaint, navigate to the account health page and select “Product Condition Customer Complaints” under the Policy Compliance section. On this page, you will be able to view the exact reason for the condition complaint and understand which ASINs are impacted.

More details about the condition complaint are provided in the customer complaint summary which can be viewed by selecting the dropdown arrow under the condition complaint reason. If the complaints are still not clear, you can navigate to the top of the page and select “Voice of the Customer.” This page will provide specific feedback from customers about each ASIN and provide more insights into the issues customers have had with their orders. If the condition complaint reason is still unclear, contact account health assurance or seller support to request more information.

Steps to Reinstate Amazon Listing from Product Condition Complaints

The first step to reinstate a deactivated listing caused by a product condition complaint is to understand the reason for the policy violation. Navigate to the account health and select “Product Condition Customer Complaints” to view the details about the listing violations. Read the customer complaint summary and review the Voice of the Customer feedback to ensure you understand which complaints triggered the violation.

Once you have reviewed the violation reason, determine what caused the issues the customers experienced. If complaints state that the product that was received was defective, check current inventory for quality control issues. It is expected that a unit will occasionally be defective but Amazon identifies a potential issue with a product once the defective return rate is above 1%. If a seller has products with high defective return rates they should evaluate their product to determine if any changes are needed such as more thorough product use instructions, more durable packaging, or product design improvements. If the customer complaints relate to the product condition being different than what was stated, the seller should check their FBA return settings to make sure that only brand new products are being used to fulfill orders.

After reviewing the violation reason and determining what caused the customer complaint issues, the seller should select “Submit Appeal” for each impacted ASIN. This will lead to a page that says, “How do I address this violation?” with two options to select from. If a seller believes that their product is compliant, they can select “I understand the policy and have evidence or documentation to submit for review to confirm my compliance with the policy.” The seller would then answer questions about the fulfillment method for this ASIN and the suspected cause of the error. The seller is only able to select from 4 potential reasons that the violation occurred in error and will need to submit evidence to support their reasoning. This form of appeal can be successful in some cases but is often rejected if support doesn’t find the evidence convincing. It is important to note that support is looking for a change made by the seller that will improve the customer experience with the product and reduce returns. For this reason, we recommend acknowledging the violation and submitting evidence to show the improvements you have made to the product. This evidence could be increased instructions and communication with customers, improved design or product material, a removal order to show defective units aren’t available for purchase, or other quality control measures. The key takeaway in writing an effective appeal is to acknowledge the issue and focus on what the seller can do to prevent further complaints for this product in the future.

The last step involves monitoring the account health page and the compliance appeal. The appeals are usually reviewed within 3 days. If the initial appeal is rejected, determine if other actions can be taken to reduce condition complaints and update the appeal before submitting again.

Tips to Prevent Amazon Product Condition Complaints

To prevent product condition customer complaints from coming up in the future, sellers should check their return settings to ensure that the correct options are selected. Sellers that take advantage of Amazon’s FBA liquidation settings should also ensure that this setting is not impacting the condition of the products that are used to fulfill orders.

Additionally, sellers can review customer feedback and return reasons. If there is a clear pattern in return reasons or negative reviews, sellers should update their product to reduce negative feedback. Sellers with products that are complicated or require more set up can increase communication with customers through email campaigns and improved product instructions.

Sellers should also perform quality checks to ensure that there aren’t any defects or issues with inventory. By updating return settings, reviewing customer feedback frequently, and performing quality control checks, sellers can reduce the chances of product condition customer complaints from occurring on the account health.

Frequently Asked Questions on how to Reinstate Amazon ASINs from Product Condition Complaints

What is a Product Condition Customer Complaint?

This is an Amazon policy and compliance violation that occurs when customers receive products in an unacceptable condition that is different from what is described on the detail page.

How do I reinstate a deactivated ASIN in seller central?

Review the issue that led to the deactivation and determine what changes are needed. ASINs can be deactivated for several reasons including production condition complaints, restricted product removals, intellectual property violations, and more, so it is important to determine the reason the ASIN was deactivated before taking action. Once the nature of the violation and its cause have been identified, follow the appeal process and take necessary action to be compliant with Amazon’s policies.

