As the toy sales peak season approaches, Amazon has implemented stricter Document Verification (DV) requirements for toy sellers across its European and North American marketplaces. The new policy mandates that product testing reports must now be reviewed by Amazon-approved TIC (Testing, Inspection, and Certification) agencies, significantly raising compliance barriers and operational costs for sellers.
Major Changes in Verification Process: Third-Party Oversight and Listing Risks
The core change involves a complete overhaul of the review process. Previously, sellers could submit test reports directly to Amazon for manual review. Under the new system, sellers must select an approved TIC agency to verify reports before submission to Amazon. These agencies now serve as gatekeepers for product compliance, with non-compliant products facing immediate removal.
The revised verification process follows these steps:
- Amazon notifies sellers about required DV verification
- Sellers select an approved TIC agency from Amazon's list
- Sellers obtain a TRF-prefixed verification number from the agency
- Testing reports and documentation are submitted to the TIC agency
- The agency conducts comprehensive review and submits results directly to Amazon
- Only approved products maintain active listings
Stricter Compliance Requirements: Shorter Validity and Expanded Testing
The updated regulations introduce several stringent requirements:
- Shorter report validity: Test reports now expire after one year instead of three, requiring annual retesting
- Expanded chemical testing: Previously optional tests are now mandatory, significantly increasing testing costs
- Updated standards: Only the latest ASTM F963-23 standard is accepted, invalidating previous versions
- Stricter age classification: Laboratories must physically assess products rather than accepting seller declarations
Rising Compliance Costs: Fee Structure Changes Impact Business Models
The policy changes introduce new cost burdens. While Amazon previously conducted free reviews, sellers must now pay TIC agencies per listing verification. Combined with increased testing requirements, compliance costs per product may rise 200-300%, particularly affecting high-volume sellers.
Operational Challenges: Extended Timelines and Inventory Issues
Sellers face multiple operational hurdles:
- New product launches now require 15+ days for compliance verification
- Existing inventory may become unsellable if samples for retesting are unavailable
- Many factory-provided test reports fail to meet new standards, requiring complete retesting
Key Terminology for Compliance Understanding
Important compliance terms include:
- ISO 17025 Laboratory: Accredited testing facilities comparable to accredited educational institutions
- Amazon TIC Agency: Approved verification bodies meeting Amazon's specific requirements
- NB Agency: EU-recognized compliance organizations listed in the Nando database
- CPSC Accreditation: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission-recognized testing facilities
Regional Verification Requirements
Documentation requirements vary by region and verification type:
- European reactive investigations: Require reports from both NB agencies and Chinese TIC agencies
- Standard European reviews: Accept ISO 17025 laboratory reports
- North American standard reviews: Require ISO 17025 + CPSC accredited laboratories
- North American reactive investigations: Mandate reports from unspecified Amazon-approved agencies
Compliance Recommendations for Sellers
Sellers should consider these strategies:
- Select agencies with both NB and Chinese TIC accreditation to streamline multinational compliance
- Audit existing product documentation and prioritize verification for high-risk listings
- Factor extended compliance timelines into product launch schedules
The updated DV requirements represent Amazon's most comprehensive toy safety initiative to date, requiring sellers to adapt quickly to maintain marketplace access during the critical holiday sales period.