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 significant changes in regulations concerning sellers operating on Amazon. The new rules encompass insurance issues, producer liability, as well as standards related to environmental protection. Ignoring these changes could result in restrictions on sales or even the blocking of listings. Ensure compliance now!

1. New seller liability insurance rules
From January 2025, Amazon will simplify its insurance requirements by removing the obligation to list the platform as an additional insured party. This means less paperwork, but also greater responsibility – now the seller must inform Amazon about changes or the expiration of their policy independently.

Who do these changes affect?
The obligation to have liability insurance applies to sellers who exceed specified 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

Once these limits are exceeded, the seller has 30 days to obtain the appropriate insurance policy.

What are the consequences of lacking insurance?
Absence of a valid policy may result in the suspension of the seller's account. Amazon prioritises transparency, so it is advisable to ensure that all data is accurate and up-to-date.

Policy requirements
The policy must meet specific criteria:

• Coverage: liability for sold products, bodily injury, and risks associated with activities on the platform.

• Data consistency: the information on the policy must match the data 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 calculations – each battery must have documentation indicating its environmental impact.

• Targets for collecting used batteries: Specific targets have been established for manufacturers regarding the collection of used portable batteries:

  
  

  • 63% by 2027

  • 73% by 2030

  
  

• Minimum content of recycled materials: Industrial batteries and batteries for vehicles and machinery must meet minimum levels of content derived from recycling:

  
  

  • 16% cobalt

  • 85% lead

  • 6% lithium

  • 6% nickel

  
  

• Reporting and recycling – regular reporting of quantities of batteries sold and disposed of.

• Lithium recovery: The regulation sets targets for lithium recovery 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 comply with new requirements, which include:

• Registration – registration with the appropriate national authorities or through a producer responsibility organization (PRO).

• Reporting – regular reporting of the quantity of batteries placed on the market.

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

• Collaboration with PRO – ensuring proper collection and recycling processes.

Note: If you do not provide a valid registration number, Amazon will be legally obliged to deactivate your non-compliant listings in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden starting from 18 August 2025.

3. New invoice number format in Amazon's system
From 1 January 2025, VAT Calculation Services invoice numbers will be reduced to 14 characters, aimed at streamlining document management for Amazon Business customers. Invoice numbers will be unique and sequential. For sellers, this means an adjustment to accounting systems and reports.

Why is this important?
Shortening the numbering will facilitate document handling, but any change in invoicing requires verification of compliance with internal systems. Check this before the end of the year to avoid errors and downtimes in accounting.

Example of the new invoice number format:
GB41WMTXK60R5I

The new format aims to simplify and standardize invoice numbering, which should make it easier for both sellers and customers to handle.

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

How to meet the requirements?

• Brand and product category registration: Manufacturers based in Germany must register their 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 brand and product type combination must be submitted via the Amazon Compliance Portal in the Account Health > Policy Compliance > Regulatory Compliance section.

• Reporting and fees: From 2025, it will be necessary to report annually the types and quantities of sold single-use plastic products and pay the relevant environmental fees.

For sellers outside Germany:
If you do not have a registered office in Germany but sell products there, you must register via DIVID, appoint an authorised representative to fulfil EPR requirements, and follow the above steps.

Failure to meet these requirements may result in the deactivation of listings on Amazon.de. Therefore, it is crucial for sellers to thoroughly understand the new regulations and take the appropriate actions to ensure compliance. Amazon enforces new regulations, so it is wise to act proactively.

5. New regulations to combat deforestation
From 30 December 2024, the EU is implementing regulations aimed at eliminating products originating from deforested areas. The new rules apply to a range of products, including:

• Cattle and products derived from cattle

• Cocoa

• Coffee

• Palm oil

• Rubber

• Soya

• 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 proof of the origin of raw materials and compliance with the new regulations.

• Amazon may request such proof, and failure to provide it may result in the deactivation of listings.

What must you do?

• Verify product origin – are the raw materials compliant with the new regulations?

• Monitor the supply chain – collaborate with certified suppliers.

• Prepare documentation – Amazon may request proof of compliance.

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

Summary
The year 2025 brings significant changes for sellers on Amazon. Simplification of insurance policy, the obligation to register batteries, new invoicing rules, regulations concerning plastic packaging, and the fight against deforestation – these are just some of them. Ignoring these changes could mean the suspension of listings or even a loss of access to the EU market. Do not leave anything to chance – act now to ensure a smooth start to the new year.