Remember When I Warned You About Amazon’s Stricter Rules?
Recently, Amazon tightened its compliance for dietary supplements due to an FDA warning. This change could impact your business significantly, especially if you sell supplements on Amazon.
Here’s What You Need to Know
Amazon has singled out dietary supplements in three specific categories for rigorous third-party testing:
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Sexual enhancement
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Weight management
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Sports nutrition and bodybuilding
1. Sexual Enhancement
This category includes supplements that claim to improve sexual performance, libido, or stamina. These products are often scrutinized for containing unapproved or harmful ingredients. If your product descriptions mention anything related to sexual enhancement, Amazon will require third-party testing to verify the safety and legitimacy of your claims. This applies even if your supplement is not primarily intended for sexual enhancement but includes related keywords or benefits in its marketing.
2. Weight Management
Supplements that claim to help with weight loss, appetite suppression, or fat burning fall under this category. Due to potential health risks and the popularity of these products, Amazon enforces stringent testing requirements to ensure compliance with safety standards. If your product mentions weight management, even in passing, you may be required to undergo costly third-party testing to prove the validity and safety of your claims.
3. Sports Nutrition and Bodybuilding
Products designed for muscle growth, enhanced athletic performance, or faster recovery are included in this category. These supplements often attract attention due to the potential for containing banned substances or unsafe ingredients. Any mention of sports nutrition or bodybuilding in your product descriptions can trigger Amazon’s compliance protocols, leading to mandatory third-party testing. This applies even if your supplement is intended for general health but includes benefits related to sports or bodybuilding.
If your product descriptions or claims mention any of these benefits, you might face extra compliance costs. Even if your supplements aren’t designed for these purposes, the mention alone can trigger the need for testing.
The Cost of Compliance
Amazon now requires retesting of products, even if they’ve already been verified outside the new flow. Previously, testing with a third-party lab cost between $300 to $1,000. Now, with Amazon’s requirement to use approved TIC organizations, the cost has increased dramatically, often fourfold.
How to Avoid Unnecessary Costs
Appeal the Misclassification
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Review Your Product Descriptions: Remove any information or keywords that might wrongly categorize your products under the targeted categories.
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Appeal to the Compliance Team: Once you’ve updated your product information, appeal the classification to Amazon’s compliance team.
By doing this, you can avoid paying for unnecessary tests and prevent your listings from being wrongly categorized. This approach saves you money and keeps your business running smoothly.
Summary
Selling supplements on Amazon can be challenging due to their stringent compliance requirements. However, by ensuring your product information is accurate and appealing misclassifications, you can save a significant amount of money and hassle. Stay vigilant and proactive to keep your business on track.
