The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated legal proceedings against eBay, alleging a breach of federal environmental regulations due to its failure to prevent the sale of harmful products on its platform.
The complaint, filed in a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, addresses the sale of aftermarket products intended to enhance vehicle performance by bypassing federal emissions controls. It also raises concerns about the sale of products containing methylene chloride, commonly used in paint and coating removal, as well as the sale of misbranded or restricted pesticides.
The Justice Department has emphasized that some of these products lead to the emission of substantial levels of air pollution from vehicles, while others present an immediate or potentially lethal danger to individuals.
According to the Justice Department, eBay possesses the necessary means and authority to halt the sale of these illegal and hazardous products on its platform. However, it has allegedly chosen to engage in these prohibited transactions.
As of now, eBay has not provided an immediate response to requests for comments.
