Avoid these mistakes with your product compliance on Amazon: Certificates, GPSR and real practical tips for FBA sellers

Product conformity - for many Amazon retailers, this word sounds cumbersome, perhaps even a little annoying. But anyone who has experienced how a successful product suddenly disappears from the Amazon catalog immediately understands how serious it gets when legal rules are not right. Whether you're just starting out or already an old hand, product compliance has a direct impact on sales, rankings and the long-term success of your brand.

Good product photos, strong listings and clever advertising are only half the battle. The right conformity of your goods remains the invisible backbone for sustainable sales success. What really counts: If you do your homework sloppily here, you risk a lot - often the complete loss of a well-performing product.

The fact that the hurdles are high and the regulations sometimes appear opaque is due to the numerous EU directives and German diligence. But with the right support, everything remains feasible. In this article, we get in-depth knowledge directly from Moritz, founder of Conformy and an experienced Amazon retailer himself, who knows first-hand how compliance works - and where most mistakes occur.

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Why product compliance is essential for Amazon retailers

Product compliance is not an optional extra - it ensures that your offer remains safe, legally compliant and on the market for the long term. Amazon now checks much more closely whether retailers comply with all requirements. Few things are more frustrating than top sellers being banned because of a misplaced label or missing documentation.

These are the most important reasons why you should take the issue seriously:

• Long-term success: Only compliant products remain online in the long term and sell steadily.
• Protection from warnings: Incorrect labeling or missing evidence can have expensive consequences.
• Avoiding loss of sales: Amazon can deactivate products immediately without valid documentation.

Moritz from Conformy has already learned the hard way and now helps retailers like you to avoid mistakes when it comes to certificates and labeling. Together with his team, he supports sellers from purchasing to listing, regardless of whether you produce in China, Turkey or Europe.

Who or what is Conformy? Your partner for product conformity

Conformy is a specialized compliance agency that steps in exactly where traditional sourcing agencies and manufacturers leave off. The goal: to offer retailers a clear roadmap through the jungle of laws, test reports and labeling.

This is what Conformy offers:

• Individual advice: from the initial consultation to a detailed analysis of your product and customized requirement lists
• Specialist for Amazon & online retail: No matter where you produce - the team knows the requirements for the German and European market
• Support from A to Z: you check existing certificates, obtain offers from laboratories and take care of the entire process

Moritz reports from his own experience how sourcing agencies and laboratories often promise to have "everything under control". But it was only when his product had to be recalled due to a faulty CE mark that he realized how expensive blind trust really is. The solution: establish your own honest compliance consultancy to prevent other retailers from making exactly these mistakes.

Anyone who needs support can find detailed information and direct contact details on the official Conformy website.

Common mistakes in product compliance - and how to avoid them

Many typical mistakes are not made maliciously, but due to uncertainty or misunderstandings. Here are the biggest stumbling blocks from practice:

Mistake no. 1: Incorrect or missing product labeling

Mandatory information on the product and packaging:

1. Manufacturer's details: Your full business address must always be on the product or packaging.
2. E-mail address: From 13.12.2024, a contact address (e-mail) is mandatory so that authorities or customers can reach you quickly.
3. CE marking: Only for products for which it is actually required by law - but then visibly and correctly positioned.

Incomplete information seems harmless, but in the worst case it can lead to immediate blocking. Amazon is already checking this information more closely, especially in Seller Central.

Important keywords for your packaging:

• Company name and full address
• Product name
• Contact e-mail (mandatory from December 2024)
• Markings such as CE, if prescribed

If you work cleanly here, you lay the foundation for confident selling.

Mistake no. 2: Blind trust in manufacturer certificates

Many retailers rely on assurances from China or sourcing agencies: "All certificates are available, no worries!" However, some of these documents are outdated, forged or issued for completely different products.

Common risks:

• Falsified or manipulated test reports
• Certificates from non-recognized laboratories
• Tests that don't fit your product at all

How to check certificates correctly:

• Request the complete test reports in the original (no seal, no glossy certificate).
• Contact the specified laboratory yourself and check the authenticity of the tests.
• Check whether the test report assesses the correct product at all (compare model numbers, images, data).

Moritz describes from his own experience how a supposedly accredited laboratory issued falsified test reports. The result: returns, stress with the authorities and a lot of costs.

Moritz quote:
"We thought everything was clear until the regional council stopped the goods. It was only then that we noticed that the CE mark was incorrectly affixed - and that the laboratory was not recognized at all."

