Sellers, please note! Amazon will immediately remove products that are not compliant with this category

Recently, many sellers have received notices from Amazon that Amazon will make important adjustments to the DOE compliance policy for the US site. Chinese sellers need to be highly vigilant, as this change is directly related to the product compliance and sales stability of sellers.

01 DOE compliance policy undergoes important adjustments

The email mentioned: Starting from February 18, 2025, all pipeline products must meet the requirements of DOE (Department of Energy) registration before they can continue to be sold on the platform, otherwise they will face punitive measures such as product removal.

If the seller only receives a notification from the platform, the serious consequence is that the relevant products will be removed from the shelves. After completing compliance, they can be put on the shelves again, but if they receive an inspection from the U.S. Department of Energy, they will face huge fines.

Because the amount of the fine imposed by the US DOE is calculated based on the products sold by the seller and the number of days the products have been on the shelves, and the calculation period is one year, the cumulative amount of the fine is often astonishing.

02 The Importance of US DOE Energy Efficiency Certification

DOE certification is an energy efficiency standard certification set by the U.S. Department of Energy for specific products, aiming to reduce energy consumption and reduce environmental pollution. Certified products must comply with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EISA°) and carry a DOE energy efficiency label.

If merchants want to complete DOE registration, they must provide corresponding test reports or certifications, such as IAPMO or NSF. These test requirements have also been incorporated into the ASME A112.18.1 standard.

The core requirements of Amazon's new regulations:

• Compulsory certification: Products must pass DOE certification to prove that they meet US energy efficiency standards (such as energy efficiency labels, test reports, etc.)

• Data submission: Sellers need to upload DOE certification documents (such as FCC, ENERGY STAR, etc.) on the Amazon backend, otherwise the products will be removed from the shelves.

• Traceability mechanism: Amazon may conduct random checks on historical sales records, and non-compliant products face the risk of penalties or account suspension.

Therefore, sellers need to check the products they sell as soon as possible. If there is no relevant certification, they need to implement it. If the seller believes that the product they sell has been misidentified, they can send an email to explain the reason for the misidentification.

What products are covered by the US DOE energy efficiency certification?

A total of more than 60 different types of products are covered, including: household appliances, heating/cooling equipment, electronic products, lighting products, etc. All manufacturers and importers of covered products must use the DOE testing procedures unless they are explicitly exempted .

Amazon's compliance requirements are mainly focused on "plumbing" products. According to the latest DOE regulations, the regulations have revised the testing procedures for faucets, shower heads, toilets, and urinals.

In addition, DOE also includes the following more types of products, please refer to the figure below for specific products:

03 Notes on US DOE Certification

DOE certification can prevent products from being removed from e-commerce platforms such as Amazon or detained by U.S. Customs, ensuring that products can enter the U.S. market smoothly.

If the product fails to pass the certification, it will face a fine of up to $503 per day, and the cumulative fine may even exceed $200,000. If fined, it means that the store link will be directly "scrapped".

It is recommended that sellers who have received the email file a complaint as soon as possible and obtain US DOE certification as soon as possible.

During the certification process, there are a few key reminders to note:

• Time is running out : There are only 5 days left until the certification deadline, and the certification period may be extended due to rectification. Therefore, it is recommended that companies take immediate action to complete the certification process as soon as possible.

• Falsification is strictly prohibited: Falsified reports will result in a permanent ban on the sale of products. Previously, some sellers have been banned by Amazon for uploading false content through photoshopping. This lesson is worth pondering for all companies.

• A must for U.S. agents: During the registration process, you need to provide information about a U.S. authorized agent. For companies that do not have a local agent, this problem can be solved through third-party services.

This DOE policy upgrade is Amazon's response to the US government's strengthening of energy efficiency regulation. In the long run, it will eliminate "gray players" and make market space for high-quality sellers.

Sellers need to take this policy adjustment as an opportunity to shift from "passive response" to "active compliance" and ensure that the products they sell meet DOE certification requirements as soon as possible to avoid losses due to fines !