A Complete Compliance Roadmap for Amazon FBA, Private Label, and Ecommerce Sellers

Selling physical products online whether on Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, Etsy, or Chewy comes with one non-negotiable requirement: product safety compliance. Marketplaces want to make sure every product is safe, legal, and properly documented. For sellers, this means preparing (or sourcing from suppliers) several types of safety documents such as COA, SDS, FDA approvals, FCC certificates, and more.

In this guide, we break down each document, when you need it, how to collect it, and how Amazon or other marketplaces use these compliance files during listing approval or audits.

Why Product Safety Documentation Matters

Product safety documents are not “extra paperwork.” They exist for three critical reasons:

• Protect consumer safety

• Limit your legal liability as a seller

• Meet Amazon/marketplace regulations to avoid listing suspension

Without proper documentation, your listing can be flagged or removed for:

• Safety non-compliance

• Missing or incorrect certifications

• Incorrect brand or manufacturer information

• Failing a random audit

• Selling restricted or high-risk products

For private-label sellers, this becomes even more important because you are officially the manufacturer of record.

Key Product Safety Documents Explained

Below is the complete breakdown of the most important safety documents you will encounter as an Amazon or ecommerce seller.

1. COA – Certificate of Analysis

What is a COA?

A COA verifies the composition, purity, quality, and safety of a product mainly used for cosmetics, supplements, skincare, food, and chemicals.

What COA Includes

• Ingredient breakdown

• Microbial testing results

• Heavy metal testing

• Physical/chemical property tests

• Manufacturing batch/lot number

• Lab name + accreditation

When Amazon Requires It

A COA is needed when selling:

• Supplements

• Skincare or cosmetics

• Essential oils

• Chemicals

• Food-related products

• Baby products

• Pet supplements

Where to Get a COA

• From your manufacturer

• From a 3rd-party certified lab (ISO/IEC 17025)

• Specialized Amazon-approved labs: Intertek, SGS, Bureau Veritas

2. SDS – Safety Data Sheet

What is an SDS?

A Safety Data Sheet gives safety instructions for handling, storing, and transporting hazardous products. It’s required for chemical, flammable, battery-operated, pressurized, or potentially dangerous products.

What SDS Includes

• Hazard identification

• Composition/ingredients

• Fire-fighting measures

• First-aid measures

• Handling/storage requirements

• Toxicology data

When Amazon Requires It

For any product that is:

• Flammable or combustible

• Liquid (including cosmetics containing alcohol)

• Pressurized (aerosols)

• Chemical-based

• Contains batteries (lithium-ion especially)

• Classified under Dangerous Goods

Why SDS Is Critical for FBA

FBA warehouses must know:

• Is it dangerous?

• Can it be air-shipped?

• Does it require special storage?

If you don’t upload an SDS, Amazon may assign “unknown dangerous goods” status and restrict your inventory.

3. FDA Compliance (Cosmetics, Devices, Food, Supplements)

What is FDA Compliance?

The U.S. FDA regulates a wide range of products that go into or onto the body. For sellers, the biggest categories are:

• Cosmetics

• Medical devices

• Dietary supplements

• Food products

• Baby products (some categories fall under FDA scrutiny)

Important:

Amazon often asks for documents to prove your product meets FDA rules even if the product itself doesn’t require FDA approval.

FDA Requirements by Category

Cosmetics

FDA does not require pre-approval.
But Amazon requires:

• COA

• Safety testing

• Ingredient list

• Manufacturer registration (Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program)

Dietary Supplements

Requires:

• COA

• GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certification

• Label review

• Facility registration with FDA

Medical Devices

Products like:

• Thermometers

• Blood pressure monitors

• Pregnancy tests

• Massage guns claiming medical benefits

May require:

• 510(k) approval

• Establishment registration

• Listing documentation

4. FCC Certification (Electronics)

What is FCC?

FCC ensures electronic devices do not cause harmful radio interference.