Mistake no. 3: Confusion with certificates - what actually counts as proof?

Many sellers wait in vain for a ceremonial certificate when they ask for certificates. But you usually get a detailed test report, not a certificate like a diploma.

Contents of a test report (example):

• List of all tested substances and parameters (e.g. chemicals, pollutants)
• Specification of the limit values
• Result (pass/fail)
• Details of the test method
• Name, address and accreditation of the laboratory
• Signature and date

Only if the test report is issued for your product and bears the "Pass" mark are you really on the safe side.

Other typical mistakes and mindset tips

Many sellers want perfectionism, but this is often neither necessary nor economical. Authorities and Amazon also expect you to work cleanly, but not to go overboard.

• Don't be afraid of compliance! Those who understand why there are rules make fewer mistakes.
• Stick to the 80/20 principle: concentrate on the most important regulations and high-risk products in your niche.
• Renew tests regularly: Especially in regulated areas such as baby products or electronics, you should obtain new reports every two years.
• Testing each product batch individually is not economical, but basic spot checks should be a matter of course.

This will change with the new GPSR regulation from December 2024

The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) will be mandatory for almost all products in the EU retail sector from 13.12.2024. Amazon retailers and online stores are particularly affected.

What is the GPSR regulation?

The GPSR replaces and tightens the previous Product Safety Directive. New on the list: from the end of the year, almost every consumer product must be

• In addition to the business address, an e-mail address must be clearly recognizable on the product or on the packaging,
• The respective CE mark must also be printed on the product if required for the product group,
• the name of the importer or distributor, if you are not the manufacturer.

New requirements for risk analysis

Unlike in the past, an explicit risk analysis is required. What does this mean for you?

• The analysis must show what possible risks your product could pose (e.g. harmful substances, small parts, risk of electric shock).
• The scope depends heavily on the product group. A power bank needs more documentation than a towel.
• Important: Always document which arguments and evidence you have used.

What needs to happen at Seller Central?

• In Seller Central, you must specify who the manufacturer, importer or authorized representative is. If you are based within the EU, your own address is sufficient.
• Retailers outside the EU (e.g. Switzerland, UK) require an EU authorized representative who assumes responsibility and can be contacted in the event of queries.
• Amazon requires the upload of product-related safety information, warnings and receipts.

Act now before Q4 and the Christmas season start!

Consequences of non-compliance

Failure to do so can have serious consequences:

• Amazon deactivates your offers without warning
• Threat of official proceedings, fines or recalls
• Your entire stock can be blocked

Your checklist for the GPSR regulation:

• Add an e-mail address to the packaging in addition to the address
• Perform and document risk analysis for each product category
• Store changes and documents in Seller Central
• For non-European registered office: specify EU authorized representative

You can find more information and support at Conformy.

How Conformy helps Amazon retailers with product safety

Step 1: Analysis and requirements list

• Joint review of your product
• Creation of a detailed list with all legally required tests, labeling, packaging information and documents

Step 2: Check your existing documents

• Check whether existing certificates or test reports really fit and are genuine
• Decision: What can continue to be used, what needs to be redone?

Step 3: Laboratory selection and offers

• Contact to accredited testing laboratories (worldwide)
• Obtaining and comparing offers
• Recommendation of the best solution for you

Step 4: All-round support

• Handling all communication with laboratories and authorities
• Monitoring of all deadlines and relevant documents
• Ongoing update on every step directly to you

Step 5: Contact us and request a test plan

• Send a request directly to Conformy using the test plan form
• After registering, you will receive an e-mail with an entry form for your product (target market, product data, category, BOM)
• You will usually receive the request list within 3 to 7 working days

Conclusion: You get complete transparency, save time and can concentrate again on what really generates sales.

To-dos and recommendations for Amazon retailers now

Every product category, every new law and every Amazon support case shows that compliance remains a matter for the boss and not an issue to be muddled through!

You should tackle this right now:

• Check each product for correct labeling and complete documentation.
• Complete the e-mail address on the packaging and product by December 2024 at the latest.
• Upload your manufacturer and contact details to Seller Central in good time.
• Have existing test reports updated at least every two years.
• Consult independent experts such as Conformy for support if there are any uncertainties.
• See compliance as an ongoing process, not a one-off action.

With these steps, you are optimally prepared to sell your products on Amazon securely and permanently - and sleep much more soundly at night.

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