Approved Amazon DV TIC Provider Supports Dietary Supplements Compliance
Amazon has recently officially announced that starting from March 2026, the US marketplace will enforce strict delisting policies for non‑compliant dietary supplement products. Meanwhile, Amazon will mandate the new Direct Validation (DV) model.
Cotecna has obtained official authorization from Amazon to act as a TIC (Testing, Inspection and Certification) body for Direct Validation of Dietary Supplements. It helps sellers meet mandatory platform compliance requirements and gain rapid access to the US market.
Definition of “Dietary Supplements” under US Regulations
Pursuant to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), the FDA classifies dietary supplements as food, not drugs.
- Ingredients & Forms: Including vitamins, minerals, botanicals, amino acids and other constituents; available in powders, capsules, drops and other presentations.
- Key Compliance Boundaries: As food products, they do not require pre‑market FDA approval. However, claims for the treatment of any disease are strictly prohibited. Statements referring to diagnosis, cure or prevention of disease will re‑classify items as drugs, resulting in delisting and potential legal risks.
Key Timelines for the New Regulation
- December 10, 2025 (Mandatory Enforcement): All products shall complete testing and validation under the new rules. Products without initiated validation procedures cannot be listed.
- March 10, 2026 (Final Deadline): Non‑compliant ASINs will be forcibly delisted, and account performance points may be deducted.
Recommendation: Testing and rectification generally take 3‑6 months. Sellers are advised to initiate procedures well in advance and reserve sufficient time for submission and review.
Amazon Special Policies & Operational Requirements
Under Amazon’s Direct Validation (DV) model, test results are submitted directly to the platform by designated bodies, with no manual submission by sellers. Specific requirements are as follows:
- Mandatory Process: Testing or documentation verification must be performed by an Amazon‑approved third‑party TIC provider.
- Additional Testing for Five High‑risk Categories: Products targeting body shaping, joint health, sexual function, sports nutrition, weight management, sleep support and cardiovascular health require extra testing for heavy metals, microorganisms, pesticide residues and known adulterants.
- cGMP Compliance: Manufacturing facilities must hold valid third‑party cGMP audits or certifications. Self‑inspection reports and FDA inspection reports are not accepted.
- Application Workflow: Sellers trigger validation in Seller Central, select an approved TIC, and submit samples and documentation. Test results are transmitted directly to Amazon by the authorized body.
- Outcome: Approved products regain selling privileges; non‑compliant products require rectification and retesting.
Cotecna holds Direct Validation (DV) qualifications for five product categories:
- Dietary Supplements
- Children’s Toys
- Portable Power Supplies
- Electric Mobility Devices
- Accessories for Electric Mobility Devices
Cotecna Service Advantages
- Officially Recognized, Direct Platform Connectivity: As an Amazon‑designated DV provider, Cotecna’s validation results are accepted directly by Amazon’s system, delivering a reliable pathway for fast product listing.
- One‑stop Solutions to Streamline Operations: End‑to‑end services cover product testing, document review, compliance assessment and result submission, reducing sellers’ compliance workload.
- Expert‑led Proactive Compliance Support: The team maintains in‑depth knowledge of Amazon policies and regulatory updates, delivering custom compliance strategies and risk‑control programmes.
- Global Network with Local Support: Cotecna operates over 180 offices and accredited laboratories across more than 50 countries, with an extensive local service network established in China.
Baier Testing, Cotecna’s Chinese food laboratory, has long‑standing expertise in food and dietary supplement testing. It delivers testing services aligned with Amazon’s DV‑TIC guidelines for dietary supplements, covering dietary/active ingredients, heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and illegal adulterants.
Faced with increasingly stringent Amazon compliance requirements, Chinese cross‑border sellers confront systemic challenges spanning global legislation, platform rules and consumer product safety. Selecting an authoritative, competent partner is critical for successful overseas expansion. Cotecna will continue to empower compliant cross‑border trade, safeguard product safety through professional technical services, and accelerate global market access.
About Baier Testing
Baier Testing, located in Shandong Province, a major agri-food production region of China, is a third-party testing and certification body with strong expertise in agri-food and environmental sectors. Covering 34 major food categories, Baier provides testing services for agri-food and food-related products, and system certification services against key international standards including ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001, HACCP and ISO22000. The solutions span all stages from production and distribution to catering. With efficient, comprehensive, and precise service, Baier is committed to safeguarding food safety from farm to table.