2 min article

Product safety policy

Products that pose a health or safety hazard aren't allowed.

We strongly support the governmental agencies in their efforts to protect consumers against potentially hazardous products. Sellers aren't allowed to list items that are prohibited from being sold because of a recall. If an item can be legally sold but is subject to a recall, sellers must include appropriate information about the recall within the listing.

What are the guidelines?

Allowed

Items that are not currently subject to a recall by the manufacturer or another agency.

Restricted

Certain items have regulations for how they can be listed. The following types of items must comply with these safety standards:

Toy magnets with small pieces that can be swallowed or that may appeal to children are not allowed. Small magnets must only be listed as fasteners and listed in the Business & Industrial > Fasteners & Hardware > Magnets category
Laser pointers must have an output of 1mW or less and be a class 1M, 1C, 2/II, or 2M/IIM. Military, tactical, or "high powered" lasers are not allowed.
Smoke or carbon monoxide detectors must be from one of the approved brands. Unbranded and unsafe brands of smoke or carbon monoxide detectors are not allowed.
18650 batteries cannot be listed individually, as they are not intended for sale to consumers and can be potentially hazardous to consumers when handled, transported, stored or charged. 18650 batteries must be pre-installed
Products where the button battery is easily accessible are illegal. Button batteries are easily swallowed and can cause health issues or death. Please review the PAS 7055 outlining the safety requirements for button and coin batteries to ensure your products meet the safety standards before listing on eBay. For more information on button batteries, please visit the OPSS Guidance on Child Safety and the Button Battery Safety Campaign.
Products that require a CE Mark/UK CA Mark - opens in new window or tab need to bear a CE/UK CA Mark and the seller needs to have the required documentation available upon request.
Permitted lighters may be listed only if they are equipped with a child-resistant mechanism. See the Not allowed section below for examples of types of lighters you're not allowed to sell.
Business sellers are permitted to sell new hoverboards or self-balancing scooters that comply with applicable regulatory requirements and safety standards. Sellers need to include a clearly legible scan of the CE certificate that proves that the listed hoverboard complies with the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) in the item description.
Eligible sellers can list child car safety seats that comply with EU regulations and are appropriately labelled. You must indicate in your listing the car seat meets this standard. Used car seats are not allowed. See this link - opens in new window or tab for more information.
Eligible sellers can list cribs, and all cribs must comply with EU safety standards - opens in new window or tab. Sellers must state in the listing that the crib meets these standards. Cribs bumpers and used cribs are not allowed.
Eligible sellers can list new bicycle helmets. Used bicycle helmets are not allowed.

Not allowed

Products recalled by a manufacturer or another government agency.
Products whose sale is prohibited by law or regulation due to health & safety concerns.
Items that pose a health or safety hazard as specified by any government agency.
Products that don't comply with product safety laws. This includes but is not limited to the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), the Electrical Equipment (safety) Regulations 2016, the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the Cosmetic Directive 1223/2009.
Items that pose a health or safety hazard as specified by government agencies. We will remove listings at the request of government agencies.

Examples of items that aren't allowed include:

Private sellers are not allowed to offer hoverboards. In addition, used hoverboards are not permitted.
Lighters which breach EU or International regulations, including:
- Giant Lighters.
- Child appealing or novelty lighters. For a definition of novelty lighters please see Additional Information below.

Before you list an item, take a few minutes to check the manufacturer's website, the Safety Gate: Rapid Alert System website - opens in new window or tab and the OECD Global Recalls portal - opens in new window or tab to get information on recalled items. Sellers may also consult the UK Trading Standards Office - opens in new window or tab or National Consumer Agency - opens in new window or tab for Republic of Ireland members.

In addition, visit the BIS Business Companion - opens in new window or tab website for advice.

Current information about recalled products and products that pose health or safety hazards can be found on the following websites:

Please review and follow all applicable laws and regulations of the countries to which you deliver. To protect buyers and sellers, we will remove any item that is reported to us as recalled or otherwise unsafe from any of the regulatory authorities worldwide.

Buyers should also keep up-to-date about item recalls, especially for the kinds of items they often buy.

We recommend that sellers advise customers to register their gas or electrical appliances with the manufacturer so they can be informed of any important product safety updates.

If you sell domestic appliances such as washing machines, fridges or ovens, your UK customers can easily register these at the Register my appliance portal - opens in new window or tab. For more information, visit the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances website - opens in new window or tab.

Please see our Product Safety Guidance document - opens in new window or tab for more information.

Additional information

For more information about the ban of novelty lighters in the EU, visit: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/archive/cons_safe/prod_safe/gpsd/lighters/guidelines.pdf

Novelty lighters are defined as:

"A flame-producing product commonly used by consumers to ignite cigarettes, cigars and pipes, including any holder which can be incorporated later or any attachment which can be fixed later, that resembles by any means to another object commonly recognised as appealing to or intended for use by children younger than 51 months, or has entertaining audio effects or animated effects. A novelty lighter can operate on any fuel, including butane or liquid fuel. This includes, but is not limited to, lighters or holders that are clearly intended to hold lighters, the shape of which resembles cartoon characters, toys, guns, watches, telephones, musical instruments, vehicles, human body or parts of the human body, animals, food or beverages, or that play musical notes, or have flashing lights or moving objects or other entertaining features. This excludes lighters that are printed or decorated with logos, labels, decals, artwork or heat shrinkable sleeves."

Why does eBay have this policy?

Some laws and regulations don't allow the sale of recalled items.

Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.

Manufacturers or retailers can inform eBay about product safety recalls by sending an email to recalls@ebay.com and including specific information about the recalled product.

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