What Is the SDS File Required by Amazon?

Recently, many Amazon sellers have reported receiving notifications from the platform requesting the submission of a CheMICal Safety & Compliance (CSC) document.

On seller forums, some sellers mentioned that their products had been selling normally on the platform for more than two years without any previous issues, yet they suddenly received a verification notice from Amazon.

The core requirement in this notice is to provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

What Is an SDS File?

SDS stands for Safety Data Sheet, a legally requiRED document provided by chemical manufacturers, traders, and sellers to downstream customers and the public.

It describes the comprehensive characteristics of a chemical product.

The primary purpose of an SDS is to ensure safety throughout the entire lifecycle of a chemical—from production, transportation, storage, usage, to emergency handling.

An SDS contains 16 standard sectionscovering essential safety information.

Which Amazon Products and Marketplaces Require an SDS?

2.1 Product Categories Requiring SDS

Not all products require an SDS. However, categories containing chemical ingredients or posing potential safety risks are closely monitored by Amazon.

Key categories include:

- Chemical Products: cleaners, glues, paints, solvents, inks

- Beauty & Personal Care: cosmetics, hair dyes, nail polish, perfumes

- Automotive Supplies: engine oil, brake fluid, antifreeze, car cleaners

- Office & School Supplies: correction fluid, marker inks, watercolor paints

- Disinfectants: laundry detergent, herbicides, disinfectant sprays, bleach

- Batteries: lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries

- Flammable/Explosive Items: aerosol cans, scented candles, alcohol-based products

2.2 Amazon Marketplaces Requiring SDS

RegULations vary by country/region. Below are Amazon’s key SDS requirements:

- United States: Beauty/personal care, cleaning products, and batteries containing hazardous chemicals must provide an SDS. Dangerous goods (e.g., lithium batteries, flammable/explosive items) are strictly required to submit SDS.

- European Union: All chemical-containing products must comply with REACHand CLPregulations. SDS must be provided in the local sales language (e.g., German, French).

- United Kingdom: Hazardous chemicals requiring ukca certificationmust provide SDS.

- Canada: Products containing chemical ingredients (e.g., cosmetics, cleaning products) must provide SDS.

- Japan: Products containing chemical ingredients may require SDS depending on product type and local regulations.

How to Resolve Amazon SDS Upload Requests

If you receive an SDS request from Amazon, you can choose one of the following four solutions based on your product situation:

Solution 1: Apply for “Dangerous Goods Exemption” (for Non-Dangerous Products)

Applicable to: Products incorrectly classified as hazardous but containing no dangerous ingredients.

Steps:

1. Log in to Amazon Seller Central and download the Dangerous Goods Exemption Form.

2. Accurately complete the form with true product information.

3. Upload the completed form to the designated Amazon page.

4. Wait for Amazon’s review. If approved, the product will be reclassified as non-dangerous and can continue selling.

Note: If the product does not qualify for exemption, Amazon will not provide an exemption option—you must either submit an appealor upload an SDS.

Solution 2: Submit an Appeal for Non-Chemical Products

Applicable to: Products with no chemical components that were mistakenly flagged.

Steps:

1. Submit an appeal directly in Seller Central or open a case with Amazon Seller Support.

2. Provide supporting evidence such as a product ingredient list or quality inspection reports.

3. Wait for Amazon’s review (appeals may be rejected or Amazon may still require an SDS).

Solution 3: Request an Existing SDS from the Supplier

Applicable to: Products whose suppliers have export qualifications (e.g., products intended for overseas markets).

Risk Tip: Ensure that the supplier’s SDS matches your Amazon store information (company name, product details). Mismatched information can cause review failure.

Solution 4: Have a Third-Party Agency Prepare a Compliant SDS

Applicable to: Products without an available SDS or when you need a 100% Amazon-compliant SDS.

It is recommended to use an officially recognized agency(such as JJR) to prepare the SDS.

Ensure that the company and product details on the SDS match your Amazon store records to improve approval rates.

SDS Preparation Process and Compliance Tips

4.1 Standard Preparation Process (Example: JJR)

1. Fill out an SDS Application Form(accurately provide product name, ingredients, usage, etc.).

2. Provide supporting documents such as a product ingredient list or specification sheet.

3. The agency drafts the SDS for seller confirmation.

4. After confirmation, the agency issues the official SDS (compliant and ready for Amazon upload).

4.2 Key Compliance Considerations

The compliance of an SDS directly impacts Amazon’s approval outcome.

Choose an agency that is stable, officially recognized, and internationally accreditedto avoid file rejection.

- Full Accreditation: Agencies with a global lab network can issue sds reports recognized internationally and compliant with Amazon regulations for all marketplaces.

- Comprehensive Services: In addition to SDS preparation, some agencies also provide EU EPR registration, EU VAT registration, and various product testing certifications to ensure full compliance.

- Risk Management: Properly matching the target marketplace’s regulations reduces the complexity of multi-country compliance and lowers the risk of review failure.

For more details on SDS compliance or to avoid sales risks, sellers can contact a JJR account manager or obtain one-on-one guidance through official service channels.