How do I improve my seller central account health?

There are many factors that impact the account health. To improve the account health rating, review any violations that appear on the account health and take action when necessary.

How long does the product condition complaint appeals process take?

The product condition complaint appeals are usually reviewed within 3 days.

Why was my ASIN deactivated?

Review the notification from Amazon that details the reason for the ASIN being deactivated. If the issue is still unclear, review the account health page and make sure there are no violations.

What are Amazon’s condition guidelines?

Amazon’s product condition guidelines details the definitions of each condition type that can be chosen when listing a product.

Can I submit a plan of action to remove a product condition complaint?

No, POAs (Plan of Action) are no longer accepted when appealing product condition customer complaints on the account health. Instead, follow the steps outlined above to remove the violation from the account health. 

Conclusion

Seller central account health is important for maintaining selling eligibility on Amazon and for monitoring customer feedback and performance. The Product Condition Customer Complaints can be frustrating for sellers to navigate, but by following the steps outlined above, sellers can successfully reinstate ASIN and avoid future violations. For help with policy violations or other account health issues, contact Goat Consulting.

About the Author - Stella Nelson

This post was written by Stella Nelson, an account manager at Goat Consulting. Stella helps her clients resolve compliance issues and maintain a high account health rating. She has experience with reinstating ASINs that have been removed due to product condition complaints and restricted product policy violations. Through diligent casework and problem-solving, Stella has been able to resolve account health issues and reduce the impact that these violations can have on sales. Stella has a degree in Marketing and Business Analytics from the University of Minnesota that she uses to implement data-based strategies for both advertising and merchandising on Amazon.

Amazon Children's Product Certificate CPC

This post will cover the compliance topic of the Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) for selling on Amazon. As a seller on Amazon, you have a responsibility to ensure the products you sell have the correct safety and quality certifications. Amazon customers need to feel confident the products they are purchasing are safe to use, especially products intended for children. Amazon requires sellers to keep up-to-date certifications on listings. If you do not keep the documents up to date, Amazon may remove your products from the Amazon store. This post will cover an overview of the Children’s Product Certificate, identifying requirements for Amazon listings, and how to upload CPC documents to Amazon. 

Children's Product Certificate CPC Overview

This section will define what the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) considers a children’s product, the components of a CPC, and an example CPC.

Children’s Product Defined

In the US, children’s products are defined as consumer products designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger. The government agency responsible for promoting safety in consumer products is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC regulates and is subject to a set of rules called children’s product safety rules. As an Amazon seller, you need to know if your product falls within the definition of a children’s product.

Children’s Product Certificate CPC Components

The Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) is a document that outlines important information about a product that certifies that a children’s product meets federal safety standards. Generally speaking, it is to ensure that the product does not pose any hazards to children. This test must be completed by a CPSC-accepted laboratory in English. The components of a CPC must include all of the following:

• Identification of the Product - The product must be defined in enough detail to match each product it covers. On CPC documents the ASIN takes precedence over all other product identifiers including SKU, UPC, or product name.

• Citation to each CPSC children’s product safety rule - Not every CPC will look the same, there are many types and categories of children’s products that each have individual rules that must be addressed in the certification. It is important before you start selling on Amazon that you understand what specific requirements you need to cover in your CPC testing process.

• Identification of the Importer or Domestic Manufacturer - Each CPC test needs at least the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the importer or manufacturer.

• Contact Information for Individual Who Maintains Compliance Records - Each CPC test needs at least the name, mailing address, and telephone number of that individual.

• Date and Location of Manufacturing - the dates must at least include the month and year. The location needs at least the city, state, and country where the product was manufactured or finally assembled.

• Dates and Locations When the Product Was Tested - similar to manufacturing, the dates must at least include the month and year. The location needs at least the city, state, and country where the product was tested.

• Identify any third party, CPSC-accepted Laboratory on Whose Testing the Certificate Depends: The CPC requires the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the laboratory. Registered small batch manufacturers who are not required to third-party-test their product to certain children’s product safety requirements must include the registration number provided by the CPSC in this section of the CPC.

Amazon will reject the document if all areas are not covered in the document, so ensure you review your documentation in detail before submitting it.