When Amazon Requires FCC

Any device with RF, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or electronic signal emission, including:

• Bluetooth headphones

• Smartwatches

• Wireless chargers

• Remote controls

• Toys that include electronics

• Laptops or tablets

Types of FCC Documents

• FCC Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC)

• FCC ID (required for intentional radiators)

• Test report from an accredited lab

5. CPC & GCC – Children’s Product Safety Certifications

What is CPC?

A Children’s Product Certificate is required for any product intended for children under 12.

Examples:

• Toys

• Baby clothing

• Cribs

• Pacifiers

• Plush toys

What is GCC?

A General Certificate of Conformity is required for general consumer products (not children-specific).

CPC Includes:

• Product details

• Manufacturer info

• Laboratory test results

• Compliance with specific children’s safety standards (ASTM, CPSIA, etc.)

6. UL, ETL, CE & Other Electrical Safety Certifications

UL / ETL

Required for many household electrical items:

• Power strips

• Chargers

• Kitchen appliances

• Beauty devices (e.g., hair dryers)

CE (Europe)

Mandatory for selling products in the EU.
Includes:

• CE test report

• Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

• Technical file

When Amazon Requires It

When the product:

• Converts electricity

• Plugs into an outlet

• Generates heat

• Has risk of electrical shock

7. Heavy Metal & Chemical Testing

Amazon frequently requests these tests for:

• Baby/kids products

• Kitchen products

• Food-contact items

• Jewelry

• Cosmetics

Common tests:

• Lead content

• BPA-free testing

• Prop 65 compliance

• Phthalates (for plastic items)

8. Packaging & Labeling Requirements

Even if your product is compliant, you must apply proper labeling:

• Manufacturer name + address

• Country of origin

• Safety warnings

• Age grading (for toys)

• Battery warnings

• FCC and CE marks

• Ingredient list

• Nutrition facts (for food/supplements)

9. How Amazon Reviews Safety Documentation

Amazon has several review triggers:

A. Listing creation (category approval required)

Some categories cannot be listed without compliance documents.

B. Brand Registry audits

Amazon may check authenticity and compliance for your private-label brand.

C. Post-purchase complaints

If a customer reports “safety issue,” Amazon may request documentation.

D. Random compliance audits

Often for supplements, toys, electronics, and cosmetics.

E. Dangerous Goods classification

If a product looks like chemical/liquid/battery, Amazon requires SDS.

10. Tips to Ensure Your Documentation Is Accepted

✔ Get documents from accredited labs

Look for ISO/IEC 17025 certification.

✔ Make sure your brand name matches exactly

Amazon rejects documents if:

• Brand name doesn’t match the listing

• Manufacturer name is missing

• Incorrect model numbers appear

✔ Documents must include product photos

Amazon often rejects generic certificates.

✔ Avoid “fake CE/FCC/UL” documents

Amazon actively screens for forged certificates.

✔ Always keep a compliance folder

Organize:

• COA

• SDS

• Manufacturing contract

• Certificates

• Test reports

• Labels and artwork

• Amazon emails

11. How to Know Which Document You Need (Category Map)

Cosmetics / Skincare

• COA

• SDS

• Ingredient list

• FDA compliance statements

Supplements

• COA

• GMP certification

• FDA facility registration

• Label review

Electronics

• FCC

• UL/ETL

• SDS (if battery)

Toys / Kids

• CPC

• ASTM testing

• CPSIA, lead & phthalate testing

Kitchen / Home

• FDA food-contact tests

• Heavy metal testing

Battery Products

• SDS

• UN38.3 test report

12. What Happens If You Fail a Documentation Request?

You may face:

• Listing removal

• Inventory disposal

• Account suspension (in severe cases)

• Marketplace ban for repeated violations

But Amazon generally allows you to appeal with proper documentation and a POA (Plan of Action).

13. Best Practices for Long-Term Compliance

• Audit suppliers every 6–12 months

• Update SDS if formulation changes

• Keep compliance copies in cloud storage

• Work only with compliant manufacturers

• Don’t use “fake labs” Amazon verifies certificates

• Stay updated on category-specific compliance changes

Conclusion