Retailers selling children's backpacks with drawstrings or planning to distribute electric scooters in Japan should reconsider their strategies immediately. Amazon has implemented significant policy updates affecting its US and Japanese marketplaces, with non-compliant products facing removal or account suspension.
US Marketplace: Enhanced Child Safety Measures
Amazon's US platform has introduced stringent safety requirements for children's school supplies, including backpacks, book covers, lunch boxes, and pencil cases. The primary focus addresses choking hazards, as loose straps or cords on backpacks can potentially entangle around children's necks during physical activity.
Sellers must verify product designs comply with local child safety standards regarding cord length, durability, and structural integrity. Products failing to meet these specifications will be subject to mandatory removal from the marketplace.
Japan Marketplace: Transportation Device Restrictions
Japan's regulatory landscape for personal transportation devices has undergone substantial changes. Effective July 2023, amendments to the Road Transport Vehicle Act reclassified electric scooters and electric motorcycles under a new "Specified Small Motorized Vehicle" (SSM) category.
Amazon Japan has consequently prohibited sales of SSM products lacking proper certification. Products unable to meet the technical safety standards established by Japanese transportation authorities will be ineligible for distribution within the Japanese market.
For cross-border sellers, compliance remains fundamental to marketplace participation. Immediate inventory reviews are recommended to identify non-compliant products requiring modification or removal. Proactive adjustments will mitigate potential financial losses associated with policy violations.