Cross-border e-commerce Amazon’s necessary product testing and certification

Amazon requires product testing and certification for cross-border e-commerce

Everyone who does cross-border e-commerce on Amazon in China knows that regardless of whether it is the North American site, European site, or Japanese site, many products that need to be sold on Amazon must obtain the corresponding certification. If the product does not have the relevant certification, it will encounter many difficulties when selling on Amazon. For example, if Amazon detects it, the listing sales permission will be suspended. When shipping, the product will also encounter obstacles in customs clearance and there is a risk of being detained. Today, I will help everyone sort out the relevant certifications required by Amazon.

1. CPC certification

For toy products, Amazon generally requires the provision of CPC certificates and value-added tax invoices. CPC certificates are generally made based on corresponding CPSC, CPSIA, ASTM testing content and certificates.

CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) mainly tests: 1. ASTM F963 for US toy testing standards converted into mandatory standards; 2. Regulation of lead-containing toys; 3. Children’s toy products, providing traceability labels.

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ASTM F963: Generally, the first three parts of ASTM F963 testing need to be done, including physical and mechanical performance testing, flammability testing, and testing of eight toxic heavy metals.

Other situations: 1. Electric toys: FCC (Federal Communications Commission) for remote control toys. (Wireless FCC ID, electronic FCC-VOC); 2. Art products: Art materials include: pigments, crayons, brushes, pencils, chalk, glue, ink, canvas, etc., which require LHAMA and adopt the ASTM D4236 standard. The packaging and product should have the “conform to ASTM D4236” mark, so that consumers can clearly know that the product they purchased meets the requirements. 3. ASTM F963 requires labeling for small objects, small balls, marbles, and balloons. For example, for toys and game products used by children aged 3-6 years old, and have small objects, the warning should be “Choking hazard-small parts. Not suitable for children under 3 years old”; 4. At the same time, toy products must have warning labels on the outer packaging. The warning labels for different products are different.

CPSIA (HR4040) Lead Content Testing and Phthalate Testing: The standard requirements for products containing lead or lead-containing coatings for children, and the prohibition of sales of products containing certain phthalates.

Test items:

Rubber/pacifier with rail children’s bed children’s metal jewelry baby inflatable trampoline, baby walker. Jump rope

Note: Although Amazon generally requires that most product packaging should not contain manufacturer contact information and address, more and more toy sellers are receiving information from Amazon requiring that the packaging must have the manufacturer’s name, contact phone number and address, and even require the seller to take 6-sided pictures of the product’s outer packaging to pass Amazon’s product review, of which the 6-sided pictures must clearly show the age range for which the toy product is suitable, as well as the manufacturer’s name, contact information and address.

The following products require CPC certification:

Electric toys, rattle toys, pacifiers, children’s clothing, strollers, children’s beds, fences, baby carriers, safety seats, bicycle helmets and other products.

2. FCC certification

FCC stands for Federal Communications Commission, which coordinates domestic and international communication by controlling radio broadcasting, television, telecommunications, satellite and cable. Many radio applications, communication products and digital products that enter the U.S. market require FCC approval. The FCC investigates and studies all stages of product safety to find the best solutions to problems, including testing of radio devices and aircraft.

Applicable products 1. Personal computers and peripheral equipment 2. Electrical equipment, power tools 3. Audio and video products 4. Lighting 5. Wireless products 6. Toy products 7. Security products 8. Industrial machinery

3. Energy Star Certification

Energy Star is a government program jointly launched by the US Department of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency, aimed at better protecting the living environment and saving energy. Currently, more than 30 types of products are included in this certification, such as household appliances, heating/cooling equipment, electronic products, lighting products, etc. The most common products in the Chinese market are lighting products, including energy-saving lamps (CFL), lamps (RLF), traffic signal lights, and export indicator lights.

“Energy Star” now covers more than 50 types of products, mainly focused on: 1. Computers and office equipment, such as monitors, printers, fax machines, copiers, all-in-one machines, etc.; 2. Household appliances and similar household products, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, TVs, VCRs, etc.; 3. Heating and cooling equipment: heat pumps, boilers, central air conditioning, etc.; 4. Large commercial buildings and newly built housing, doors and windows, etc.; 5. Industrial and commercial products, such as transformers, power supplies, etc.; 6. Lighting: household lamps, etc.; 7. Commercial food equipment: commercial ice cream machines, commercial dishwashers, etc.; 8. Other commercial products: vending machines, aisle signs, etc. 9. Products currently targeted include fluorescent lamps, decorative light strings, LED lamps, power adapters, switching power supplies, ceiling fan lights, consumer audio-visual products, battery charging equipment, printers, household appliances, and other types of products.

4. UL Certification

NRTL refers to Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, which is a US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirement that products used in the workplace must be tested and certified by a nationally recognized laboratory to ensure the personal safety of users. In North America, manufacturers must strictly test their products according to national standards to legally sell them for civilian or industrial use in the market. Only after passing the relevant tests of a nationally recognized laboratory (NRTL) can the product be legally sold in the market.

Product Range:

• 1. Household appliances, including small household appliances, kitchen utensils, home entertainment equipment, etc.
• 2. Electronic toys
• 3. Sports and leisure products
• 4. Household electronic equipment, lighting appliances
• 5. Household machinery
• 6. Electrical and electronic office equipment, such as photocopiers, fax machines, shredders, computers, printers, etc.
• 7. Communication products and IT products
• 8. Power tools, electronic measuring instruments, etc.
• 9. Industrial machinery, laboratory measurement equipment
• 10. Other safety-related products such as bicycles, helmets, ladders, furniture, etc.
• 11. Hardware tools and accessories

5. FDA Certification

FDA certification refers to the certification issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA certification is mainly for food, drugs, and products that come into contact with human body. The categories include food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, health products, tobacco, radiation products, etc.

Not all products need FDA certification, and the certification requirements for different products may vary. Only materials, devices and technologies approved by the FDA can be commercialized.

6. CE Certification

CE certification is only limited to the basic safety requirements that do not endanger human beings, animals and goods.

The “CE” logo is a mandatory certification mark in the EU market. Whether it is a product produced by an EU company or a product produced by other countries, it must be affixed with the “CE” logo in order to freely circulate in the EU market and to indicate that the product meets the basic requirements of the EU’s “New Approach to Technical Coordination and Standardization” directive. This is a mandatory requirement for products under EU law.

There are many different certification requirements for different countries, and they vary from country to country. With the development and improvement of the Amazon platform, the certification requirements for sellers are also different. Please follow me, I can provide you with product testing and certification services, and provide you with certification consultation and advice for other countries.

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