Amazon Product Compliance Requirements in Australia

Planning to sell products on Amazon in Australia? This guide provides a simple methodology for sellers to understand and identify relevant product compliance requirements.

1. Comply with mandatory product safety standards

Certain products sold in Australia are subject to mandatory product safety standards. These set requirements in the following areas:

• Mechanical safety
• Flammability
• Chemicals
• Heavy metals
• Product labelling
• Packaging labelling
• Testing requirements

This requirement also extends to products sold on Amazon in Australia. This can be verified when you list a product or if Amazon decides to request compliance documentation at a later date.

Product safety standards

Here are some product categories covered by mandatory product safety standards in Australia:

• Toys
• Children’s clothing
• Other children’s products
• Bicycle helmets
• Furniture
• Vehicles
• Cosmetics
• Button cell batteries

2. Do not sell products subject to bans

Certain products are subject to permanent bans and therefore cannot be sold on Amazon in Australia. The following are subject to bans:

• Candles with lead wicks
• Combustible candle holders
• DEHP in children’s plastic items
• Fire footbags and other such goods
• Gas masks with asbestos breathing devices
• Glucomannan in tablet form
• Mini jelly cups containing konjac
• Novelty cigarette lighters
• Novelty cigarettes
• Sky lanterns
• Small high-powered magnets
• Swimming pools and spas with unsafe design features
• Tinted headlight covers
• Tongue studs without holes
• Toothpaste containing diethylene glycol
• Toys that inflate and contain beads
• Undeclared knives or cutters in art, craft and stationery sets
• Yo-yo water balls

Note that the authorities have the power to impose interim bans in case a product is deemed to be unsafe. This is the case even if your product is not subject to an existing ban or mandatory safety standard.

The implications for Amazon sellers in Australia are that their products should always ensure that their products are as safe as possible. Amazon can, and must, act if products sold via its marketplace are found to be unsafe.

3. Identify relevant AS/NZS or other standards

Certain Australian product safety standards reference additional product standards, primarily AS standards and AS/NZS standards. The effect of this is that Amazon sellers must ensure compliance with mandatory product safety standards and referenced standards.

It should also be noted that some Australian product safety regulations also reference European standards and American standards.

Examples

Product	Standard
Lead in children’s toys	AS/NZS ISO 8124.3:2003
Baby walkers	ASTM F977‑12
Swimming and flotation Aids	AS/NZS 1900:2014

Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS)

The Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) requires that electronic products sold in Australia meet certain safety requirements. Amazon lists specific standards that must be met to achieve this.

For example, power banks must comply with the following:

1. AS/NZS 3820:2020

2. AS/NZS 62368.1:2022

3. BS/EN/IEC 62133-2:2017 + AMD1:2021 Part 2: Lithium systems) or UL 2054

4. UN 38.3 (Transportation Testing for Lithium-Ion Batteries)

4. Identify Voluntary Standards

As mentioned, Amazon can remove products that are unsafe even if these are not subject to bans or mandatory standards. If this is the case, you should consider applying for voluntary AS or AS/NZS standards, as these can help you ensure that your products meet certain safety criteria.

Further, Amazon can set the bar higher than the Australian government by mandating compliance with AS or AS/NZS standards that are, on paper, voluntary.

Ultimately, you should do your utmost to ensure that your products are safe to protect both your business and your customers.

5. Other requirements

Here are some product categories for which additional regulatory requirements apply in Australia:

Product	Regulation/s
Electronic products	Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) and Australian state regulations
Textile and leather products	Safety guidance on concentrations of particular chemicals in certain consumer goods (Link)
Cosmetics	Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 Therapeutic Goods (Declared Goods) Order 2019
Food packaging	Food Standards Code
Water-efficient products (e.g. taps, showers, washing machines)	Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005
Packaging	National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011

Amazon Australia Compliance Checklist

✅ Is your product subject to a mandatory safety standard?

✅ If yes, identify the following requirements:

• Mechanical safety
• Flammability
• Chemicals
• Heavy metals
• Product labelling
• Packaging labelling
• Testing requirements

✅ Is your product subject to bans in Australia?

✅ Do any other regulations apply to your product in Australia?

✅ Are there any voluntary AS or AS/NZS standards applicable to your product?

✅ Does Amazon require compliance with “voluntary” AS or AS/NZS standards applicable to your product?

✅ Is your product classified as dangerous goods (hazmat) in Australia?

✅ Ensure that your products and packaging are correctly labelled before shipping to an Amazon warehouse

✅ Arrange third-party testing to verify compliance

✅ Obtain all required test reports

FAQ

What documents do sellers need to submit?

Amazon.au often request the following to verify compliance:

1. Test reports

2. Product label files

3. Packaging label files

Note that Amazon generally requires test reports issued by ISO 17025 accredited labs. One such lab is Austest, which is based in Sydney.

Can products be removed from Amazon in Australia?

Yes, this can happen in the following scenarios:

1. Your product does not comply with mandatory standards

2. Your product does not comply with the referenced AS, AS/NZS, EN or ASTM standards

3. Your product is subject to a ban

4. Your product does not comply with the requirements set by Amazon.au

Your product can also be removed if it is subject to a recall or deemed to be unsafe.

Is lab testing required when selling on Amazon in Australia?

Yes, testing is required for products subject to product safety standards. Testing is necessary to verify compliance and to obtain a test report (which can also be requested by Amazon).

Is compliance with AS/NZS required?

Yes, many AS/NZS standards are mandated by product safety standards related to the Australian Consumer Law. Amazon Australia also requires that products sold on its marketplace comply with these standards.