eBay is ready to ban the sale of e-bikes and their batteries by personal people within the UK from 31 October, citing rising issues over battery fires.
From this date, solely “eligible enterprise sellers” can be permitted to record this stuff, although the corporate has not but clarified the precise standards for eligibility.
E-bikes, which use battery-powered pedals, have grow to be more and more widespread, however the surge in utilization has coincided with a pointy rise in incidents involving battery fires. The London Fireplace Brigade recorded 155 e-bike fires in 2023, a 78% improve from the earlier yr. This rise has led to warnings from security authorities, with e-bike battery packs being formally classed as “harmful” merchandise by UK regulators.
In June, a coroner known as for presidency motion after a deadly hearth brought on by an overheating e-bike battery pack. These incidents have intensified scrutiny of e-bike security requirements.
“Shopper security is a high precedence for eBay,” a spokesperson for the platform stated. Earlier this yr, eBay introduced plans to audit sellers to make sure their merchandise carry the mandatory CE security documentation.
The change has been welcomed by security advocates. Electrical Security First, a UK charity, praised eBay’s choice however known as for extra sturdy authorized frameworks to make sure that all merchandise offered on-line meet security requirements. “While this voluntary transfer is welcome, we proceed to name for on-line marketplaces to be legally obligated to take affordable steps to make sure merchandise offered by way of their websites are protected,” stated a spokesperson.
The UK’s Product Regulation and Metrology Invoice, which is progressing by way of Parliament, might set up such authorized obligations sooner or later, offering an additional safeguard in opposition to the dangers posed by unsafe e-bike batteries.
Jamie Younger
Jamie is a seasoned enterprise journalist and Senior Reporter at Enterprise Issues, bringing over a decade of expertise in UK SME enterprise reporting.
Jamie holds a level in Enterprise Administration and frequently participates in business conferences and workshops to remain on the forefront of rising traits.
When not reporting on the most recent enterprise developments, Jamie is captivated with mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs, sharing their wealth of information to encourage the following technology of enterprise leaders.
