Core Issue: What Are the Report Statuses?

Common status markings in compliance reports include ‘valid’, ‘invalid’, and ‘updated’. These statuses are typically marked by testing laboratories after report issuance based on factors such as validity period, standard changes, or product changes. When preparing platform review documents, sellers first need to understand the basic meaning of these statuses in order to determine whether a report is still appropriate for the current product.

Meaning and Applicable Conditions of ‘Valid’ Status

When a report is marked as ‘valid’, it generally means that at the time of issuance, the report complied with the applicable test standards, regulatory versions, and product descriptions, and no changes affecting the conclusions have occurred within the stated timeframe. For example, a GB 6675.1-2014 test report for a children’s toy may still be marked valid if the testing laboratory has not issued an update notice. However, validity does not guarantee platform acceptance; during platform review, the product name, model, images, applicable regulations, and report content will be cross-checked.

Common Reasons for ‘Invalid’ Status

Common reasons for a report being marked ‘invalid’ include: standards have been updated (e.g., from old version EN 71-1 to a new version), significant product information changes (e.g., material, structure, function), the report validity period has expired (if the regulation or platform has a clear time requirement), or the testing laboratory discovered an error during internal review and revoked the original report. An invalid report is generally not recommended for new platform review submissions, but some platforms may still accept a report issued during a transition period of an old standard if the product remains unchanged — subject to platform rules.

Meaning of ‘Updated’ Status and Version Management

‘Updated’ means that part or all of the original report has been replaced by a new version, which often includes a changed report number, issuance date, or conclusion. An update may result from a standard revision, errata, or additional testing. In such cases, sellers should prioritize the updated report and verify whether the updated product model and applicable regulations remain consistent with the original product. If the product category or test items change after the update, the report coverage must be reassessed.

Impact of Report Status on Platform Review

When reviewing compliance documents, platforms pay attention to the completeness, consistency, and timeliness of reports. A ‘valid’ report status helps improve the smoothness of document matching, but the platform may still request supplementary documents (e.g., DoC, CPC document, product packaging photos). For reports with ‘invalid’ or ‘updated’ status, the platform may ask for the latest version or an explanation for using the old version. Before submission, sellers should carefully verify that the product name, model, and standard number in the report match the uploaded product or listing information, and retain the original report and change explanations in case the platform requests additional evidence.

Common Misunderstandings

Misunderstanding 1: A valid report means the product is compliant. In fact, report status only reflects the report itself and cannot replace actual product compliance assessment; a comprehensive evaluation based on applicable regulations, target market requirements, and platform rules is necessary. Misunderstanding 2: An invalid report is completely unusable. During some transition periods or under specific platform rules, if the standard was still valid when the report was issued and the product has not changed, the platform may still accept it. Misunderstanding 3: An updated report is more likely to pass review. Whether an updated report is more favourable depends on whether the updates cover the platform’s review concerns, not simply a version upgrade.

Next Steps

Sellers are advised to regularly check the ‘status’ and ‘coverage’ of their reports. When preparing platform compliance documents, in addition to the report, documents such as product instructions, label samples, and declarations of conformity (e.g., DoC or CPC document) should also be prepared. If there are questions regarding report status and applicability, professional testing and certification bodies can be consulted for report evaluation services. The final platform review result is subject to platform rules and the actual submitted content. This article serves only as a reference for document preparation and does not constitute a guarantee of platform acceptance.