New statutory guidelines published for businesses producing and
distributing lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes.
The government has published new statutory guidelines for
businesses producing and distributing lithium-ion batteries for
e-bikes, as the latest step in tackling fires caused by unsafe
e-bikes and associated products.
There were at least ten fire-related fatalities in the UK
involving e-bikes or e-scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries
in 2023. Poorly designed or poorly manufactured lithium-ion
batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters present a risk of
thermal runaway which can result in a serious fire or explosion.
These guidelines mandate that lithium-ion batteries must contain
a safety mechanism to address that risk.
Producers and distributors of lithium-ion batteries must take the
guidelines into account when assessing whether their product
meets legal requirements under the General Product Safety
Regulations 2005 (GPSR) in Great Britain.
The GPSR applies to all lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes,
including those sold online or those sold for use with or as part
of a conversion kit. It is an offence to place a lithium-ion
battery on the market if it is not a safe product.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards, as the UK's national
product regulator, and Local Authority Trading Standards, have
powers to enforce the GPSR and there are sanctions, including
criminal sanctions, for those that do not comply.
The introduction of these statutory guidelines follows the launch
in October of the Government's Buy Safe Be Safe campaign,
designed to help the public to buy safe e-bikes and e-scooters
and avoid rogue online sellers. The government has partnered with
retailers, manufacturers, online marketplaces, and consumer
groups to promote the consumer advice.
OPSS has already acted to remove unsafe batteries from the
market. In January two models of Unit Power Pack e-bike batteries
being manufactured in China and linked to incidents in the UK
were prevented from supply to consumers.
Regulatory action against non-compliant and unsafe products forms
part of wider Government activity to make sure that our ambition
for increasing the use of cleaner and active modes of transport,
including the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, is supported by
consumers being able to purchase safe products.
Read the statutory
guidelines on lithium-ion battery safety for e-bikes.
Find out more about the
Buy Safe, Be Safe campaign.
