Major update as eBay announces sales restrictions on two items for UK customers

EBay has announced sales restrictions on two items for those buying and selling in the UK.

The website has announced that from October 31, it will limit the sale of e-bikes and e-bike batteries on its UK platform. After this date, only "eligible business sellers" will be permitted to list these items for sale.

An eBay spokeswoman stated: "Consumer safety is a top priority for eBay. To further improve consumer safety on our marketplace, from 31 October 2024, only eligible business sellers will be able to list e-bikes and e-bike batteries for sale in the UK.

"This policy change is in addition to the CE audits of listings offering e-bike batteries that we started last year, where we check that the products sellers are offering have valid CE documentation."

This decision comes as there is growing concern over the safety of such products, with an increase in fire incidents linked to e-bike batteries. The London Fire Brigade reported a significant rise in e-bike fires in 2023, with a 78% increase from the previous year.

They have urged users to ensure their batteries are safe following the classification of battery packs as "dangerous" by the UK's regulatory body.

Additionally, a coroner has called for government intervention after an inquest into the death of Abdul Oryakhel, who died trying to escape a fire caused by an overheated e-bike battery pack. Maria Voisin, senior coroner for Avon, made the call for action following the tragic incident.

In a tragic event in June, Scott Peden, a 30 year old grieving father from Cambridge, urged for immediate action on e-bike safety following the loss of his family in a fire just one year prior. A devastating blaze, ignited by an e-bike battery purchased online, claimed the lives of Mr