This article is intended as a practical guide for sellers to address common product safety questions. Sellers are ultimately responsible for the safety and compliance of their products.
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What are some best practices to make sure that the sexual wellness products I sell are safe to use?
By their nature, sexual wellness products are likely to be used around sensitive parts of the body. This means that it is important to make sure that the materials you use will not irritate or damage the skin. Some materials, like latex and nickel, are known to cause allergic reactions for some consumers. Therefore, it is important to either avoid using such materials, or to make sure that you clearly list potential allergens in your listing. It is also important to make sure that your products are carefully crafted or manufactured. Make sure that your products are made and packaged in a clean environment, where they will not be contaminated by substances that can harm your consumers. Additionally, it is important to make sure that your products are well constructed. Rough surfaces, sharp points or edges, or poor construction of sexual wellness products could lead to serious injury.
How can I help ensure that the sexual wellness products I sell are used safely?
Sexual wellness products that are used incorrectly can injure consumers, especially because they are likely to be used around sensitive parts of the body. Additionally, some products, like BDSM products that involve restraints, sensory deprivation, or infliction of pain, can be dangerous if misused. You should make sure that your listing provides potential purchasers with enough information to understand whether this is the right product for them. You should provide clear instructions on how to use your products safely, and complete warnings relating to potential hazards. If your products should not be used by novices, or without supervision, you should make that clear in your listing. We encourage you to communicate openly with potential purchasers so that they can use your products safely and in the way they are meant to be used.
Are there any specific safety requirements that apply to the sexual wellness products I am selling?
Some sexual wellness products may be subject to specific regulatory requirements because they are categorized as regulated products such as medical devices, cosmetics, food, or apparel. It is your responsibility to make sure that you fully understand and follow all regulatory requirements that apply to your products. We reserve the right to remove listings of products that do not comply with applicable laws and regulations or that otherwise violate Etsy’s Prohibited Items Policy.
Words by Etsy Staff
