Changes in regulations for sellers on Amazon from January 2025 – what do you need to know?

Upcoming regulations that will impact online sales

The year 2025 brings important changes in regulations concerning sellers operating on Amazon. New rules cover both insurance issues, manufacturer liability, and standards related to environmental protection. Ignoring these changes may result in sales restrictions or even the blocking of listings. Ensure compliance now!

1. New seller liability insurance rules

Starting January 2025, Amazon will simplify insurance requirements by removing the obligation to list the platform as an additional insured party. This means less paperwork but greater responsibility – sellers must now independently inform Amazon of any changes or expiration of their policy.

Who do these changes affect?

The obligation to have liability insurance applies to sellers who exceed certain gross sales thresholds in a given month. These thresholds vary by country:

Poland: 22,500 PLN

Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands: 5,000 EUR

United Kingdom: 4,000 GBP

Sweden: 50,000 SEK

United States: 10,000 USD

Mexico: 100,000 MXN

After exceeding these limits, a seller has 30 days to purchase the appropriate insurance policy.

What are the consequences of not having insurance?

Lacking a valid policy may result in the suspension of the seller's account. Amazon values transparency, so it is important to ensure that all information is correct and up to date.

Policy requirements

The policy must meet specific criteria:

Coverage: liability for sold products, bodily injury, and risks related to operation on the platform.

Data consistency: the details on the policy must match the information on the seller's account on Amazon.

2. New EU battery regulations

The EU is tightening regulations concerning the production and recycling of batteries to reduce their environmental impact. If you sell batteries or products containing them, you must meet new requirements.

Key changes:

Carbon footprint calculation – each battery must have documentation that indicates its environmental impact.

Collection targets for used batteries: Specific targets have been set for producers regarding the collection of portable used batteries:

63% by 2027

73% by 2030

Minimum recycled material content: Industrial batteries and batteries for vehicles and machines will need to meet minimum levels of recycled material content:

16% cobalt

85% lead

6% lithium

6% nickel

Reporting and recycling – regular reporting of the amounts of batteries sold and disposed of.

Lithium recovery: The regulation sets targets for recovering lithium from used batteries:

50% by the end of 2027

80% by the end of 2031

Recycling efficiency: By the end of 2025, the following recycling efficiency targets have been set:

80% for nickel-cadmium batteries

50% for other used batteries

What does this mean for sellers?

Sellers of batteries in the EU market must adapt to the new requirements, which include:

Registration – filing with the relevant national authorities or through a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO).

Reporting – regular reporting of the amount of batteries placed on the market.

Labeling – batteries must bear markings regarding carbon footprint and recycled content.

Cooperation with PRO – ensuring proper collection and recycling processes.

If you do not provide the correct registration number, Amazon will be legally obligated to deactivate your non-compliant listings in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden from August 18, 2025.

3. New invoice numbering format in the Amazon system

From January 1, 2025, invoice numbers in VAT Calculation Services will be reduced to 14 characters to streamline accounting documentation management for Amazon Business customers. Invoice numbers will be unique and sequential. For sellers, this means the need to adjust accounting systems and reports.

Why is this important?

Shortening the numbering will simplify documentation handling, but any change in invoicing requires verification for compliance with internal systems. Check this before the end of the year to avoid errors and accounting downtime.

Example of the new invoice number format:

GB41WMTXK60R5I

The new format aims to simplify and standardize invoice numbering, which should facilitate handling for both sellers and customers.

4. New EPR regulations for single-use plastic packaging in Germany

Do you sell plastic packaging on Amazon.de? From January 1, 2025, you must confirm compliance with the regulations in the Single-Use Plastics Fund (DIVID) system.

How to meet the requirements?

Brand and product category registration: A producer based in Germany must register its brands in the appropriate categories of single-use plastics on the Single-Use Plastics Fund (DIVID) of the German Environment Agency.

Submission of registration numbers: After registration, registration numbers for each combination of brand and product type must be submitted through the Amazon Compliance Portal in the Account Health > Policy Compliance > Regulatory Compliance section.

Reporting and fees: From 2025, it is necessary to annually report the types and quantities of single-use plastic products sold and pay the corresponding eco fees.

For sellers outside Germany:

If you do not have a location in Germany but sell products there, you must register via DIVID, appoint an authorized representative to meet EPR requirements, and complete the above steps.

Failure to meet these requirements may result in the deactivation of listings on Amazon.de. Therefore, it is important for sellers to familiarize themselves with the new regulations and take appropriate actions to ensure compliance. Amazon enforces new rules, so it is advisable to act proactively.

5. New regulations against deforestation

From December 30, 2024, the EU will implement regulations aimed at eliminating products sourced from deforested areas. The new regulations cover a range of products, including:

Cattle and products derived from cattle

Cocoa

Coffee

Palm oil

Rubber

Soy

Wood products

This also includes products such as books, printer paper, wooden furniture, chocolate, and coffee beans.

Requirements for sellers:

Sellers must ensure that their products do not contribute to deforestation. This may include providing evidence of the origin of raw materials and compliance with new regulations. Amazon may request such evidence, and failure to provide it may result in deactivation of listings.

What do you need to do?

Verify the origin of the products – are raw materials in compliance with new regulations?

Monitor the supply chain – collaborate with certified suppliers.

Prepare documentation – Amazon may request compliance evidence.

Not meeting the requirements? Your products may disappear from the EU market. Therefore, do not wait – it's better to start preparations now.

Summary

The year 2025 brings significant changes for sellers on Amazon. Simplification of insurance policies, the obligation to register batteries, new invoicing rules, regulations regarding plastic packaging, and the fight against deforestation are just some of them. Ignoring these changes could mean suspended listings or even loss of access to the EU market. Leave nothing to chance – act now to ensure a smooth start to the new year.