New Amazon Requirements for Dietary Supplements
If you sell your dietary supplements on Amazon, you are most likely aware of Amazon’s strict policies and restrictions that surround dietary supplements. In 2021, Amazon is actively rolling out a new set of specific requirements surrounding dietary supplements. Here is a quick guide on how to stay in compliance with the new Amazon requirements.
Required Documentation
According to Amazon “Seller Central,” for each dietary supplement product, you must submit at least one of the following items:
- A Certificate of Analysis issued by a laboratory that possesses an ISO 17025 accreditation.
- A Certificate of Analysis issued by an in-house laboratory that is compliant with the current good manufacturing practices (cGMP). This GMP certificate must be backed up by any of the third-party programs on the Amazon website: NSF (NSF/ANSI 173 Section 8), GRMA (GRMA 455-2), UL GMP, USP GMP, Eurofins, SAI Global, SGS, Intertek, TGA, and SSCI. Paragon Laboratories qualifies as an in-house laboratory due to our UL GMP and NSF certifications.
- Evidence of product enrollment in a third-party quality certification program. The list of acceptable third-party certification programs is available on the Amazon website: NSF/ANSI 173 Product Certification, NSF Certified for Sport®, BSCG Certified Drug Free®, Informed-Choice/Informed-Sport Program, USP Dietary Supplement Verification Program, UL Brand Certification Program.
In addition to these requirements, you must submit legible and clean product images. More requirement details below.
Certificate of Analysis Requirements
A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is a document issued by an ISO 17025 Certified Laboratory or a GMP Certified in-house laboratory that confirms your dietary supplement meets its product descriptions and specifications.
A CoA must include the following:
- Product name, batch/lot number or date code of the finished product sample tested
- Name and address of the laboratory issuing the CoA
- Results from the accredited laboratory to support the ingredient concentrations as claimed on the supplement facts panel
- Each reported result must be accompanied by the laboratory test method that was used
- Quantitative analysis (Ingredient names AND units of measure for each ingredient on the supplement facts panel must match those of the CoA)
Additionally, for a product to be accepted by the Amazon Marketplace, its submitted CoA must have been provided within the past twelve months and be submitted in PDF form. Laboratory tests of an expired item will not be accepted.
Product Image Requirements
For a dietary supplement to be accepted by Amazon, it must contain:
- Legible and clean product images that show all sides of the product label
- The product name, and the name and address of the brand owner or manufacturer
- A clear image of the supplement fact panel and ingredient list
- Direct images of the product or its packaging. Computer generated images and mock-ups will not be accepted.
Keep in mind that all dietary supplements must fully comply with these new requirements in order for your product to stay on the Amazon Marketplace. If your products do not meet these requirements, Amazon has the authority to pull your products from their marketplace, suspend you as a seller, withhold payments, and, possibly, take legal action.
How Paragon Can Help
Paragon is a GMP Certified laboratory, which gives us the ability to provide a CoA for your brand’s dietary supplement. Contact us today for more information.
Given these new regulations from Amazon, you may have to reevaluate your supplement brand. Paragon Laboratories is an Amazon-friendly contract manufacturer that will work closely with you to help you adhere to these changes. If you need assistance navigating the new Amazon regulations, contact us today.
