What’s Changed?
Starting in early 2025, Amazon expanded its lab testing requirement to include more supplement categories – with a specific focus on joint support supplements. Products containing ingredients like:
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- MSM
- Or those making mobility, flexibility, or joint health claims
…are now required to submit passing lab results from a third-party TIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification) lab.
Amazon issued a 90-day deadline, which ended on April 29, 2025. Products without confirmed lab certification by that date faced listing removal.
Early Takedowns & Delays Spark Frustration
Some brands reported that their listings were removed even before the posted deadline, and many experienced long delays in reinstatement—even after submitting compliant results. In some cases, Amazon’s internal review lagged, leading to lost revenue and headaches for compliant sellers.
These enforcement actions were triggered via Amazon’s Manage Your Compliance dashboard, where listings flagged as non-compliant were given specific due dates. Miss them (or even meet them with delays in Amazon's backend), and you're potentially offline.
This signals a new era of stricter enforcement—Amazon is proactively removing any listings that haven’t been clearly verified for safety and compliance.
Why This Matters for Brands
Amazon's move is part of a larger effort to:
- Protect consumer trust in the supplement category
- Reduce liability for unsafe or mislabeled products
- Align with growing FDA and FTC scrutiny of online supplement sales
For supplement brands, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity: the cost of compliance is rising, but so is the barrier to entry for low-quality competitors.
5 Survival Tips for Supplement Brands
Male enhancement and similar niches are under heavy scrutiny. If your products fall into these categories, you must invest in third-party testing and full ingredient transparency—or consider focusing on lower-risk segments.
1. Preemptively Test All Products
Even if your product isn’t currently flagged, assume testing will become mandatory soon. Work with Amazon-approved third-party labs to test for:
- Identity and potency
- Microbial contamination
- Heavy metals
- Label accuracy
Proactively uploading results can prevent takedowns and improve your brand’s standing.
2. Check Amazon’s Approved Labs List
Don’t just use any lab. Amazon requires testing from approved TIC labs. You can find the list on Seller Central or AHPA.org, which provides guidance and links to compliance partners.
Make sure the lab’s certificate includes:
- Your brand and product name
- Batch/lot number
- Methodology
- Testing date
3. Use the “Manage Your Compliance” Dashboard Daily
This is your early warning system. Check it regularly to:
- Track which listings are due for testing
- Upload documents and respond to notices
- See review progress and confirmation
Do not wait for an email – many removals happen without direct notification.
4. Standardize Documentation Across All SKUs
Create a centralized SOP for managing certificates of analysis (COAs), test reports, and ingredient sourcing. Store them in a structured, cloud-based folder and label everything clearly.
Brands with streamlined compliance documentation get reinstated faster if flagged.
5. Plan Inventory Around Testing Timelines
Some sellers were caught off-guard when Amazon removed listings before test results were reviewed. To avoid costly out-of-stock issues:
- Send inventory only after test results are submitted
- Maintain a buffer inventory in case of temporary removals
- Avoid launching new SKUs without pre-testing
Final Thought: Compliance is Now a Competitive Advantage
Amazon is setting a clear tone: Only tested, verified, and safe supplements will be allowed to stay. This may feel like a burden, but for serious brands, it’s an opportunity to rise above the noise.
Get compliant. Stay agile. And market your compliance transparency as part of your value proposition – especially if competitors are struggling to keep up.
Want expert help navigating Amazon’s new compliance rules?
At Fussy Penguins, we work exclusively with supplement brands to ensure your listings stay live, your reputation stays strong, and your revenue keeps growing.