The Department of Justice charges auction site eBay with selling more than 340,000 devices that nullify automobile exhaust gas regulations.

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against eBay Inc., which operates the online auction site eBay, for selling and distributing devices that disable vehicle exhaust gas regulations in violation of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Office of Public Affairs | Justice Department Files Complaint Alleging Environmental Violations by eBay | United States Department of Justice

eBay Issues Statement Responding to US Department of Justice Lawsuit
https://www.ebayinc.com/stories/news/ebay-issues-statement-responding-to-us-department-of-justice-lawsuit/

US sues eBay over sale of harmful products | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-sues-ebay-over-sale-aftermarket-motor-vehicle-products-2023-09-27/

There are three main issues that the Ministry of Justice is concerned with.

The first is the violation of the CAA as mentioned above. Installing aftermarket disable devices sold on eBay increases pollutant emissions such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs).

Second, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) violated the sales cease and desist order issued to eBay in 2020 and was amended in 2021, resulting in the sale of over 23,000 unregistered, counterfeit, and unused items. It is alleged that the company violated the Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) by illegally distributing and selling restricted agricultural products.

The third charge is that they sold and distributed more than 5,600 products that violate the methylene chloride regulations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Methylene Chloride Rule prohibits commercial distribution of products containing methylene chloride for paint and coating removal to prevent unreasonable risks, including death, posed by these types of products.

'The law prohibiting the sale of products that have the potential to seriously harm human health or the environment applies to electronic sites like eBay just as they do to brick-and-mortar stores,' said Todd Kim, assistant attorney general for environment and natural resources at the Justice Department. It also applies to commercial retailers.”

EPA Deputy Administrator David M. Woolman said, ``The complaint filed means that EPA is holding offline retailers accountable for illegally selling products on their websites that may harm consumers or the environment.'' It shows us that we are asking questions.'

'The sale of emission control devices, pesticides, and other unsafe products on eBay poses unacceptable environmental and health risks to our communities,' said Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. We will continue to work with our partners to vigorously enforce federal laws against those whose actions endanger public health and the environment.'

In response to this complaint, eBay has blocked or deleted 99.9% of listings for products that the Department of Justice considers problematic, and has worked with law enforcement agencies over the past 20 years to prevent and enforce risks. ``This government action is unprecedented, and eBay will vigorously defend itself.''

A forum related to this article has been set up on the GIGAZINE official Discord server. Anyone can write freely, so please feel free to comment!

• Discord | 'Is there anything you've seen on an online auction that makes you think, ``Is it okay to sell something like this...?'' ' | GIGAZINE
https://discord.com/channels/1037961069903216680/1156884038066389106