Example CPC

The CPSC provides an example of what a business would include on its product’s CPC. Your product CPC will likely look different as it is important to review each Citation to each CPSC children’s product safety rule called out in section 2. Here is an example of the components for educational purposes:

• Identification of the product covered by this certificate: Baby body suit Model XXX SKU XXX (ASIN: XXXXXXXX)

• Citation to each CPSC product safety regulation to which this product is being certified: This section is where you list each citation that needs to be addressed.

• Identification of the importer or domestic manufacturer certifying compliance of the product: Baby Screenprinters 123 Goat St., Minneapolis, MN 55416 (555) 555-5555

• Contact information for the individual maintaining records of test results: John Smith, Owner 123 Goat St., Minneapolis, MN 55416 (555) 555-5555

• Date and place where this product was manufactured: February 2023, Minneapolis, MN 55416

• Date and place where this product was tested for compliance with the regulation(s) cited above: February 2023, Minneapolis, MN 55416

• Identify the third party, CPSC-accepted where this product was tested by an accredited laboratory (accepted by the CPSC) for compliance with the regulation(s) cited above: ABC Farm Quality Labs - 321 North Street Minneapolis, MN 55416 (333) 333-3333 (this assumes there was only 1 lab)

Again, this is just an example of a fictitious CPC test to outline what the components of a test would include. The important missing component is section 2 which would include each of the specific CPSC product safety components that is different for each product and category. Now that you understand the components of a children’s product certificate (CPC), the next section is to identify if your product requires CPC testing.

Identifying CPC Requirement for Amazon Listing

As a seller of the product, it is your responsibility to know the testing and certification requirements of your product. You should get the CPC prior to selling on Amazon, but there are a few indications from Amazon that you have a compliance document you need to fulfill.  

Product Listing Down Amazon Page Not Found for CPC

If your product listing is down or it is showing the Amazon page not found dogs of Amazon page, that is an indication that there is a compliance issue. This would also be paired with an Amazon Notification of Restricted Products Removal, indicating your listing has been removed from the Amazon Store. Within your seller central page, this would show up as “No image available” for impacted items in your Manage Inventory. An Amazon Page Not Found listing does not necessarily mean you need a CPC requirement, as it could be for other compliance issues.

Seller Central Manage Your Compliance

For Amazon third-party sellers on Seller Central, the Manage Your Compliance dashboard lists your required documents. This can be navigated within Seller Central by clicking the menu > Performance > Account Health. On the bottom right of the Account Health Page, you will see “Manage your compliance” with a link “Product Compliance Requests” and the total number of ASINs that require a compliance document is displayed. On the Manage Your Compliance page you will see the list of impacted ASINs, the specific compliance requirement, estimated at-risk sales, the compliance status, and the action button to submit a document or appeal the compliance requirement.

Vendor Central Compliance Document Requirements

For 1st-Party Vendor Central sellers, compliance document notifications are handled through the Compliance Document Requirements page. This can be navigated to on Vendor Central by clicking Items > Product Certificates. This page is split up between pending actions for vendors (indicating ASINs that need documents submitted, rejected documents, expired documents, and expiring soon documents) and a summary of active compliance documents. Vendors can see CPC-required ASINs if the document type states: “Product images, product instructions or manuals, Children's Product Certificate, and test reports from a CPSC-accepted lab”.

Children’s Product Certificate Testing

This section will review the process for getting your product tested by a CPSC-accepted testing lab. Once you have established your testing requirements, you can visit the List of CPSC-Accepted Testing Laboratories to find a lab that fits your testing needs and requirements. Amazon offers the Compliance Reference tool to assist sellers in understanding certain requirements of products based on categories. Simply, input where you want to sell your product and search by product type or HS Code in order to dig into product compliance, dangerous goods information, and import/export compliance requirements. Amazon shares a list of potential service provider contact information with a feedback rating system for you to engage directly. Each service provider will have directions for how to ship your products and the documentation required.

Upload CPC to Amazon

Once you have the CPC for the product that requires certification, you need to upload the documents to Amazon. 

