swim vest wrongly identified as a life vest
We have been trying to get our product unrestricted. We believe Amazon is wrongly categorizing our product as a life vest. We have 2 test reports from Intertek stating our product is a swimming aid (BS EN 13138-1 Buoyant aids for swimming instruction) and not a life vest. We are in a loop and keep getting the same answer every time we upload our documents, which is to provide the relevant documents. We are providing the relevant documents but they get rejected with no explanation to which document is causing the issue. We already sell an variation of this product that only differs in pattern design so this makes it even more frustrating. We just need someone to get this sorted out for us.
28 replies
Spencer_Amazon
Hello @Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE,
Can you share a case ID with me? I gladly look into it.
Regards, Spencer
Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE
Hi Spencer, this is our original post from 3 months ago.
We have been trying to get our product unrestricted. We believe Amazon is wrongly categorizing our product as a life vest. We have 2 test reports from Intertek stating our product is a swimming aid (BS EN 13138-1 Buoyant aids for swimming instruction) and not a life vest. We are in a loop and keep getting the same answer every time we upload our documents, which is to provide the relevant documents. We are providing the relevant documents but they get rejected with no explanation to which document is causing the issue. We already sell an variation of this product that only differs in pattern design so this makes it even more frustrating. We just need someone to get this sorted out for us.
Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE
We do really appreciate your help @Spencer_Amazon but it is very frustrating that 3 months later and our product is still stuck in under review.
Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE
This ASIN has zero compliance issues in seller central.
Spencer_Amazon
Hello @Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE,
This is the latest information I received.
The SP has already submitted documents for this ASIN which were rejected due to missing documentation mentioned below and the SP has received the following response clarifying next steps:
"(a) EC type-examination certificate showing that the product complies with the regulations, standards, and requirements listed below. It can be obtained from the manufacturer, brand owner, the importer, or the authorized representative.
- Directive 2016/425
- BS EN 12402-5 (Personal flotation devices Part 5: Buoyancy aids (level 50) – Safety requirements)
- BS EN 13138-1 Buoyant aids for swimming instruction – Part 1: Safety requirements and test methods for buoyant aids to be worn
*as applicable*"
Please advise the SP to submit the missing documentation following the steps mentioned below:
- Select the Performance tab and choose Account Health.
- Under Manage your compliance in the bottom right corner, click Product Compliance Requests.
- To add compliance or appeal for a product, click Add/Appeal Compliance.
- Provide compliance documents and information in the Provide Documents section, or provide appeal information in the Appeal Request section.
- Click Submit for Approval to send your submission for review by Amazon.
Please check again for me, if you are sure you have sent this information already, I will relay this to my contact.
Regards, Spencer
Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE
@Spencer_Amazon we have submitted those documents at least 4 times minus BS EN 12402-5 as our product does not require this classification . Our product is a childs swim vest for swim instruction aid and does not require BS EN 12402-5 (Personal flotation devices Part 5: Buoyancy aids (level 50) – Safety requirements) i believe our product must be getting rejected because we are not submitting documents for BS EN 12402-5.
We need clarification of what document they say we are not providing as i have already said we do not require BS EN 12402-5 for children under 8 years of age buoyant aids for swimming instruction
a child’s swim vest that complies with BS EN 13138-1 does not need to comply with BS EN 12402-5, because they are two different product categories with different intended uses.
🔍 Explanation:
🔹 BS EN 13138-1
Applies to buoyant aids for swimming instruction (e.g., swim vests, armbands, belts).
Intended to help children learn to swim.
Designed for close supervision by a competent adult.
Not intended for life-saving or survival in open water.
✅ Examples:
Swim vests for toddlers
Armbands
Swim belts
🔹 BS EN 12402-5
Applies to Level 50 buoyancy aids, designed for competent swimmers.
Intended for use in calm, sheltered waters (e.g., kayaking, sailing).
Not suitable for non-swimmers or children without supervision.
✅ Examples:
Buoyancy aids for teenagers or adults in water sports
Level 50N flotation jackets
🚫 Why You Shouldn’t Mix the Two
BS EN 12402-5 products must meet different testing standards, durability, and performance criteria (e.g., for older children or adults in sports environments).
Swim vests for swimming instruction fall under BS EN 13138-1, not as personal protective equipment (PPE) for flotation or survival.
Mislabeling a training aid as a Level 50N flotation device could be dangerous and non-compliant.
📌 Summary
Standard Intended For Suitable for Swim Vest?
BS EN 13138-1 Swim instruction aids (for children) ✅ Yes
BS EN 12402-5 Buoyancy aids for competent swimmers in sports ❌ No
If you are preparing documentation for Amazon, a Declaration of Conformity referencing BS EN 13138-1 is correct for a child’s swim vest used for instruction or water confidence.
Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE
@Spencer_Amazon i have re uploaded the documents with this message.
We would like to clarify that our product is a children’s swim vest designed and certified for use as a buoyant aid for swimming instruction, not as a Level 50 buoyancy aid or life jacket.
Accordingly, our product has been tested and certified under the appropriate standard:
BS EN 13138-1:2021 – Buoyant aids for swimming instruction – Part 1: Safety requirements and test methods for buoyant aids to be worn
The test report from Intertek and our Declaration of Conformity clearly reference this standard. BS EN 12402-5, which applies to Level 50N buoyancy aids (used in boating and water sports by competent swimmers), is not applicable to our product type.
We kindly ask for a manual review of our case and confirmation that the correct product classification has been applied.
Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE
@Spencer_Amazonrejected again.
Dear Selling Partner,
Thank you for your interest in listing your products on Amazon.
Please be informed that without providing the requested documents, we will not be able to move forward with the approval process.
If you are unable to provide the required compliance information as outlined below, your application will be resolved without further communication:
(a) EC type-examination certificate showing that the product complies with the regulations, standards, and requirements listed below. It can be obtained from the manufacturer, brand owner, the importer, or the authorized representative.
• Directive 2016/425
• BS EN 12402-5 (Personal flotation devices Part 5: Buoyancy aids (level 50) – Safety requirements)
• BS EN 13138-1 Buoyant aids for swimming instruction – Part 1: Safety requirements and test methods for buoyant aids to be worn
Spencer_Amazon
Hello @Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE,
I reopened the case I have with our partner team and posted your comments.
Regards, Spencer
Spencer_Amazon
Hello @Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE,
I received the final reply from our partner team.
- Please be informed that this/these ASIN has been identified as a Life Jackets and Buoyancy Aid and is subject to compliance requirements.
- Please advise the seller that only EC Type-Examination Certificates will be accepted and to submit the missing documentation following the steps mentioned below:
They request you submit the documents as requested in case: 10141316772..
Regards, Spencer
Seller_lYiQ5ZvMVCzzE
@Spencer_AmazonThey are not life jackets our whole point is that they are being wrongly classed as Life Jackets and level 50 Buoyancy Aid. Our product is a children’s swim vest designed and certified for use as a buoyant aid for swimming instruction, not as a Level 50 buoyancy aid or life jacket.
Accordingly, our product has been tested and certified under the appropriate standard:
BS EN 13138-1:2021 – Buoyant aids for swimming instruction – Part 1: Safety requirements and test methods for buoyant aids to be worn
The test report from Intertek and our Declaration of Conformity clearly reference this standard. BS EN 12402-5, which applies to Level 50N buoyancy aids (used in boating and water sports by competent swimmers), is not applicable to our product type.
