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.