What does Amazon mean by a HACCP certificate?

A certificate for the business that makes your product, showing it has been audited against a HACCP-based food safety standard. A HACCP training certificate for one person is usually rejected.

Why was my HACCP certificate rejected by Amazon?

Usually because it was a personal training certificate, the scope didn't cover the manufacturer, site or product, or it had expired or couldn't be verified.

Do I need GFSI or HACCP certification to sell food on Amazon?

Amazon usually accepts either a GFSI-recognised certificate (such as BRCGS) or a HACCP certificate for the manufacturer. HACCP certification is usually quicker and more affordable for small businesses.

Amazon HACCP Certificate: What You NEED to Know!

When Amazon asks for a "HACCP certificate", it means a certificate for the business that makes your product, not a HACCP training certificate for a person. That mix-up is the most common reason sellers get rejected.

What does Amazon ask for?

Grocery & Gourmet Food is a restricted category. When a food listing is flagged, Amazon usually asks for one of two documents for the manufacturer:

A GFSI-recognised certificate, such as BRCGS Food Safety, FSSC 22000, SQF or IFS, or
A HACCP certificate showing that the business has been audited against a HACCP-based food safety standard.

Amazon also checks that the certificate's scope covers the products you're listing, so the company name, site and product types need to match.

Why was my HACCP certificate rejected?

It was a training certificate (HACCP Level 2 or 3) for a person, not a business certificate.
The scope didn't match: the manufacturer, site or product category on the certificate didn't cover the listing.
It had expired, or Amazon couldn't verify it.

GFSI or HACCP certification: which do I need?

GFSI schemes such as BRCGS are broad and demanding. Getting a site ready often takes six months or more. HACCP certification focuses on your HACCP plan and Good Manufacturing Practice, so it's usually quicker and more affordable for small manufacturers and brands. Choose GFSI if your retail customers require it.

How STC can help

STC certifies businesses to the STC HACCP & GMP Standard. So far, Amazon UK has accepted every STC certificate our clients have submitted. Amazon makes its own decision in each case, so we can't guarantee acceptance. The standard is STC's own scheme and isn't UKAS-accredited or GFSI-benchmarked.

No HACCP plan yet? Start with our free HACCP template, and train your team on HACCP & Food Safety Level 3.
Ready to be audited? Email [email protected] for a quote, or chat with us.

Selling dietary supplements on Amazon in the US? Amazon US needs GMP certification from its own list of approved organisations, so the STC certificate isn't accepted there.