Supplementary Notes on the Rules for Listing Epidemic Prevention Products on AliExpress
Dear AliExpress sellers,
To improve the overall product quality and shopping experience on AliExpress and make it easier for you to understand the platform's epidemic prevention product control rules, we have added the following supplementary notes in compliance with relevant laws and market regulations:
I. Product categorization
1. According to the rules in force, medical masks (classified as medical devices) must be released under the category:
Beauty & Health>> Health Care >> Household Health Monitors >> Medical Masks
2. Non-medical protective masks are strictly forbidden to be released under the categories other than the following four categories:
Beauty & Health>> Health Care>> Personal Health Care>> Masks（None Medical）
Security & Protection>> Workplace Safety Supplies>> Masks>> Protective Mask
Security & Protection>> Workplace Safety Supplies>> Masks>> Dust Mask
Mother & Kids>> Baby Care>> Baby Health Care>> Baby Protective Mask
Note: It is forbidden to display masks for adults under "Baby Protective Mask". Any violation counts as wrong categorization and incurs penalties.
II. Product listing
1. Medical Masks
(1) When listing medical masks, sellers should enter or upload product qualifications. Such qualifications vary across markets:
· Medical masks made in China must obtain a registration number for Class II devices from the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) (mandatory)
· Medical masks sold to the EU require CE marking (optional)
· Medical masks sold to the US require FDA approval (optional)
· Medical masks sold to South Korea require MFDS approval (optional)
(2) When listing medical masks, sellers should put the following statement on the product detail page:
Please be kindly note:
- Listed product is produced and distributed abroad and subject to the laws of its country of origin.
- You may purchase the products for personal use only.
(3) FAQ about qualification submission: https://sell.aliexpress.com/__pc/LfHYeAD1WC.htm
2. Non-medical protective masks
(1) Do not list non-medical protective masks under the "Medical Masks" category. Do not describe any medical use. Select the country of origin, safety standard, protection level, and other attributes based on the product. When listing protective masks, sellers must select the protection level and upload product qualifications as follows:
· KN90/95/100 masks require a test report issued by a CNAS-accredited laboratory which proves the masks meet the GB2626 standard (optional)
· FFP1/2/3 masks or those sold to the EU require CE marking (optional)
· N95/99/100, R95, and P95/99/100 respirators require a test report issued by NIOSH (optional)
· KF94 masks require a test report that proves they meet the KS M 6673 standard (optional)
(2) When listing ordinary non-medical masks, sellers should put the following statement on the product detail page:
- Please note: the listed product is produced and distributed abroad and subject to the laws of its country of origin.
3. Others
(1) It is forbidden to sell non-compliant medical/antiviral products on the platform. For the sake of consumer experience, sellers of epidemic prevention products need to ensure their products are of high quality and purchase the products through legitimate channels;
(2) Sellers are forbidden to list and sell any product whose descriptions contain the word COVID-19 or carry any indication of the virus. Sellers shall not post any texts, images, or videos explicitly or implicitly containing the word "COVID-19" (in any languages), or its variants, acronyms, abbreviations, and code names in any parts of the platform, such as the product information pages (including but not limited to product titles, rules, attributes, photos, and detail descriptions) and store information (including but not limited to banners, store introductions, and contacts). Meanwhile, the texts, images, and videos posted by the sellers shall not include any description, publicity, or implication of product usage for prevention and treatment of, testing and cure for, and immunity to COVID-19, not to mention any exaggerated/false description of product standards and effects. For example, descriptions containing such words as antivirus, virus, coronavirus, COVID-19, 2019-nCoV, and SARS-CoV-2, or with geographically or racially biased wording;
(3) It is forbidden to put ordinary masks and professional protective masks under the same URL and list them using the same SKU. The platform will intensify its efforts to punish such fraudulent listing;
(4) It is forbidden to falsely add a protection level when listing ordinary masks. These masks may not be described as medical masks or using terms like N95/99/100, KN90/95/100, and FFP1/2/3, etc;
(5) It is forbidden to market epidemic prevention products, including masks, thermometers, oxygen generators, oximeters, respirators, glucometers, hand sanitizers/disinfectants, protective clothing, goggles, gloves, wipes, and face shields, by unfair methods of competition, including but not limited to selling products at ultra-low or ultra-high prices;
(6) It is forbidden to use epidemic information to introduce or recommend a product, including but not limited to sales promotion by presenting consumers masks or other epidemic prevention products.
III. Violations and punishments
1. If a product is found to have been improperly listed for the first time, the platform will take it down. In case of a repeated violation, the platform will delete the product. In case of a severe violation, the platform will directly delete the product.
2. If a product is found to have been listed under an incorrect category, the penalties are as follows: If a medical mask is not listed under Medical Masks, the product will be taken down for further editing for the first violation and deleted for the second violation.
3. If the product qualifications are fraudulent, the platform will mete out punishments to the store concerned, including but not limited to (i) returning the product or deleting the product information; (ii) restricting listing of the product; (iii) temporarily freezing the AliExpress/payment account; and (iv) closing the AliExpress account. For users whose AliExpress accounts are closed, AliExpress has the right to prevent the user from signing up for AliExpress again.
Reminder: Sellers are advised to check the product qualifications before listing to avoid punishments due to non-compliance. The relevant official databases that are open to public access include but are not limited to:
1) List of notified bodies for CE marking:
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=notifiedbody.main，
Please ensure the bodies have the regulatory authority (see 93/42/EEC Medical Devices, Regulation (EU) 2016/425 - Personal Protective Equipment, etc.)
2) FDA's database of listed devices: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRL/rl.cfm
3) Registered Chinese medical devices:
4) CNAS accredited institutions for mask testing: https://www.cnas.org.cn/english/photonews/03/902316.shtml
5) List of NIOSH-approved N95 respirators: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/n95list1.html
IV. Miscellaneous
For instructions for delivery and performance assessment for epidemic prevention products, see (0331 Important Update) Announcement on Tightened Control of Epidemic Prevention Products on AliExpress.
Stores engaged in severe violations of the platform regulations will be penalized in accordance with the AliExpress Rules on Handling Severe Disruption of Platform Order:
Serious violation: 12 points/time, freezing the AliExpress account for seven days
Extremely Serious violation: 48 points/time, closing the AliExpress account
For more information about penalties for disrupting platform order, see the following rules:
Analysis of Search Cheating Cases and Penalty Rules
AliExpress Rules on Handling Severe Disruption of Platform Order
For AliExpress announcements on the epidemic, view Country-specific Sales Bans and Restrictions During the Pandemic (Constantly Updated).
Thank you for your understanding. AliExpress appreciates your continued support and trust amid the coronavirus outbreak.
AliExpress
April 16, 2020