Can Amazon Sellers Sell Feminine Hygiene Items?
Feminine hygiene products are big business. And for sellers, they can be quite profitable because they are needed on a regular and consistent basis. They are consumables.
On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be anything difficult about this sales category. In fact, when you go to the store to buy some feminine hygiene products, it’s not a challenging process. You find the aisle with the products you need and take whatever items you want from that shelf.
However, if you’re an Amazon seller trying to sell these same products, you will face restrictions, and require approval to sell.
That’s because Amazon is very strict about which feminine hygiene products can be sold on their website.
But why is this? What is it about these products that make Amazon so cautious?
Why Is Feminine Hygiene Gated on Amazon?
Feminine Hygiene products are a sub-category of the Health and Beauty category on Amazon.
And while you may be approved to sell certain items, and although other items may not need any approval, this specific sub-category does have restrictions.
Potential sellers must demonstrate complete adherence to all rules and regulations before being accepted as a seller of feminine hygiene.
FDA Regulations
Amazon is so strict about selling feminine hygiene products because of FDA regulations.
The FDA has a set of guidelines that all companies that sell these must follow. These rules are in place to ensure that the products are safe for use and meet specific quality standards.
As a company, Amazon wants to ensure that they comply with all FDA regulations. That’s why they have a team of experts who review every feminine hygiene product on their site. They remove a product from the site if it doesn’t meet its standards.
It’s not just Amazon who has to follow these rules. Any company that sells feminine hygiene products in the United States must adhere to FDA guidelines. Sellers on other platforms, such as eBay and Walmart, must follow these same rules.
Menstrual Products Are Medical Devices
You may not think about common pads and tampons in a medical sense, but a menstrual product is technically a medical device. That’s because it’s a device used to manage or treat a medical condition. Amazon requires that all sellers of medical devices follow federal, state and municipal laws, in addition to the FDA rulings. As such, these products must meet a higher standard than other items sold on Amazon.
Pre-Market FDA Review
All medical devices must go through a pre-market review process before you can sell them.
This is to ensure that the devices are safe and effective. Amazon conforms to all FDA approvals for the menstrual products they sell on their site.
There are three pre-market reviews for medical devices.
- The first is a 510(k) submission.
- The second is a De Novo submission. This is for products with no similar products on the market.
- The third is a pre-market approval (PMA). This is the most rigorous review for high-risk products.
Feminine hygiene products usually go through the 510(k) submission process. This is because there are already similar products on the market. The FDA then looks at the product’s design, intended use, and performance. They also compare it to other products on the market to ensure it’s safe and effective.
If you’re a seller on Amazon, you must have FDA approval before listing a feminine hygiene product for sale. You also need to have a registered device and a listing number.Feminine Items Involve Intimate Areas
Another reason Amazon is so strict when selling feminine hygiene products is because they involve intimate areas. These products are used in a sensitive part of a woman’s body. Because of this, there is a higher risk of infection or other complications.
Reviews have found dangerous chemicals in some feminine hygiene products, including phthalates, dioxins, triclosan, and furans. This is another reason the FDA regulates these products so closely, and Amazon is so cautious about selling them.Ilnesses Associated with Feminine Hygiene Products
There are also several illnesses associated with feminine hygiene products. These include toxic shock syndrome, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections. Obviously, Amazon needs to avoid any potential liability associated with these illnesses.
That’s why they only sell products that the FDA has approved.
Conclusion
While it may seem like Amazon is expecting quite a lot from sellers in order to sell in this sub-category, the truth is they are looking out for the well-being and safety of all females that may buy from the platform . There are a lot of risks associated with feminine hygiene products. Thus, by creating and enforcing specific restrictions and protocols, Amazon is helping to keep women safe from dangerous or harmful goods.
