Certain electronics equipment, such as equipment deemed unlawful by Ofcom - opens in new window or tab in the UK and the Commission for Communication Regulations - opens in new window or tab in Ireland, can't be listed on eBay.
Also, eBay doesn't allow the sale of products that are mainly intended to record the private oral, wire or electronic conversations or activities of others without them knowing.
The use and sale of radio transmitting equipment (which broadly means any product that uses radio waves allocated to radio communication other than TV or radio receivers) is regulated under European law (the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) Directive), which applies in the UK and Ireland.
Detailed information about the legality of radio equipment in the UK is available on the Ofcom website - opens in new window or tab, or for Ireland from the Commission for Communication Regulation - opens in new window or tab. Specific UK regulations also apply to plugs, sockets, adaptors and fuse links. For more information on these regulations, please contact your local Trading Standards service - opens in new window or tab.
Sellers of electrical and electronics equipment also have certain other obligations, for example, under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2006. See the Additional information section for more details on WEEE.
What are the guidelines?
Additional information
WEEE Regulations
Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams and much of it can be recycled. To remind consumers that waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) can be recycled, all electrical items sold carry a 'crossed-out wheelie bin' symbol.
- In the UK: The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 ('WEEE Regulations') place certain obligations on all companies that manufacture, distribute, import or re-brand electrical and electronic equipment ('EEE') in the UK.
For more information, please read the BERR's fact sheet on distributors' obligations - opens in new window or tab.
- In Ireland: Since 2005, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations require that all producers of electronic and electrical equipment are obliged to pay for the recycling of household electrical goods - opens in new window or tab. These regulations require all retailers to actively assist in supporting WEEE management in Ireland by accepting a similar piece of WEEE when a customer buys a new electrical or electronic product.
For more information, please visit the Guidance and Downloads on the Environmental Protection Agency website - opens in new window or tab and EPA's guidance for internet sellers - opens in new window or tab.
If you are a business seller who sells EEE to consumers, you're considered a 'distributor' of EEE, and you must comply with these obligations:
Sellers on eBay.co.uk:
- Take back obligation - You must provide facilities for your customer to return old EEE free of charge on the purchase of a replacement item. You can do this by joining the Distributor Take-back Scheme (DTS) operated by Valpak - opens in new window or tab, which supports a network of collection facilities where consumers can return their WEEE; or by offering to take WEEE when consumers buy a replacement item from you.
- Obligation to inform consumers - You must make information available to consumers on how they can dispose of WEEE, and the environmental benefits of doing so. This can be achieved by, for example, including such information on your eBay store site, in your About Me page or in your listing. The DTS will provide its members with information in a standard format. You must keep records of how you provide this information.
Sellers on eBay.ie:
- Take back obligation - You must arrange for the free recycling of similar WEEE.
Why does eBay have this policy?
In order to follow the law and help prevent breaches of privacy, sellers can't list certain items on eBay. This information is not intended to be legal advice, but we hope it will help you trade safely on eBay. It is not an exhaustive list and seller will need to take steps to ensure their listing is lawful and does not infringe the copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property rights of third parties.
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.