EBay to ban private sales of common item due to fire risks --[Reported by Umva mag]

EBAY is set to ban private sales of a popular product in the UK, citing increasing safety concerns. The move will come into effect on October 31, with only “eligible business sellers” allowed to continue offering the item on the platform. eBay is set to ban private sales of a popular product on its website in the UK The ban comes over fears of fire risks associated to the item The clampdown focuses on e-bikes and their batteries, following a sharp rise in incidents involving battery fires. The London Fire Brigade reported 155 e-bike fires so far this year, a jump of 78% compared to 2022. E-bikes, equipped with electrically-assisted pedals and battery power, have surged in popularity, but their safety has come under scrutiny. In one tragic case, a man died when a battery pack he was charging overheated and ignited, leading to a house fire. The UK’s regulatory body recently classified e-bike battery packs as “dangerous products,” further intensifying calls for better consumer protection. An eBay spokesperson said: “Consumer safety is a top priority for eBay,” adding that the firm would audit sellers to ensure they meet CE mark safety standards for listed products. The charity Electrical Safety First has praised eBay’s decision but insists new laws are necessary to safeguard consumers across all online platforms. A spokesperson said: “We are encouraged to see eBay take proactive steps in an attempt to reduce the risk of substandard batteries entering people’s homes, as they pose a serious risk of fire if they fail. “Whilst this voluntary move is welcome, we continue to call for online marketplaces to be legally obligated to take reasonable steps to ensure products sold via their sites are safe. “We hope the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will mandate this. “This legislation must also be used to prevent battery fires by introducing mandatory third-party certification for e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries to stop poor quality products from entering the market. “It should also introduce more robust standards for conversion kits and regulations for charging.“ The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, could eventually make these obligations law. For now, eBay’s ban on private e-bike sales is seen as a crucial step toward reducing fire risks associated with the product. Despite the impending restrictions, nearly 3,000 used e-bikes are still available on eBay, highlighting the challenge of managing the growing demand for these vehicles while ensuring safety. Meanwhile, earlier this year a man was forced to flee through a bedroom window after a house erupted into flames when an e-bike battery exploded. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service was able to confirm that a lithium battery in the ebike overheated and caused a severe fire. The fire service reminded e-bike owners to use the correct charger, never leave the device unattended and allow the battery to cool before charging. Elsewhere, in another tragic case, the grieving boyfriend of a model killed in a horror e-bike flat blaze told how he tried to battle through flames to save her.  The 21-year-old was forced to jump out of a window naked when smoke billowed through his flat in London. A fireball erupted through their home when on New Year’s Day 2023 when a dodgy ebike battery exploded. The dangers of e-bikes Last year, 11 people lost their lives to fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters, with hundreds injured as a result of the fires caused by the lithium-ion batteries. Other victims include Sofia Duarte, who died in London on New Year’s Day 2023 at the age of 21, when a converted e-bike caught fire during the night. Sofia was unable to escape the building with the fire blocking her escape route. Alda Simoes, a friend of Ms Duarte, said: “We are out of time to save our beautiful Sofia and everyone that has passed away like her. “But we will do everything in our power to prevent others going through what Sofia’s mum, me, family and friends are going through. “This problem is a public safety issue that needs action from all political parties to introduce new measures to tackle the increasingly problem of e-bike battery fires. “The number of these fires caused by these batteries keeps rising and we urgently need intervention to protect the public. “Change needs to happen. There are people dying, what are we waiting for? Sofia’s death must have a purpose. If nothing changes, her death will be in vain. “I am urging the next Government and all political parties to please, help us create change.” On March 21, fire crews were called to an exploding e-bike on a train platform in Sutton, London, with dramatic footage showing flaming battery cells being projected from the battery acr

EBAY is set to ban private sales of a popular product in the UK, citing increasing safety concerns.

The move will come into effect on October 31, with only “eligible business sellers” allowed to continue offering the item on the platform.

The clampdown focuses on e-bikes and their batteries, following a sharp rise in incidents involving battery fires.

