Overview

Amazon enforces strict product compliance standards to ensure that every item sold on its marketplace is safe for consumers and meets all applicable laws and regulations. For sellers, understanding these compliance requirements is essential — failing to meet them can result in suppressed listings, blocked products, or even account suspension. This reference covers the core compliance obligations, certification requirements, category restrictions, and the importance of using approved validation labs.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• All products must comply with applicable laws and Amazon policies — Your seller agreement requires that every item you list meets both regulatory requirements and Amazon's own marketplace policies. Ignorance of a rule is not a valid defense if enforcement action is taken.
• Recalled products are strictly prohibited — Any product that has been recalled by its manufacturer or by a government agency (domestic or international) cannot be sold on Amazon. Amazon reserves the right to act on recalls issued by foreign government bodies as well.
• Certain product categories require pre-approval — Some product types must meet specified certification standards before they can be listed. Sellers need to review all requirements and follow the application instructions on the relevant product page.
• Validation lab documentation must come from approved providers — Amazon has suspended certain third-party labs whose documentation no longer meets its standards for authenticity and reliability. Submitting compliance documents from a suspended lab can lead to product suppression.
• Compliance documentation must be valid and current — Sellers bear the responsibility of demonstrating that their products meet all regulatory and policy requirements through proper documentation.

How Product Compliance Works on Amazon

Amazon's product compliance framework is built around a simple principle: every product must be safe, legal, and accurately represented. When you list an item, you are affirming that it meets all relevant safety standards, labeling requirements, and regulatory mandates for the markets where it will be sold. Amazon continuously monitors listings and may request compliance documentation at any time. If you cannot provide valid proof that your product meets the required standards, your listing may be suppressed or removed, and repeated violations can escalate to account-level enforcement. Proactive compliance — understanding what is required before you list — is far less costly than reacting to enforcement actions after the fact.