WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The Consumer Product Safety Commission will meet publicly July 27 at its headquarters here to discuss lithium-ion battery safety. The 10 a.m. meeting also can be accessed remotely.
The commission wants to hear from battery safety and fire prevention experts and learn about potential standards and designs for batteries, battery management systems, and other aspects of consumer product safety that might limit the risk of thermal runaway and fire.
The CPSC said it welcomes anybody to serve on the panel or who wants to make an oral presentation virtually or in person. To do so, submit a request to the Office of the Secretary with a topic and the presenter's background. The request needs to be received by 5 p.m. EDT on June 29, emailed to cpsc-os@cpsc.gov with the subject line, "Lithium-Ion Battery Safety."
Written comments also will be accepted through Aug. 21 by following the recommendations posted on the Federal Register site.
The CPSC said from Jan. 1, 2021, through Nov. 28, 2022, it received reports of at least 208 fires or overheating incidents involving micromobility devices in 39 states. The agency said they resulted in five deaths involving e-scooters, 11 with hoverboards, and three with e-bikes. According to the CPSC, at least 22 injuries resulted in emergency department visits, with 12 involving e-scooters and 10 with e-bikes.
That led to the CPSC in December sending a letter to more than 2,000 e-bike manufacturers and importers and other micromobility devices, urging them to comply with relevant safety standards, including UL 2849.
In New York City alone, there have been 65 structural and 32 non-structural fires and nine deaths entering June. The city now requires e-bikes and batteries to meet UL or other relevant certifications to be decided later.
This latest CPSC action comes after last month’s decision to seek public comments on reviewing bicycle safety standards — including e-bikes — that haven’t been substantially updated since their inception in 1975. The decision came in response to a request to eliminate the coaster brake requirement for sidewalk bicycles. The commission voted to seek comment on that and whether other bicycle requirements need updating.
