Upcoming regulations that will impact online sales

The year 2025 brings significant regulatory changes for sellers operating on Amazon. The new rules cover aspects such as insurance, producer liability, and environmental protection standards. Ignoring these changes may result in sales restrictions or even offer suspensions. Ensure compliance now!

1. New Seller Liability Insurance Rules

From January 2025, Amazon will simplify insurance requirements by removing the obligation to name the platform as an additional insured. This means fewer formalities, but also greater responsibility – sellers must now independently inform Amazon of any changes or expiration of their policy.

Who is affected by these changes?
The requirement to hold liability insurance applies to sellers who exceed specified gross sales thresholds in a given month. These thresholds differ depending on the country:

• Poland: 22,500 PLN
• Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the 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, the seller has 30 days to purchase appropriate insurance coverage.

What are the consequences of not having insurance?
The lack of a valid policy may result in the suspension of the seller’s account. Amazon focuses on transparency, so ensure all data is accurate and up to date.

Policy requirements
The policy must meet certain criteria:

• Scope of coverage: responsibility for the products sold, bodily injuries, and risks related to activity on the platform.
• Data consistency: the data on the policy must match the data on the seller’s Amazon account.

2. New EU Regulations on Batteries

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

Key changes:

• Carbon footprint calculation – each battery must be documented to indicate its environmental impact.
• Targets for collecting used batteries: specific targets have been set for producers regarding the collection of used portable batteries:
  • 63% by 2027
  • 73% by 2030
• Minimum recycled content: industrial batteries and batteries for vehicles and machines must meet minimum levels of recycled materials:
  • 16% cobalt
  • 85% lead
  • 6% lithium
  • 6% nickel
• Reporting and recycling – regular reporting of the quantities 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 established:
  • 80% for nickel-cadmium batteries
  • 50% for other used batteries

What does this mean for sellers?
Sellers of batteries in the EU must adapt to these new requirements, which include:

• Registration – notifying relevant national authorities or a producer responsibility organization (PRO).
• Reporting – regularly reporting the number of batteries placed on the market.
• Labeling – batteries must carry labels regarding their carbon footprint and recycled content.
• Cooperation with a PRO – ensuring appropriate collection and recycling processes.

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

3. New Invoice Number Format in Amazon’s System

From January 1, 2025, invoice numbers in VAT Calculation Services will be shortened to 14 characters, aiming to streamline accounting document management for Amazon Business customers. Invoice numbers will be unique and sequential. For sellers, this means adjusting accounting systems and reports.

Why is this important?
Shortening the numbering will facilitate document handling, but any changes in invoicing require verification with internal systems. Check this before year’s end to avoid errors and downtime in accounting.

Example of the new invoice number format:
GB41WMTXK60R5I

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

4. New EPR Regulations for Single-Use Plastic Packaging in Germany

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

How to meet the requirements?

• Brand and product category registration: a producer based in Germany must register its brands in the relevant single-use plastic categories on the German Environment Agency’s Single-Use Plastics Fund (DIVID) platform.
• Submitting registration numbers: after registration, submit the registration numbers for each brand and product type combination through the Amazon Compliance Portal in the Account Health > Policy Compliance > Regulatory Compliance section.
• Reporting and fees: from 2025, you must annually report the types and quantities of single-use plastic products sold and pay the applicable environmental fees.

For sellers outside Germany:
If you are not based in Germany but sell products there, you must register through DIVID, appoint an authorized representative to meet EPR requirements, and follow the steps above.

Failing to meet these requirements may result in the deactivation of listings on Amazon.de. It is crucial that sellers familiarize themselves with the new regulations and take appropriate action to ensure compliance. Amazon enforces these new rules, so acting proactively is advisable.

5. New Deforestation Prevention Regulations

From December 30, 2024, the EU is implementing regulations to eliminate products deriving from areas affected by deforestation. The new rules apply to a range of products, including:

• Cattle and cattle-derived products
• Cocoa
• Coffee
• Palm oil
• Rubber
• Soy
• Wood products

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

Requirements for sellers:
Sellers must ensure their products do not contribute to deforestation. This may include providing evidence of raw material origins and compliance with the new regulations. Amazon may request such documentation, and failure to provide it may result in listing deactivation.

What must you do?

• Verify the source of your products – are raw materials compliant with the new regulations?
• Monitor the supply chain – work with certified suppliers.
• Prepare documentation – Amazon may request proof of compliance.

If you do not meet these requirements, your products may be removed from the EU market. Therefore, do not delay – it’s better to start preparations now.

Summary
The year 2025 brings crucial changes for Amazon sellers. Simplified insurance policies, battery registration obligations, new invoice rules, single-use plastic packaging regulations, and deforestation prevention efforts are just some of them. Ignoring these changes could lead to listing suspensions or even loss of access to the EU market. Leave nothing to chance – take action now to ensure a smooth start to the new year.