9 min article

Product safety policy

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

This policy was updated on 7 April 2026 with additional information about small high-powered magnets and about product recalls, and is effective as of that date.

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, including products failing to comply with Australian mandatory safety standards - opens in new window or tab or which are subject to a product ban in Australia - opens in new window or tab
  • Products identified by authorities as health or safety hazards
  • Products missing required UL marking - opens in new window or tab
  • 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, pillows marketed for sleeping, sleep positioners and nests
    • Support and positioning: Baby loungers, patting pillows, 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 to which 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

Batteries

  • 18650 batteries: Must be pre-installed in a product. 18650 batteries can't be sold separately because they can be hazardous during handling, transport, storage or charging
  • Button/coin batteries: Products that contain button batteries that are easily accessible are illegal. Button/coin batteries and products containing button/coin batteries and packaging must comply with the Australian mandatory safety and information standards for button and coin batteries - opens in new window or tab. Sellers listing standalone button/coin batteries in any category or any item containing button/coin batteries within the Toys, Hobbies or Baby > Toys category must include the following warning in the listing description: WARNING: Button/coin batteries can cause severe injuries or even death when swallowed. Keep batteries out of reach of children. If you suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button/coin battery, seek medical attention immediately.

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.

Sellers whose account is in good standing can list electric micromobility devices, batteries and battery charges that comply with the standards and requirements below. Learn more about our Products with eligibility requirements policy.

All micromobility devices require valid certification for micromobility devices - 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 e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards: Must be certified to meet one of the following safety standards: AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023; EN 17128:2020; or UL 2272:2016. Refurbished micromobility devices with new batteries may be sold by pre-approved eBay Refurbished - opens in new window or tab sellers* only. Used micromobility devices aren't allowed
  • New e-bikes: Must be certified to meet one of the following safety standards: AS 15194:2016; EN 15194:2017+ A1:2023; or UL 2849:2022. Refurbished e-bikes with new batteries may be sold by pre-approved eBay Refurbished - opens in new window or tab sellers* only. Used e-bikes aren't allowed
  • New batteries that are sold separately for e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards: Must be certified to meet one of the following safety standards: AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023 or UL 2271:2018. Used or refurbished batteries for micromobility devices aren't allowed
  • New batteries that are sold separately for e-bikes: Must be certified to meet one of the following safety standards: EN 50604-1:2016+A1:2021; IEC 62133-2:2017; or UL 2271:2018. 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 one of the following safety standards: AS/NZS 60335.2.29 or the AS/NZS 61558 series. 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

*To apply to join the eBay Refurbished program, please contact us about joining the eBay Refurbished program - opens in new window or tab. Approval to list refurbished micromobility devices and e-bikes will be at eBay's discretion. Learn more about products with eligibility requirements.

Other consumer safety items

  • Laser pointers: Must be 1mW or less and classified as 1M, 1C, 2/II or 2M/IIM. Military, tactical or "high powered" lasers aren't allowed
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Only approved brands and safe models are allowed. Unbranded and unsafe brands aren't 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 regulation - opens in new window or tab

Additional information

Before listing, check the manufacturer's website and official recall sites for recall notices and make sure your product meets Australian mandatory safety standards. You should also provide clear product safety information (labels, warnings, descriptions) in your item description.

If your product is potentially unsafe, you have a responsibility for removing risk to public safety - opens in new window or tab by recalling unsafe products and for telling the ACCC - opens in new window or tab (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) about the recall. For more information please visit the ACCC guidelines about Conducting a consumer product safety recall - opens in new window or tab.

The ACCC strongly encourages suppliers to submit a mandatory report - opens in new window or tab or a voluntary report - opens in new window or tab, and consumers to report an unsafe product - opens in new window or tab.

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

Please visit the Product Safety Australia website - opens in new window or tab for more information about:

We recommend that you also sign up to receive email alerts - opens in new window or tab about item recalls.

Buyers should also keep up-to-date about item mandatory standards, bans and product safety recalls, especially for the kinds of items they often buy.

Sellers of gas or electrical appliances should advise their customers to register their appliance with the manufacturer so they can be informed of any important product safety updates. For more information, please visit the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council - opens in new window or tab (ERAC).

The sale or installation of faulty Takata airbags is prohibited under the Takata compulsory recall - opens in new window or tab. If a person is involved in a collision with a vehicle containing a faulty Takata airbag, the airbag can go off with too much explosive force causing sharp metal fragments to shoot out and kill or seriously injure people in the vehicle. Suppliers of spare parts must not sell faulty Takata airbags and must check and notify the manufacturer if you have a faulty Takata airbag in your possession, so they can retrieve the part. To check if an airbag is affected, go to the Product Safety Australia website - opens in new window or tab. For more information see: Guidance for suppliers of spare parts - opens in new window or tab.

More information on Australian Product Safety laws for online sellers - 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 government safety regulations 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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