Amazon Seller INFORM Act Annual Certification
Amazon now mandates every U.S. marketplace seller to finish an annual INFORM Act certification within a 30‑day window after the dashboard alert (e.g., alert on April 2 must be completed by May 1). The workflow requires uploading safety test reports, MSDS, and labeling files for every SKU, with each file limited to 10 MB in PDF, JPEG, or CSV format. Missing the deadline can trigger listing suppression, payment holds, or a 15‑day suspension.
Overview
Amazon now requires every U.S. marketplace seller to finish an annual INFORM Act certification directly in Seller Central. The prompt appears as a dashboard alert and gives sellers roughly a month to verify that each of their listings complies with U.S. safety and labeling rules. Missing the cutoff can lead to listing removal, payment delays, or a temporary suspension, making the certification a non‑negotiable compliance milestone.
Key Points
- 30‑day window — After the alert shows up, sellers generally have a 30‑day period to submit the required information; for example, a notice received on April 2 must be completed by May 1.
- All SKUs included — The certification applies to every product ID sold in the United States, from electronics to children’s toys; a vendor with 1,200 distinct SKUs must address each category, not only the high‑risk items.
- Document bundle — Sellers must provide safety test reports, material‑safety data sheets (MSDS), and labeling compliance files; a company selling silicone baby bottles would attach the latest CPSIA certification for that product line.
- Self‑attestation questionnaire — The workflow presents a series of yes/no questions about testing, recall history, and hazardous‑material handling; selecting “yes” to a recall‑related query automatically triggers a deeper review by Amazon’s compliance team.
- Consequences of non‑completion — Failure to certify within the allotted time can cause listing suppression, holds on disbursements, or a short‑term account suspension; a seller who missed the deadline in Q2 2023 experienced a 15‑day suspension and delayed payouts.
- New‑listing block — Amazon prevents the creation of fresh ASINs for accounts that have not finished the certification, meaning a brand planning a July seasonal launch must first clear the compliance hurdle.
How the INFORM Act Certification Works
- Alert appears — A banner on the Seller Central homepage announces “Annual INFORM Act Certification Required.” For instance, a home‑goods retailer sees the notice on March 12 and clicks the embedded link to start.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Sellers have only 30 days to certify all 1,200+ SKUs or risk listing removal and delayed payouts. Non‑completion can lead to a 15‑day suspension and blocks creation of new ASINs, directly impacting cash flow and brand visibility.
Key Takeaways
- 30‑day certification window: alert on April 2 requires completion by May 1.
- Applies to every product ID; a seller with 1,200 SKUs must certify each line.
- Required uploads: safety test reports, MSDS, labeling files; max 10 MB per file, PDF/JPEG/CSV only.
- Failure can cause listing suppression, disbursement holds, up to a 15‑day suspension, and blocks new ASIN creation.
Recommended Actions
- →When the alert appears, navigate to Seller Central > Compliance & Safety > Annual INFORM Act Certification and start the workflow.
- →Collect all safety test reports, MSDS, and labeling PDFs for every SKU and upload them (≤10 MB each) in the certification portal.
- →Assign a Compliance Manager in Seller Central > Settings > User Permissions to receive alerts and ensure submission before the 30‑day deadline.
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