As part of the continuing efforts by US authorities to regulate products sold by independent sellers on online platforms, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against eBay last year. This lawsuit highlighted numerous products that eBay permitted for sale, even though they pose direct risks to individuals and the environment, or could contribute to vehicle pollution.
Lawsuit Details
Among a lengthy list of items available on eBay, the DOJ pointed out an astonishing 343,011 vehicle devices that enable users to "tamper with or disable vehicle emissions control systems." Additionally, there were at least 23,000 pesticides that were either misbranded, unregistered, or heavily regulated. The lawsuit also cited products containing methylene chloride, a substance banned from most products as of April. Exposure to this chemical has been shown to lead to cancer, liver damage, and even death.
Court Ruling
In a positive outcome for eBay, US District Judge Orelia Merchant determined that eBay is not responsible for the actions of third-party sellers on its platform, thanks to Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act. Nevertheless, the DOJ achieved a modest win by successfully arguing that eBay violated the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Methylene Chloride Rule by failing to remove specific listings featuring methylene chloride.
What's Next for eBay
Currently, eBay remains in a secure position, but the DOJ has the option to appeal this ruling in a higher court. Meanwhile, eBay is committed to its operations, working on preventing the sale of prohibited items, among other initiatives. For those looking to sell effectively on eBay, Money Maker Publishing offers "How to Sell on eBay for Beginners: eBay Selling Secrets for Easy Online Sales," which is available on Amazon starting at $2.99 in Kindle format (free with Kindle Unlimited).
