eBay to Ban E-bike Sales in the UK.
From the end of this month, eBay will ban the sale of e-bikes from private sellers on its platform due to safety concerns. The changes on the 31st of October mean only “eligible business sellers” will be allowed to sell these items on eBay, stating that “consumer safety is a top priority” for them.
The changes come into place following increasing pressure on fire brigades across the country in relation to dealing with lithium battery related fires. For example, the London Fire Brigade has reported a staggering 78% increase in e-bike related fire between 2022 and 2023. These fires can be caused by poor quality battery and chargers on the market or by owners using incompatible or ‘knockoff’ chargers.
Tragically people have been injured and have died from these increasing battery related fires. The National Fire Chief Council (NFCC) has released key information relating to measures a person can take to mitigate the risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters. They provide clear guidance on charging, storage, buying, damages and disposal of the products. Often the cause could be from counterfeit electrical goods that don’t meet British or European safety standards.
MP Calls for Action on Industrial Fires.
This weeks LinkedIn questionnaire revealed the Home Office figures of there being 1,197 fires in the industrial sector. In relation to this, a BBC Hertfordshire report had shown that there were several fires in the same area and multiple on the same industrial estate this year. Residents understandably have become increasingly concerned, and in response to the third fire of the year, MP Alistair Strathern stated “we shouldn’t tolerate this”.
Employment Right Bill Takes its Next Step.
On the 22nd of August we reported about the governments plans to introduce a new Employment Rights Bill. As more information becomes available on the specifics for fire safety in the work place, we will update on that here on Hendeca News.
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