Overview

Amazon is tightening the launch process for products that fall under regulated categories. Effective September 30 2024, sellers must upload and receive approval for all mandatory compliance documents before a new listing can appear to shoppers. The change directly affects launch timelines for items such as electronics, toys, dietary supplements, cosmetics and any child‑focused merchandise, making pre‑launch paperwork a critical path step.

Key Points

• Pre‑launch approval required — Listings that need compliance paperwork will stay hidden until Amazon’s compliance team signs off; a new Bluetooth speaker without an approved FCC report will remain in “pending” status.
• Only brand‑new ASINs are impacted — Existing active listings keep their current visibility, so a 2022‑listed baby stroller with an approved safety certificate continues to sell unchanged.
• Document types stay the same — Sellers still submit the same test reports, certificates of conformity, safety data sheets, etc.; the policy only shifts the timing of when those files must be cleared.
• Holding state replaces parallel launch — Previously, a seller could publish a product page while the compliance review ran in the background; now the page stays in a locked state until clearance.
• Amazon may request follow‑up files — Even after a listing goes live, the platform can ask for additional evidence, meaning compliance is an ongoing responsibility.

How the Submission Process Works

1. Access the Manage Your Compliance dashboard — Log in to Seller Central and open the compliance hub; for example, a seller of children’s puzzles would navigate to the “Compliance” tab to begin the upload.
2. Upload required documents — Attach the specific files Amazon mandates for the product category, such as a CE mark test report for a European‑market electronic toy; each file must be in PDF or JPG format and clearly labeled.
3. Submit for review — Click “Submit for Approval,” which places the new ASIN in a pending state; the same Bluetooth speaker mentioned earlier will now sit in the queue awaiting verification.