How to Appeal Amazon Product Safety Removals or Suspensions

Amazon can remove products for compliance reasons for various reasons. In many cases, Amazon is acting correctly. However, there are situations in which product removals or suspensions for compliance reasons can be successfully appealed.

In this guide, we explain why Amazon suspend products, and how sellers can appeal product removals and suspensions to have their products reinstated.

Note: This guide is focused on product removal appeals in the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. That said, the methods explained can likely be applied to other markets as well.

Why do Amazon remove or suspend products for compliance reasons?

There are two common scenarios in which Amazon suspends or removes products for product safety or compliance reasons.

Product Compliance Checks

Amazon can request documentation demonstrating that a product complies with certain regulatory requirements in the following cases:

1. Compliance checks when listing new products

2. Routine checks targeting a particular product category (or when a new regulation or other requirements is implemented that impact your products).

3. Amazon has received reports or, for other reasons, has reason to believe that your products may not be compliant

4. You have failed compliance checks in the past, and Amazon decides to further investigate your products

There could also be other scenarios, but these are the ones I am aware of.

Failing to provide the requested documentation can result in suspension followed by product removals within a certain time frame.

Product Category Reclassification

Amazon can also deem that your product is listed in the wrong category and must change it to another. This can result in additional compliance documentation being requested as part of the “new” category your product is moved to.

Failing to provide the “new documentation” can thus result in suspension and product removals.

Here are some examples of when and why this can happen:

Product claims

A few years ago, we received a report from an EU-based company selling a certain product. Amazon had decided that its product was a medical device and, therefore, required documentation demonstrating compliance with the EU Medical Devices Regulation.

The seller did not actually have such documentation, as they did not consider their product a medical device.

We investigated the matter, and it turned out that Amazon had reclassified the product as a medical device on the basis that the seller claimed, in the product description, that the product offered treatment. This, in turn, made Amazon decide that the product fell within the EU Medical Devices Regulation.

Amazon action

In 2023, we started receiving reports from customers selling on Amazon in the United States. What they had in common was that they were selling backpacks and had suddenly received requests to demonstrate compliance with the CPSIA.

For context, the CPSIA applies to children’s products sold in the United States. While this includes children’s backpacks, these companies were not specifically targeting children.

Nonetheless, Amazon had decided that their backpacks were within the scope of the CPSIA and thus requested a CPC, tracking label files, and test reports.

Product compliance check appeals

To appeal product compliance checks, to must submit the required documentation or accept the removal. The specific documentation requirements depend on the product, but can involve the following:

United States

• Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)
• General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)
• ASTM standards test reports
• UL standards test reports
• Label fie photocopies

European Union

• EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
• EN standards test reports
• REACH test reports
• CE mark photocopies
• GPSR label photocopies
• Instructions photocopies

United Kingdom

• UK Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
• BS EN standards test reports
• UK REACH test reports
• UKCA mark photocopies
• UK GPSR 20025 label photocopies
• Instructions photocopies

Product category reclassification appeals

When it comes to appealing product category reclassifications, you have a chance to convince Amazon that its assessment is incorrect.

Methodology

1. Start by assessing why Amazon reclassified the product

• What is the new product category?
• What regulatory requirements were triggered by this change?

2. Next, try to figure out what triggered the change:

• Product claims
• Product category action

3. Finally, you need to show Amazon that your product does not fall within the scope of the regulations belonging to the new category.

Successful Appeal – Educational Electronic Device

One of our customers recently received a request for compliance documentation demonstrating that their device complies with the EU Toy Safety Directive.

They managed to appeal successfully by referring to the definition of toys:

This Amazon seller had never claimed that their product was a toy or that it was made for use in play by children under 14 years of age.

By accurately pointing out when the Toy Safety Directive applies, and explaining why their product does not fit in its scope, they managed to appeal their case successfully. Hence, they did not have to provide additional compliance documentation.

Failed Appeal – Massage Vest

Amazon requested that a seller of massage vests provide documents demonstrating compliance with the Medical Devices Regulation in the European Union. This was triggered by claims related to the massage vest being a suitable treatment for certain ailments.

The answer as to why Amazon deemed this a medical device can be found in how a medical device is defined in the EU Medical Devices Regulation.

By claiming that their product provides treatments, the seller had unknowingly claimed that their product is a medical device.

Amazon took their word for it and subsequently requested EU MDR documentation after moving their product to the medical devices category. The seller did not have this, and the appeal failed.

FAQ

How much time do we have to submit documents to Amazon when we appeal?

In my experience, sellers are often given around 30 days to submit documentation. That said, the time frame could vary.

Further, the product is likely to remain suspended until you have submitted the requested documentation.

How long does it take to appeal a product suspended for compliance reasons?

If you have the requested documentation or can demonstrate that Amazon did incorrectly reclassify your product, then the appeal may only take a few days.

What happens if we do not appeal a product removal or suspension?

In that case, your product is likely to be delisted.

Will Amazon only remove the suspended product or the entire account?

I cannot recall a case we have reviewed where Amazon suspended the seller account on this basis. However, it is reasonable that this could happen if severe compliance issues are found or if sellers attempt to relist products that have been suspended.

Can we relist products in case we fail the appeal?

No, you should absolutely not relist products that have failed an appeal due to a lack of compliance documentation or if Amazon disagrees with your appeal to not have a product category reclassified. Doing so could result in serious consequences.