Peptide Merchant Risk Guide

Purpose

This guide provides a structured framework for evaluating peptide merchants in the UK and EU markets, focusing on compliance, fraud prevention, and e-commerce risk management.

1. Legitimate Supplier Practices

• RUO Labelling: Products must be clearly marked: “For Research Use Only. Not for human or veterinary use.”
• No Health Claims: Marketing should avoid therapeutic, bodybuilding, anti‑ageing, or performance‑enhancing claims.
• Certificates of Analysis (COA): Batch documentation should be available, showing purity and laboratory testing.
• Transparent Supply Chain: Supplier provides lab address, contact details, and regulatory disclaimers.
• Segregated Categories: Peptides are listed under research chemicals or lab reagents, not supplements.
• Neutral Packaging: Products are shipped in plain laboratory vials, not consumer‑friendly supplement bottles.

2. Red Flags for Non‑Compliant Merchants

• Human Consumption Marketing: Claims such as “injectable,” “oral capsules,” “for bodybuilding,” or “for healing.”
• Dosage Instructions: Any mention of mg per day, injection protocols, cycles, or recommended use.
• Unapproved Peptides Sold as Supplements: Examples include BPC‑157, Melanotan II, CJC‑1295 marketed for personal use.
• No COA or Batch Information: Lack of documentation or vague “high purity” statements.
• Consumer Branding: Glossy packaging, lifestyle imagery, influencer endorsements.
• Stealth Shipping: Merchants offering disguised shipments to bypass customs.

3. Comparison Summary

Comparison of Legitimate Suppliers vs Non-Compliant Merchants

• Labelling
• Legitimate Supplier: Products are labelled “For Research Use Only (RUO)”.
• Non-Compliant Merchant: Products make claims such as “For human use”.
• Documentation
• Legitimate Supplier: Provides Certificates of Analysis (COA) and batch information.
• Non-Compliant Merchant: Offers no documentation or only vague claims about product purity.
• Marketing
• Legitimate Supplier: Uses neutral, laboratory-focused marketing language.
• Non-Compliant Merchant: Makes health or fitness claims, such as therapeutic, bodybuilding, or anti-ageing benefits.
• Packaging
• Legitimate Supplier: Ships products in laboratory vials.
• Non-Compliant Merchant: Uses supplement bottles and consumer-friendly packaging.
• Regulatory Stance
• Legitimate Supplier: Includes MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) or EMA (European Medicines Agency) disclaimers.
• Non-Compliant Merchant: Avoids regulatory language and disclaimers.

4. Risk Implications for Payment Providers

• Chargebacks: High risk of disputes from consumers misled by health claims.
• Regulatory Fines: MHRA or EMA penalties for marketing unapproved medicinal products.
• Card Scheme Penalties: Visa and Mastercard classify peptide merchants as high-risk.
• Fraud Signals: Mislabelling RUO peptides as supplements is common in high-risk e-commerce.

5. Actionable Steps for Compliance Teams

• Screen marketing language and flag merchants using therapeutic or bodybuilding claims.
• Require COA and batch traceability for peptide suppliers.
• Ensure products are shipped in laboratory vials, not supplement formats.
• Confirm lab addresses and regulatory disclaimers.
• Watch for stealth shipping practices.

6. Key Takeaway

Any peptide marketed for human consumption without MHRA or EMA approval is a major compliance red flag. Legitimate suppliers focus on RUO labelling, documentation, and transparency. Non-compliant merchants rely on consumer branding, health claims, and disguised shipping.