CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a final order requiring Amazon to implement remediation plans for hazardous products sold through its platform.

The order, which was effective Jan. 26, 2025, followed a unanimous Commission vote in July 2024 that determined Amazon is legally responsible as a “distributor” for defective products sold by third-party sellers using their “Fulfilled by Amazon” program.

RELATED: Amazon recall: Threat-to-life warning issued, items pulled nationwide

“In July 2024, the Commission determined in a unanimous vote that Amazon was a ‘distributor’ of certain products that are defective or fail to meet federal consumer product safety standards, and therefore bears legal responsibility for their recall,” the CPSC stated in its release.

Under the order, Amazon must issue full refunds to consumers who provide proof of destruction or disposal of affected products.

The company must also maintain recall information on its website for at least five years and submit monthly progress reports.

The action comes amid growing concerns about product safety in online marketplaces. The CPSC has already issued hundreds of recalls and safety warnings in 2025.

According to the Consumer Federation of America, nearly 66% of these recalls involve products from China, with 92% tied to major online platforms.

Amazon’s third-party marketplace, which accounted for 62% of units sold in Q4 2024, faces particular challenges. Rising fulfillment fees and compliance costs for sellers have increased from 19% of non-AWS revenue in 2019 to 29% in 2024, potentially creating pressures that could compromise product quality.

Experts note that selling healthcare products on Amazon is especially challenging “because of strict regulations, stock shortages, and tracking issues like expired or recalled items.”

The CPSC order establishes a precedent for holding e-commerce platforms accountable for hazardous products flowing through their supply chains, requiring more rigorous oversight of third-party sellers.

This is especially important information, given the impending holiday season.