Amazon now requires all non-GMO claims for dietary supplements to be substantiated. Acceptable supporting evidence may include a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or certification issued under an Amazon-recognized third-party program such as IGEN™. Without valid substantiation, brands risk having ‘non-GMO’ claims removed, product listings suppressed or products removed from sale. For brands selling dietary supplements on Amazon, it is therefore important to identify an efficient way to meet these requirements while minimizing delays and administrative burdens.
PCR or certification?
While Amazon accepts both seller-supplied PCR testing and third-party certification as valid evidence of non-GMO claim substantiation, these two options offer very different operational and commercial outcomes for brands.
PCR testing provides point-in-time verification and places ongoing responsibility on the brand, including managing documents, maintaining records and ensuring substantiation remains current as products, suppliers and formulations evolve. As a result, PCR testing typically serves as standalone evidence of non-GMO status, without delivering additional program or marketing benefits.
Certification programs, by contrast, provide a more comprehensive, structured framework that supports substantiation requirements while offering ongoing oversight, consumer-facing recognition, and broader marketing value beyond Amazon compliance. Depending on the program, certification may also streamline enrollment and create recognizable trust signals that strengthen consumer confidence and brand positioning.
Why choose IGEN
Launched in 2016, the International Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Evaluation and Notification Program (IGEN) offers a streamlined, efficient pathway for substantiating non-GMO claims, with a typical turnaround time of approximately 10 business days. The program has more than 1,050 certified products and provides substantiation for non-GMO claims through a rigorous testing and certification process. Once the applicable IGEN requirements have been met, products and ingredients receive the ‘Non-GMO Tested’ certification.
The certification process follows a simple three-step approach. After enrollment, products are submitted to SGS Nutrasource for testing and analysis, with certification granted once program requirements are successfully met. This streamlined process can be particularly valuable for brands responding to marketplace requests or tight compliance timelines.
IGEN certification also provides added commercial advantages beyond standalone PCR testing. These include access to the IGEN certification logo and brand guidelines, which can be applied across packaging, websites, listings and marketing materials. All IGEN-certified brands and products are also featured in SGS Nutrasource’s consumer-facing directory, which attracts approximately 350,000 users annually, enhancing visibility and providing consumers with a trusted resource for discovering verified products. The IGEN logo is recognized by leading retailers and can help brands communicate transparency and differentiate their products to consumers.
Applicable to brands of all sizes, IGEN provides a cost-effective and efficient solution for substantiating non-GMO claims. Its rapid turnaround time, structured certification process and added commercial benefits make it a practical alternative to standalone PCR testing.
Amazon’s requirement for non-GMO claim substantiation reflects a broader industry focus on transparency and evidence‑based claims. IGEN combines an efficient pathway to claim substantiation with additional commercial and trust-building benefits, helping brands address marketplace requirements while supporting visibility and differentiation.
Brands looking to strengthen substantiation of their non-GMO claims can learn more about IGEN on the SGS Nutrasource website.
For further information, please contact:
Elisa Fernandez
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
SGS Nutrasource
t: +519 341 3367
About SGS Nutrasource
SGS Nutrasource is a leading nutraceutical and pharmaceutical life sciences company focused on helping clients commercialize health and wellness products. In addition to clinical trial management, strategic and regulatory support services and a state-of-the-art clinical trial site, SGS Nutrasource offers a series of third-party natural ingredient product certification programs (NutraStrong™, IFOS™, IKOS™, IAOS™, IGEN™, IPRO™ and Radioactivity Tested & Certified™).
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
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