Create several popular categories of products on Amazon US website

What certifications should I pay attention to?

Sellers on Amazon should know that whether it's the North American site, European site, or Japanese site, many products must obtain corresponding certifications to be sold on Amazon.

If the product does not have relevant certification, selling on Amazon will encounter many difficulties. If detected by Amazon, the listing sales permission will be suspended; When shipping, the product may encounter obstacles in customs clearance and there is also a risk of being detained.

So what certifications do you need to pay attention to when making products in Amazon's popular categories?

Let's learn together:

013C products

3C products are a collective term for computer, communication, and consumer electronics products, also known as "information appliances". For example, computers, tablets, mobile phones, mice, Bluetooth earphones, wireless portable speakers, data cables, power banks, smartwatches, etc.

Taking Bluetooth earphones as an example

A certain product needs to be considered in two parts, one is the earphone part and the other is the charging case part. The earphone part has wireless function and needs to be tested according to the relevant wireless standards. FCC certification requires compliance with FCC-ID, in addition to wireless requirements, headphones also need to meet corresponding safety and EMC requirements. The other part of the charging box can be made according to the charger standard, which includes EMC and safety testing requirements.

Test standard content:

The charging case is designed for EMC, while the Bluetooth earphones themselves are designed for wireless (FCC-ID) and EMC.

1. FCC certification

FCC certification refers to the certification of electronic products by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. FCC certification is a regulatory requirement for mandatory certification of electronic and wireless devices sold in the United States. This certification aims to ensure that the equipment does not cause interference to telecommunications networks and other electronic devices during operation, while ensuring that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the equipment during use complies with FCC standards. FCC certification is a necessary procedure for electronic products and radio equipment that need to be sold in the US market.

2. FCC ID authentication

FCC is a mandatory certification in the United States, with two certification methods: FCC ID and FCC SDOC. Products with wireless transmission function are certified with FCC ID, while others are certified with FCC SDOC;

If wireless electronic products are exported to the United States, FCC-ID certification is required. The Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB) in the United States will review the samples and test data submitted by the requester. If they meet FCC certification standards, the device will be authorized with an FCC ID number. With this ID, Bluetooth earphones can smoothly pass customs and be sold in the United States

3. EMC certification

EMC certification is a standard for Electro Magnetic Compatibility, defined as the ability of equipment and systems to function properly in their electromagnetic environment without causing unacceptable electromagnetic interference to anything in the environment. This definition includes two aspects. Firstly, the device should be able to operate normally in a certain electromagnetic environment, that is, the device should have a certain electromagnetic immunity (EMS); Secondly, the electromagnetic interference generated by the device itself cannot have a significant impact on other electronic products, namely electromagnetic interference (EMI).

4. UL certification

UL certification is a non mandatory certification in the United States, mainly for the testing and certification of product safety performance. For sellers or retailers, UL certification is the foundation of consumer trust in product quality. Although not mandatory, Amazon has recently required UL certification for all high-voltage products, otherwise there is a risk of product delisting.

02Furniture kitchen category

In daily life, cooking is indispensable. Food storage and stainless steel kitchenware and tableware have also become essential daily household items, among which stainless steel kitchenware and tableware have become one of the materials loved by Europeans and Americans due to their convenient cleaning and comfortable grip. Small kitchen appliances are also popular. According to data statistics, the most popular kitchen appliances are air fryers, followed by bread makers, ovens, mixers, slow cookers, etc.

Taking dishes, bread makers (small appliances) as an example:

Tableware is classified as food contact materials; Food contact materials refer to all materials that can come into contact with food during the processing, production, packaging, storage, and transportation of food. Common materials include various plastics, metal ceramics, glass, bamboo, and wood products, such as drinking cups, lunch boxes, spoons, and so on.

For all vessels, materials, etc. that come into direct contact with food and beverages, or with the human tongue, they must pass FDA standard testing and certification before entering the US market.

1. FDA certification

The US FDA considers food packaging materials to be within the scope of food additive management.

The FDA's definition of food additives includes all substances that become food ingredients or affect food properties through direct or indirect addition or contact with food. Substances that migrate into food due to packaging, storage, or other processing are considered indirect additives.

Bread makers belong to the category of furniture/kitchen appliances, and those related to electronics require FCC certification as mentioned earlier. At the same time, bread makers are kitchen utensils that directly come into contact with videos and also require FDA certification. DOE energy efficiency certification is required for small household appliances related to electrical products exported to the United States.

2. DOE certification

The full name of the US Department of Energy is the Department of Energy, abbreviated as "DOE". DOE certification is an energy efficiency certification issued by DOE in accordance with relevant electronic and electrical regulations in the United States. The main purpose of issuing this certification is to improve the efficiency of product use, reduce energy consumption, save energy, and minimize greenhouse effects.

03Children's products category

When it comes to Amazon's best-selling products, it is worth mentioning the "children's products" category. According to relevant data, the sales of the US children's products industry have increased by 13% in the past two years, and unit sales have also increased by 8% year-on-year compared to last year. In the field of infant and child products in the United States, Amazon has become a pivotal giant, accounting for half of the market share in the infant and child e-commerce market.

Taking children's toys and pacifiers as examples

When launching products related to children on the US website, including toys, baby products, etc., CPC certificates will be required, otherwise they will not be sold. Products such as pacifiers that come into direct contact with children's mouth and physical objects require FDA certification.

CPC certification

The issuing agency of Children's Product Certificate (CPC) is specifically responsible for testing the safety of children's products. All children's toys and products sold on Amazon US must provide a children's product certificate.

CPC certification applies to all products primarily intended for children aged 12 and under, such as toys, cradles, children's clothing, etc. If produced locally in the United States, the manufacturer is responsible for providing them, and if produced in other countries, the importer is responsible for providing them. That is to say, cross-border sellers as "importers" who want to sell products produced by Chinese factories to the United States need to provide CPC certificates to Amazon as a retail/distributor.

04Auto parts category

According to market data statistics, since the beginning of 2021, auto parts, steering wheel covers, car refrigerators, car seat covers and other auto parts products have become the "new favorites" of the market. After relaxing control, the auto repair and maintenance market has gradually recovered and even been expanding, and has been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7%. It is expected that by next year, the market size can reach over 800 billion US dollars.

Taking car seat covers and car components as examples

Automotive products sold in the United States are mandatory to undergo DOT certification;

DOT certification

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for testing the safety of various transportation vehicles entering the United States, and this certificate mainly proves the safety of automotive parts products.

According to DOT requirements, transportation vehicles (cars, trucks, trailers, buses, motorcycles, etc.) and their components (brake hoses, brake fluid, lamps, tires, seat belts, seats, helmets, warning triangles, etc.) exported to the United States must undergo registration and review with the U.S. Department of Transportation before entering its market.

05Cosmetics/Skincare Category

On Amazon, beauty and personal care have always been popular categories, with 23% of sellers selling related products. Beauty and personal care products are gradually becoming a necessity for consumers, and sales are expected to increase. The seller status report of Jungle Scout shows that 21% of sellers selling beauty and personal care products achieved a net profit margin of 26-50%, while 15% of sellers had a net profit margin in the range of 21-25%.

The certification required for cosmetics sold on Amazon is about to bring up FDA certification again; The FDA is one of the executive agencies established by the US government within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Public Health (PHS). The FDA certification responsibility is to ensure the safety of food, cosmetics, drugs, biologics, medical devices, and radiation products produced or imported in the United States. Perfume, skin care, makeup, hair care, bath products, health and personal care all need FDA certification.

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