The London Fire Brigade reported 155 e-bike fires so far this year, a jump of 78% compared to 2022.

E-bikes, equipped with electrically-assisted pedals and battery power, have surged in popularity, but their safety has come under scrutiny.

In one tragic case, a man died when a battery pack he was charging overheated and ignited, leading to a house fire.

The UK’s regulatory body recently classified e-bike battery packs as “dangerous products,” further intensifying calls for better consumer protection.

An eBay spokesperson said: “Consumer safety is a top priority for eBay,” adding that the firm would audit sellers to ensure they meet CE mark safety standards for listed products.

The charity Electrical Safety First has praised eBay’s decision but insists new laws are necessary to safeguard consumers across all online platforms.

A spokesperson said: “We are encouraged to see eBay take proactive steps in an attempt to reduce the risk of substandard batteries entering people’s homes, as they pose a serious risk of fire if they fail.

“Whilst this voluntary move is welcome, we continue to call for online marketplaces to be legally obligated to take reasonable steps to ensure products sold via their sites are safe.

“We hope the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will mandate this.

“This legislation must also be used to prevent battery fires by introducing mandatory third-party certification for e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries to stop poor quality products from entering the market.

“It should also introduce more robust standards for conversion kits and regulations for charging.“

The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, could eventually make these obligations law.

For now, eBay’s ban on private e-bike sales is seen as a crucial step toward reducing fire risks associated with the product.

Despite the impending restrictions, nearly 3,000 used e-bikes are still available on eBay, highlighting the challenge of managing the growing demand for these vehicles while ensuring safety.

Meanwhile, earlier this year a man was forced to flee through a bedroom window after a house erupted into flames when an e-bike battery exploded.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service was able to confirm that a lithium battery in the ebike overheated and caused a severe fire.

The fire service reminded e-bike owners to use the correct charger, never leave the device unattended and allow the battery to cool before charging.

Elsewhere, in another tragic case, the grieving boyfriend of a model killed in a horror e-bike flat blaze told how he tried to battle through flames to save her. 

The 21-year-old was forced to jump out of a window naked when smoke billowed through his flat in London.

A fireball erupted through their home when on New Year’s Day 2023 when a dodgy ebike battery exploded.

The dangers of e-bikes

Last year, 11 people lost their lives to fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters, with hundreds injured as a result of the fires caused by the lithium-ion batteries.

Other victims include Sofia Duarte, who died in London on New Year’s Day 2023 at the age of 21, when a converted e-bike caught fire during the night.

Sofia was unable to escape the building with the fire blocking her escape route.

Alda Simoes, a friend of Ms Duarte, said: “We are out of time to save our beautiful Sofia and everyone that has passed away like her.

“But we will do everything in our power to prevent others going through what Sofia’s mum, me, family and friends are going through.

“This problem is a public safety issue that needs action from all political parties to introduce new measures to tackle the increasingly problem of e-bike battery fires.

“The number of these fires caused by these batteries keeps rising and we urgently need intervention to protect the public.

“Change needs to happen. There are people dying, what are we waiting for? Sofia’s death must have a purpose. If nothing changes, her death will be in vain.

“I am urging the next Government and all political parties to please, help us create change.”

On March 21, fire crews were called to an exploding e-bike on a train platform in Sutton, London, with dramatic footage showing flaming battery cells being projected from the battery across the platform.

Fire crews in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, were called to a property fire on April 6 following a severe fire that resulted in one person being taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The cause was deemed to be a charging e-bike.

Five others suffered minor injuries.

Four children were among six people taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation following an e-bike fire near Croydon at the beginning of April that caused serious damage to their maisonette, destroying the staircase between the first and second floor

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.

Related Posts

IMF bullish on PHL banking sector --[Reported by Umva mag]

Oct 3, 2024

Huge boost for millions as energy bills could go down a...

Oct 7, 2024

Sandoz Canada achieves carbon neutral certification for...

Oct 7, 2024