Why Amazon is asking suppliers for ISO certification

If you supply goods or services via Amazon, you may have been asked to demonstrate certification to one or more ISO management system standards. For many sellers, this request raises immediate questions, particularly around what is actually required and how to approach certification correctly.

This article explains why Amazon is asking for ISO certification, what it typically means in practice, and what suppliers should consider before taking any action.

Amazon’s supply chain expectations

Amazon operates complex, global supply chains and relies heavily on third-party sellers. To manage risk and maintain consistency across these supply chains, Amazon increasingly expects suppliers to demonstrate that key business processes are independently assessed against recognised international standards.

ISO certification provides Amazon with assurance that a supplier has formal systems in place to manage areas such as quality, information security, environmental impact, and health & safety.

Which ISO standards might Amazon refer to?

Depending on the nature of your business and the risks associated with your products or services, Amazon may ask for certification to one or more of the following standards:

• ISO 9001 – Quality Management

• ISO 14001 – Environmental Management

• ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety

• ISO/IEC 27001 – Information Security

Not every Amazon seller will require certification, and not every standard will be relevant. Understanding which standard applies to your activities is a critical first step.

What Amazon means by “accredited” ISO certification

A common point of confusion is the difference between accredited and non-accredited ISO certificates.

Accredited certification means that the certification body issuing the certificate is itself independently accredited by a recognised accreditation body, such as UKAS in the UK.

This accreditation provides confidence that audits are carried out competently, impartially, and in line with international requirements.

Not all ISO certificates are accredited, and this distinction matters - particularly where Amazon has specified accredited certification.

Common mistakes Amazon suppliers make

When suppliers are under pressure to respond quickly, we often see the same issues arise:

• Purchasing non-accredited certificates that are later rejected

• Choosing the wrong ISO standard for their business activities

• Rushing into certification without understanding what is involved

• Implementing systems that don’t reflect how the business actually operates

These issues can result in wasted time, unnecessary cost, and further delays.

Taking a structured approach

ISO certification is not an instant process. It requires effective implementation of a management system that reflects how your business operates and meets the requirements of the relevant standard.

For Amazon suppliers, the most effective approach is to:

• confirm whether certification is actually required,

• identify the correct standard and scope, and

• prepare your systems before engaging with an independent certification body.

  
  

Support for Amazon suppliers

We support Amazon sellers through the ISO implementation process, from understanding requirements through to preparation for accredited certification.

If you’ve been asked by Amazon to provide ISO certification, or you’re unsure what is being requested, you can find more information about our Amazon Supplier ISO Support service here:

Amazon Supplier ISO Support