New Documentation for Supplements Required to Avoid Listing Removal

As more and more questionable food supplements come onto the market with claims that they can support weight loss, improve memory and attention span, or enhance sexual performance, Amazon further reins in the supplements niche. As if automatic listing suspensions when you use mysterious restricted terms weren’t bad enough, get ready to submit to more rigorous compliance.

In late September 2021, Amazon began requesting that sellers in the UK and EU who list certain high-risk food supplements submit compliance and safety documentation for products that fall within these sub-categories. Primary focus seems to be within the sexual enhancement and weight loss segments but, in true Amazon fashion, we do not have a complete list of those under fire so all sellers in food supplements should be prepared and should also skim their listings for anything that might push them unnecessarily into being flagged for those categories.

It has always been the case that products sold on Amazon’s platform must comply with national and international laws and its own policies for compliance and safety. But it seems Amazon is increasing the regulation, verification and enforcement of these products. This could be a good thing for some sellers in that it could help to thin the competition and make it more difficult for bad actors to enter the space. On the other hand, we can be certain that some good sellers will fall within the crosshairs and suffer from these updated policies.

Amazon’s new legislation dictates that sellers who wish to continue trading these kinds of supplements will now need to provide documentation that they have been manufactured according to national healthcare standards, which differ from county to country. To find out more about which requirements are necessary for each county, Amazon suggests reading these guidelines. In addition, you can visit Seller Central and Vendor Central to view the compliance status of listings and to upload new documentation.

While these policy changes only affect sellers of food supplements in certain categories, Amazon has reminded all sellers of food supplements and grocery category products to ensure that their listings comply with its latest food and food supplement regulations.

Amazon will provide sellers with a 60-day grace period to get up to speed with the new rules, but any food supplements product listings that fall into the high-risk categories that are not accompanied with the required documentation are subject to removal as early as November 2021. Supplements usually tend to have a big boost in January due to New Year’s Resolutions so make sure you are prepared to avoid such disasters.