Overview

Amazon's Compact by Design is a sustainability certification that highlights products with more efficient packaging and design. The program identifies items that may look similar to competitors but use less packaging, weigh less, or ship more efficiently — all of which contribute to reduced carbon emissions at scale. For Amazon sellers, earning this badge can boost product visibility and appeal to the growing segment of eco-conscious shoppers.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• No application or fees required — Amazon automatically evaluates products using existing catalog attributes, so there is no manual application process and no cost to participate.
• Brand Registry is mandatory — Your brand must be enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry before your products can qualify for the certification.
• Category eligibility matters — Only products in specific qualifying categories are considered for the Compact by Design badge.
• Fulfillment center measurements are used — Amazon verifies seller-provided weight and dimensions using representative samples measured at its own fulfillment centers, so at least one physical measurement must exist for your product.
• Unit efficiency determines qualification — Amazon calculates a unit efficiency score for each product and compares it against a category-specific threshold. Products scoring below the threshold earn the badge.

How Unit Efficiency Works

Amazon uses a formula that factors in item package dimensions, item weight, and the number of "customer uses" a product delivers. A "customer use" is a standardized unit of measure that varies by product type. For example, shampoo uses are measured by fluid ounces, while laundry detergent uses are counted in wash loads. The "use" unit typically corresponds to the "unit count" field in your product catalog. Amazon normalizes all dimension attributes across a category to inches and pounds, then runs them through its unit efficiency equation. Each product's resulting score is compared to the category threshold, and those falling below the threshold earn the Compact by Design certification.

Special Handling for Concentrated Products