Recently, Amazon has rolled out a groundbreaking new regulation for the toy category on a global scale, a move that represents a far-reaching transformation for sellers operating in this sector. The new rule clearly mandates that for toy products to achieve compliance, they must undergo Direct Validation by Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) bodies recognized by Amazon. Moreover, this change covers major core marketplaces including the United States, Canada, and Europe—signaling the end of the traditional model where toy sellers could independently upload compliance reports. In response to this shift, sellers must act swiftly to adjust their compliance processes and partner with professional, efficient, and Amazon-approved TIC institutions to ensure their products can continue to be sold smoothly on Amazon.
1. What Is Amazon TIC Direct Validation?
To fundamentally ensure product safety and compliance, Amazon has launched the "Direct Validation (DV)" mechanism, with three core key points:
● Validation by Designated TIC Bodies: For products in designated categories (with toys as the current focus), sellers must either conduct compliance testing/certification directly through TIC bodies recognized by Amazon, or provide existing test reports and documents in full as required by TIC bodies for rigorous verification and review.
● Results Directly Submitted to Amazon: After the completion of the entire testing and validation process, TIC bodies will submit results directly to Amazon. This completely eliminates the possibility of sellers interfering with data uploads independently, effectively safeguarding the authenticity and impartiality of the data.
● No Self-Upload Permission for Sellers: Going forward, sellers will no longer have the authority to upload compliance documents on their own. All compliance-related operations must be carried out through TIC bodies as the "bridge."
2. Amazon TIC Direct Validation Compliance Process
Now that we understand the Direct Validation mechanism, let’s break down the specific compliance process into four key steps:
1. Seller Initiates Request: Sellers need to proactively submit an audit request in the Amazon Seller Central under the path: "Performance - Account Health - Policy Compliance - Validate Your Products" to kick off the compliance validation process.
2. TIC Body Engagement: Upon receiving the seller’s request, the designated TIC body will promptly contact the seller to discuss and arrange subsequent testing work. If the seller already has test reports, the TIC body will also conduct a rigorous verification of these documents.
3. Results Directly Submitted to the Platform: Once testing/validation is completed, the TIC body will submit the results directly to Amazon in accordance with Amazon’s requirements. During this process, sellers cannot upload any documents independently, ensuring the objectivity of the entire workflow.
4. Sellers Bear Related Costs: It is important to note that sellers are responsible for covering all costs associated with testing/validation.
3. Impact of the New Regulation on Sellers
After the implementation of the new regulation, its impact on sellers is primarily reflected in audit outcomes:
● Audit Pass: If a product successfully passes the strict audit by the TIC body and meets all policies set by Amazon, it can be sold on Amazon with peace of mind, and no additional actions are required from the seller.
● Audit Failure: If a seller fails to initiate the testing or validation process in a timely manner, or if test results show the product does not comply with Amazon’s policies, the product listing may be removed by Amazon, and the corresponding product will face the risk of being taken down—potentially causing incalculable losses to the seller.
4. Great News! RTS Testing Officially Becomes an Amazon TIC Body
Amidst these strict new regulations, choosing a professional, reliable, and Amazon-approved TIC body has become the key to sellers’ successful compliance. Here, we bring exciting news to all sellers: RTS Testing has officially become an Amazon TIC body, and our DV Laboratory Program is now live!
When submitting a quotation request in Seller Central, sellers will see a list of Amazon-recommended laboratories—and RTS Testing is among them. You can find us under "Available Providers (TICs)" in the quotation request form.
Facing the challenges brought by Amazon’s new toy category regulations, RTS Testing leverages its professional service capabilities, extensive industry experience, and authoritative qualification certifications to serve as a solid backup for sellers on their compliance journey. If you have any questions about Amazon’s product safety and compliance policies, please feel free to contact RTS Testing at any time—our professional team will provide answers and full support as soon as possible. Let RTS Testing join hands with you to easily navigate the new regulations, achieve compliant product export, and create greater business success on Amazon!