Upload CPC to Seller Central

Uploading Children’s Product Certificate to Seller Central requires you to navigate back to the Manage Your Compliance page to upload:

1. In Seller Central, click Menu > Performance > Account Health

2. Click on the Product Compliance Requests link

3. Identify the ASIN that requires the CPC, click Add or Appeal Compliance

4. Provide all of the required information generally including: Product Images, CPC, Test Reports, Additional Comments

5. For Bulk Submission, Navigate to Upload file for Compliance

6. Download the Template that contains all ASINs with active requests for compliance documentation

7. Fill out the form

8. Upload compliance documents and your completed template

9. Wait for Amazon to review the documents to approve

Upload CPC to Vendor Central

For Vendors, the Product Certificates page is the location to upload CPC. Here are the steps to upload the documents:

1. In Vendor Central, Click Items > Product Certificates

2. If this is a new requirement, click the Compliance Documents Not Yet Submitted View Button

3. Identify the ASIN that requires the CPC, click Add

4. Click Choose Files and upload all of the required documents requested

5. Wait for Amazon to review the documents or view the status under the Pending Processing page

Once Amazon has reviewed and approved the documents, it is important to check your listing on the Amazon store to ensure that it has been reinstated and has an active offer.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) on Amazon

What is CPC?

The CPC (Children’s Product Certificate) is a document that outlines important information about a product that certifies that a children’s product meets federal safety standards

What products require CPC documents?

Products that are intended for or marketed toward children 12 years of age or younger. It applies to everything sold to this entire age group and it could be toys, furniture, clothes, strollers, lunch bags, and more. Reach out to an expert or the CPSC for guidance on your specific requirements.

How do I know if I need CPC for Amazon?

Every product is different, but if your product is a child’s product as defined by the CPSC, then you need CPC documentation. 

How can I get my product tested by a CPSC-accepted testing lab?

You can get your products tested by visiting the list of CPSC-Accepted Testing Laboratories list or the Amazon compliance reference tool.

How do I reinstate my ASIN with the CPC requirement on Seller Central?

To reinstate your ASIN with CPC requirement on Seller Central, navigate to the Product Compliance Requests link, Identify the ASIN that requires the CPC, click Add or Appeal Compliance, upload the required information, and then wait for Amazon to review the documents to approve.

How do I reinstate my ASIN with the CPC requirement on Vendor Central?

You can reinstate your ASIN with CPC requirement on Vendor Central by getting your CPC, navigating to Product Certificates on Vendor Central, adding all requested documents, and waiting for Amazon to review and accept the documents.

Conclusion

Ensuring that your products are safe and have the correct certifications and documentation is crucial to your success on Amazon. If your product listing goes down from a failure to have the correct Children’s Product Certification and testing, then you are missing out on sales. You can build trust with your customers on Amazon by ensuring you are complying with applicable rules and laws that were meant to protect those customers. Each product can look a little different when it comes to CPC requirements, so we recommend you reach out to CPC/CPSC experts if you have any questions about certification requirements for your products. If you are struggling with how the Amazon system works to ensure you have those documents submitted, Goat Consulting is happy to help you understand how to upload those documents and reinstate your Amazon listings. Click the Contact Us button below to start that conversation:

About the Author - Mike Gray

This post was written by Mike Gray. Mike is an Account Manager at Goat Consulting who helps brands and manufacturers sell on Amazon. Mike has extensive experience reviewing and uploading CPC documents for clients. This has helped clients mitigate risk on the Amazon platform and build trust between clients and Amazon customers. 

Additional Resources

• Amazon Compliance

• Amazon Page Not Found  

• Notification of Restricted Products Removal

• Amazon Help Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) 

• Compliance Reference  

• Product Compliance

• CPSC/CPC

• Category Specific  

• Best Practices in Design  

• List of CPSC-Accepted Testing Laboratories 

• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulated products 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

Amazon disclaimer for the Manage Your Compliance tool - If you supply products for sale on Amazon, you must comply with all applicable laws and Amazon policies for each of those products and product listings. The information on this page is provided as an informational resource only and the user is ultimately responsible for confirming the accuracy of the information before submission. If you choose to retain a service provider, you will be contracting directly with them and they will be providing services to you at your direction. Amazon does not endorse any service provider or its services nor does Amazon accept any liability or responsibility for services by service providers.