Amazon may sometimes remove or suspend a product listing if they suspect that the product is not correctly labeled or for other reasons non-compliant. Amazon may then require the seller to provide the following information:
- Product label photos and/or documents
- Certificate of Compliance
The Certificate of Compliance is often what confuses Amazon sellers, so we decided to do some research and explain why you need this document, and how to obtain it.
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What is a Certificate of Compliance?
A Certificate of Compliance is essentially a document issued by a third party, stating that the product is correctly labeled. These documents are often provided by compliance consultants or law firms, which review your product label and “certifies” that the product is correctly labeled.
Here are some things they take into consideration when checking your product labels:
- Compliance marks (e.g. CE mark)
- Label text (e.g. Nutrition information, weight, and ingredients)
- Warning labels
- Label dimensions
- Label placement
- Packaging label
That said, this assumes that the product and packaging are correctly labeled in the first place. I suggest that you start by reading these guides if you’re new to product labeling:
- United States Product Labeling Requirements
- European Union Product Labeling Requirements
- Product Labeling Requirements in Australia
Why does Amazon require Certificates of Compliance?
Amazon needs to ensure that products sold on its marketplace are correctly labeled. It would be expensive for Amazon to do all product label reviews in-house – which is why they require a third-party issued document.
We have also received reports that Amazon requires the certificate of compliance to cover other compliance documents, such as test reports and declaration of conformity.
Which products require a Certificate of Compliance?
We have not seen a definitive list of products for which Amazon requires a Certificate of Compliance. That said, we’ve received reports from our readers involving the following products and categories:
- Electronics
- Oils
- Food products
- Cosmetics
How do I get a Certificate of Compliance?
You can only obtain a Certificate of Compliance from a third-party organization. Here are some organizations offering such review services:
They normally provide a PDF certificate that you can then submit to Amazon.
Can I get a Certificate of Compliance from the supplier?
No, you should not expect your supplier to provide you with a Certificate of Compliance. First, it’s unlikely that Amazon would even accept a Certificate of Compliance issued by a manufacturer. Second, most manufacturers in Asia are simply not aware of labeling requirements in the US, EU, or Australia.
Instead, they expect their customers to provide ready-made and compliant label files. Manufacturers are simply not qualified to issue these documents – even in case Amazon would accept them.
How much does it cost?
Some companies charge between 50 USD to 100 USD per label review. As such, the total cost depends on the number of products you’re selling on Amazon.
hi Fredrik,
I need a EC Certificate of Conformity for a board game aimed at teenagers and adults for Amazon UK.. The game is just a board, question cards and dice. It has the CE mark and was manufactured by a company in Hong Kong. can you recommend a UK firm who can help me.
Many thanks, Jessica
Hi Jessica,
Well in that case you will need to contact a Notified Body. My guess is that the CE marking is based on the Toy Safety Directive in this case (if not you need to clarify).
You can find notified bodies here:
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=directive.pdf&refe_cd=2009%2F48%2FEC&requesttimeout=900
I am not sure if the EU accepts notified bodies in the UK though.
Hello Fedrick, I am trying to sell jewellery on Amazon and I have received notification from amazon stating the following:
REACH compliance: Heavy metals in articles
Declaration of REACH Conformity OR REACH heavy metals test reports
Please can you shed some light how I can go about resolving the issue. The supplier confirms it meats all requirements but unable to provide anything. Thankyou.
Hello and thank you for this Helpful Information.
I am in need of a list of a few companies that can issue a COC for pet supplements, for my US amazon products qualifications, can you please provide a few other companies that offer the Label COC in the US? ( the first link to Food Label cheack is not safe and its US based, I need a USA based company)
Thank you!
Once you receive the product compliance certification, what is the process for Amazon to know that we have the proper certification?
Hi Carlo,
They can either require submission when listing a new product or request compliance documents after a product has been listed.
Hi Dan,
I sell silver jewellery on Amazon for 5+ years and today they have changed the status of my inventory to “Detail Page Missing”, and are asking for a “Letter of Compliance”.
I am trademarked in the UK / EU and am also the manufacturer of jewellery I sell on Amazon, hence I don’t have any supplier.
Can you please help with the template of the letter of compliance, not sure what information is required. I have been struggling to close this for a month now
Hi Manjari,
I need to know what exactly they want. Did they give you any other details?
Hello. I need the COC and CPSC for an ASIN. Do you provide the service?
Hi Jenn,
CPSC? Are you referring to a CPC perhaps?
Hi Fredrik
Will You Please Suggest any Third Party in UK who can give us Certificate of Compliance for a food Product Label.
Kind Regards
Mukesh
Hi Mukesh,
What exactly did Amazon ask you to provide?
Hoping you can help me. I sell
Xmas nesting dolls. They are not toys and I state this on the boxes, according to the uk government website an item which is a decorative seasonal item, is not classed as a toy. Unfortunately Amazon keep
Saying it’s a toy and they are asking me for compliance document. I only sell in the uk. I don’t know who to go to? Can you help.
Hi Charis,
If Amazon classifies this product type as a toy then I don’t think there’s any way around it.
Keep in mind that the importer/manufacturer cannot decide what is a toy or not entirely on their own. There are definitions.
Which documents are they asking for? EN 71 test reports and DoC?
Hi,
I found your website is helpful to sort out my issue. I have Amazon product that need to get approval for certificate of compliance (COC) and requesting for CPSC documentation. My product is Car seat cover with Pregnancy seat belt adjuster. As supplier is constantly saying product is just seat cover so have not done test report. Hence I cannot get these documentation from the supplier. How and what you recommend for this situation.
Very much appreciated for your advice.
Thanks
Cheers
Dan
Hello Dan,
First of all, don’t take advice from your supplier. They have no clue, and they will not compensate you in case you face a product recall.
You could start by contacting the CPSC small business ombudsman and then a testing company like QIMA or TUV.
Hi Dan,
I’m trying to list a similar product but my ASIN got removed because Amazon thinks it’s a restricted item although it’s not listed as a restricted product.
Have you had any success yet? I desperately need advice.
Thanks
Albert