2 min article

Product safety policy

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

To ensure the safety and well-being of our members, eBay does not allow listings for items that are banned, recalled, or dangerous to a buyer.

What is the policy?

The following types of items are not allowed:

  • Products recalled by a manufacturer or government agency
  • Products where the sale of the product is prohibited by law or regulation
  • Products that pose a health or safety hazard as specified by any government agency
  • Current information can be found on the OPSS Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls, the EU Safety Gate: Rapid Alert System website and the OECD Global Recalls portal
  • Products without a UKCA marking or CE marking where it is legally required
  • 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
  • Class 3B lasers and handheld lasers with output power greater than 1 milliwatts (mW). For further information on laser safety, please visit the Public Health England website 
  • 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

Sellers can list the following types of items:

  • Items complying with these safety standards:
    • Permitted lighters may be listed only if they are equipped with a child-resistant mechanism
    • 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 for more information
    • Eligible sellers can list cribs meeting the British safety standards. Sellers must state in the listing that the crib meets these standards. Used cribs are not allowed
    • Eligible sellers can list new bike helmets – used bike helmets are not allowed
    • If the product you are selling includes an adaptor, please ensure that the adaptor is permanently affixed and cannot be removed without the use of tools. Please familiarise yourself with the plugs and sockets regulations

Additional information

Before you list an item, take a few minutes to check the manufacturer's website to get information on recalled items. Sellers may also consult the UK Trading Standards Office, the Office for Product Safety and Standards, or National Consumer Agency for Republic of Ireland members. You can also visit the Citizens Advice.

In addition, visit the BIS Business Companion website for advice.

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. For more information, visit the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances website.

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."

Activity that doesn't follow eBay policy could result in a range of actions including for example: administratively ending or cancelling listings, hiding or demoting all listings from search results, lowering seller rating, buying or selling restrictions, and account suspension. All fees paid or payable in relation to listings or accounts on which we take any action will not be refunded or otherwise credited to your account.

Why does eBay have this policy?

This policy helps sellers follow important government regulations.

 

Helpful links

Tip
Visit Seller Help 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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