en

Running your business

Improved messaging experience

When: October 2022

Where: all eBay sites

Earlier this year the beta version of a new messaging experience in the eBay mobile app was launched. In the coming weeks, iOS users will be moved to the new experience (Android users are due to move over in 2023), which will better connect you to your buyers and make it easier for you to manage your messages. If you’d prefer, you can opt out of the new experience and continue to use the old messaging format until 2023, when eBay will fully migrate everyone over to the new experience.

eBay is also launching a desktop beta version of the new messaging experience. Look out for a prompt in the coming weeks. You won’t automatically be opted into this beta version, and if you do decide to opt in, you can opt out again and continue using the old messaging format while the eBay team is rolling out the beta version.

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What’s new

  • Messages to and from your buyers will be displayed in an easy-to-use format with a more modern look.
  • Individual conversations are easy to track through clearer and more straightforward messaging.
  • Messages are grouped together by buyer and listing, making it easier to stay on top of your communications.

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What’s staying the same

  • During the launch of the mobile version, you’ll have the option to opt out of the new experience and continue to use the old messaging format.
  • During the launch of the desktop beta version, the old experience will still be available.
  • Don’t worry, you won’t lose any of your messages or any folders you’ve created. Just like in the old format, messages will be kept for one year and then auto deleted.

Next steps

  • You’ll see a notification in your message inbox, letting you know when eBay has moved you over to the new mobile experience.
  • Look out for a link in your message inbox to join the new beta experience on desktop.
  • Tell eBay about your experience! By opting in to the new beta desktop messaging experience, you’ll have the chance to explore the features and give us your feedback.

FAQ

When will I be moved over to the new messaging experience on mobile?

You’ll receive a notification detailing when eBay has moved you over to the new messaging experience in the eBay mobile app.

How can I opt into the beta version of the messaging experience on desktop?

You’ll receive a prompt in your message inbox to try the new messaging experience on desktop. You can opt in or out at any time during the beta.

Will any formatting in the old messages break when they are imported?

No, formatting won’t break when importing messages to the new experience. However, HTML won’t be supported and messages will be shown as plain text.

I reply to buyers using a service provider. What does this mean for me?

Your experience will vary by platform, but messages will come to you in the standard format from your service provider.

EPR regulations in the French market

When: October 2022

Where: ebay.com, ebay.co.uk, ebay.de, ebay.fr, ebay.it, ebay.es, ebay.ie, ebay.at, ebay.ch, ebay.nl, ebay.benl, ebay.befr, ebay.pl, ebay.com.au, ebay.ca, ebay.cafr

What you need to know

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation is part of a Europe-wide initiative to protect the environment by improving waste management, limiting the use of landfills, and stimulating innovation in recycling. These measures make sellers responsible for the entire life cycle of their products.

To comply with French EPR laws, business sellers who sell in, or into France, need to register with the relevant éco-organismes* covering the categories they are selling in, including packaging. A list of the categories that these laws apply to can be found here.

What’s changing?

Since 1 July 2022, all marketplaces, including eBay, have been legally required to make sure that sellers are complying with EPR regulations. By getting in line with these laws you’ll be showing your customers that you’re supporting recycling initiatives in France and playing your part in contributing to a circular economy.

Make sure that you add the information detailed below to your listings as soon as possible. From 1 October 2022 eBay will take action on listings that don’t comply with the regulations, including paying the ‘eco-participation fee’ on your behalf and invoicing it back to you, as mentioned in eBay User Agreement update in August.

What do I have to do?

First and foremost, if your listings fall under EPR law, you’ll need to get compliant as a matter of urgency. You can find a list of products and categories that these laws apply to here, under ‘Eligible categories’.

If you’re selling these items in, or into France, you’ll need to:

1. Provide the Unique Producer Identification Numbers (UPINs) as item specifics in the ‘Regulatory compliance’ field of your listings

  • To obtain your UPINs, you’ll need to register with the relevant éco-organisme if you are the producer of the product in, or first importer into France. For a list of appropriate éco-organismes by category, see the ‘Eligible categories’ drop down in this article. Otherwise, contact your suppliers.

2. Provide the Eco Participation Fee as an item specific

  • Enter the fee you are charged for each item in the ‘Furniture’ and ‘Electrical/ Electronic devices’ category into the separate field of the listing tool to display it on your listing.

3. Display the Repair Score as an image in your picture gallery

  • This ranks the repairability of a product from 1-10 and needs to be displayed as an image in your picture gallery. Please note that this should not be the first picture.
  • Your supplier should be able to provide your Repair Score. See this article for more details.

4. Arrange your Take-back procedure

  • If you sell in the Electrical / Electronic devices and Furniture categories, you’ll need to provide buyers with details about how you will collect their existing product at delivery, known as ‘one-for-one take-back’. Take-back policies can be found in the ‘custom policies’ section of My eBay.
  • Please contact your shipping carrier and/or your éco-organisme to arrange the take-back procedure.

For further information on EPR in France, please visit the dedicated article, which offers comprehensive information and support to guide you through the process.

*An Eco-organisme is a French company empowered by the French public authorities, within the legal framework of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), to manage the end-of-life of the equipment they put onto the market (collection, sorting, recycling, and recovery of waste).

Guides for sellers to use UKCA/UKNI and CE markings in the UK market

When: September 2022

Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the UK now has its own domestic regulations covering most goods previously subject to the EU’s CE marking. The CE marking shows that these products meet EU safety, health or environmental requirements. It’s important you prepare your business for these changes so you can continue to sell your items in the Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) markets.

What you need to know

Note: if you do not sell goods into the UK, this will not apply to you.

As a result of the new regulations, there are two new types of marking to be compliant with for selling in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland:

  • The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is the new product marking required to demonstrate that certain goods are compliant with the UK rules and can be placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland). It covers all goods that previously required the CE marking.
  • The UKNI (United Kingdom Northern Ireland) marking is the new conformity marking for products placed on the market in Northern Ireland but only where a UK-based conformity assessment body has been used. It also covers goods that continue to require the CE marking.

What action do you need to take?

Make sure to review your listings and update the impacted items with the new markings by 1 January 2023. If you haven’t made the necessary updates by this date, any non-compliant listings may be removed.

You’ll find all the information you need to prepare your business for the new UK goods regulatory requirements in the four guides produced by the UK government below, including FAQs on how to attach the new markings to your goods.

Click on the guide links below to find out more about the UKCA and UKNI product conformity markings:

If you place goods in the EU market, you still need to use the CE marking.

Click on the links below to find out more about the CE product conformity:

Related links