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Product safety policy

To keep buyers safe, we partner with global safety agencies to remove unsafe or non-compliant items from our marketplace.

We don’t allow items that could harm buyers or pose health or safety risks. That includes items that are banned, recalled or don't meet safety regulations.

What is the policy?

The following types of items are not allowed:

  • Items that have been recalled by a manufacturer or government agency
  • Items that are prohibited by law or regulation
  • Products identified by authorities as health or safety hazards
  • Products missing required CE marking - opens in new window or tab or UKCA marking - opens in new window or tab
  • Products that don't comply with product safety laws, including (but not limited to):
    • Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC)
    • Electrical Equipment (safety) Regulations 2016
    • Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994
    • Cosmetic Directive 1223/2009
  • Lighters that don't meet EU safety requirements, including:
    • Giant lighters
    • Lighters that appeal to children or novelty lighters (see definition of novelty lighters in Additional information)
  • Certain baby products that present a safety risk
    • Feeding and protective gear: Baby backpacks or helmets marketed to protect against bumps or falls, baby self-feeding devices
    • Health claims: Products marketed to prevent or reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
    • Sleep and bedding: Infant inclined sleepers, cot bumpers, baby sleeping bags that can cover a baby’s head, baby weighted blankets, swaddles and sleep sacks
    • Support and positioning: Baby loungers, pillows marketed for sleeping, patting pillows, sleep positioners and nests, anti-roll products

Check official recall sources

For current recall and safety alerts, visit: 

Make sure your listings meet all safety rules in every country where you post. If an item is reported as recalled or unsafe, we'll remove it from the affected site and may remove it from all eBay sites to protect buyers.

Some products can be listed if they meet specific safety standards. Always check the relevant regulations before listing.

Baby and child products

  • Small magnets: Allowed only if sold as fasteners in Business, Office & Industrial > Fasteners & Hardware > Magnets. Toy magnets with small pieces that can be swallowed or that appeal to children aren't allowed
  • New bicycle helmets: Eligible sellers can list new bicycle helmets that meet BS EN 1078 standards. Used bicycle helmets aren't allowed
  • New child car seats: Eligible sellers can list new child car seats that meet UN Regulation No. 44 or UN Regulation No. 129. Sellers must say in the listing that the car seat meets these standards. See UNECE's Child Restraint Systems - opens in new window or tab for more information. Used car seats aren't allowed
  • New cots: Eligible sellers can list new cots that meet BS EN 716 standards. Sellers must say in the listing that the cot meets these standards. Used cots aren't allowed
  • Baby toys: Eligible sellers can list toys for babies. All toys must meet CE or UKCA toy safety regulations

Batteries

Micromobility devices

Micromobility devices include hoverboards, e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, electric roller skates, electric pocket bikes, electric unicycles and other similar devices designed for one rider.

All micromobility devices must meet safety requirements - opens in new window or tab. During listing, select an approved product that already has the needed certification or upload documentation showing compliance from a recognised testing lab or the manufacturer.

  • New micromobility devices (other than e-bikes and hoverboards): Must be certified to meet BS EN 17128:2020 safety standards and have CE or UKCA marking. Eligible sellers can list refurbished micromobility devices with new batteries. Used micromobility devices aren’t allowed
  • New e-bikes: Must be certified to meet BS EN 15194:2017+A1:2023 safety standards, have CE or UKCA marking, and have a maximum motor power of 250W and a maximum speed of 25 km/h. See the rules for e-bikes, guidance for e-bike safety - opens in new window or tab, and the Office of Product Safety and Standard's safety message - opens in new window or tab for more information. Eligible sellers can list refurbished e-bikes with new batteries. Used e-bikes aren’t allowed
  • New hoverboards: Business sellers can list new hoverboards or self-balancing scooters that are certified to meet Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) and have CE or UKCA marking. Used hoverboards aren't allowed
  • New batteries that are sold separately for micromobility devices: Must be certified to meet BS EN 50604-1:2016+A1:2021 safety standards and have CE or UKCA marking. Used or refurbished batteries for micromobility devices aren’t allowed
  • New battery chargers for micromobility devices: Must be designed for the type of micromobility device they are intended to charge and meet BS EN 15194 safety standards and CE or UKCA regulations. Battery chargers can't be marketed as “universal” or suitable with multiple types of micromobility devices. Used or refurbished battery chargers for micromobility devices aren’t allowed

Other consumer safety items

Additional information

Before listing, check the manufacturer's website and official recall sites for recall notices and make sure your product meets UK safety standards. Useful resources include:

Manufacturers and retailers can report recall information to recalls@ebay.com with details about the recalled product.

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

Sellers should encourage buyers to register gas and electrical appliances with the manufacturer for safety updates. UK buyers can register appliances via Register my appliance - opens in new window or tab portal. Learn more from the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances - opens in new window or tab.

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."

Learn more about the EU ban on novelty lighters - opens in new window or tab.

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.

Why does eBay have this policy?

This policy helps sellers follow safety rules and helps buyers stay safe.

Helpful links

Tip
Visit Seller Help - opens in new window or tab to find details of any policy issues with your account or listings, and get the information you need to quickly resolve them.

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