Chile Clarifies E-Bike & Scooter Standards, Extends Compliance Deadline - G/TBT/N/CHL/756/Add.1

by  Fares

Country : Chile | Date : 2026-05-18

Overview

Chile's Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications has issued an addendum to its proposed amendment of Decree No. 102, of 2019, which impacts electric bicycles, their components, and electric scooters. This notification provides critical responses to public comments, notably from China, by recognizing additional international technical standards for safety and extending the implementation period for affected products, directly influencing market access for exporters.

Key Details

• Country / Notifying Member: Chile
• Document Symbol: G/TBT/N/CHL/756/Add.1
• Notification Date: 2026-05-18
• Comment Deadline: Not specified (this addendum provides responses to prior comments)
• Expected Entry into Force: Implementation period extended to 12 months (from 180 days) for affected parties to comply with the modified regulation.
• Objective: Consumer protection and safety (e.g., batteries, chargers, helmets), clarification of regulatory scope, and facilitation of trade through recognition of international standards.

What Is Being Regulated

This addendum primarily addresses electric bicycles, specifically their batteries, chargers, and safety helmets. It also clarifies the regulatory status of electric scooters (patines eléctricos). While no HS codes are specified, the regulated product categories include:
- Electric Bicycles
- Lithium-ion Batteries for Electric Bicycles
- Chargers for Electric Bicycles
- Safety Helmets
- Electric Scooters/Skates (Patines Eléctricos)

Key Requirements & Technical Changes

Chile has made several significant clarifications and adjustments in response to international comments:
- Expanded Standard Equivalency for Batteries and Chargers: The national authorities have deemed several international standards equivalent in safety aspects for batteries and chargers. These include EN 62133-1, EN 62133-2, GB 17761 ("Safety Technical Specifications for Electric Bicycles"), GB 43854-2024 ("Safety Technical Specifications for Lithium-ion Batteries for Electric Bicycles"), and GB 42296-2022 ("Safety Technical Specifications for Chargers for Electric Bicycles"). These will be included as a third alternative for compliance.
- Expanded Standard Equivalency for Helmets: The international standard GB 24429-2009 has been concluded to be equivalent to EN 1078 and will be included as a sixth alternative.
- Extended Implementation Period: The request to extend the implementation period from one hundred and eighty (180) days to twelve (12) months has been granted.
- Clarification on Electric Scooters (Patines Eléctricos): Based on Law N° 21.088 (Ley de Convivencia Vial), which modified Law N° 18.290 of Transit, electric scooters classified as "cycles" (vehicles with an auxiliary electric motor of max 0.25 kW continuous nominal power, reducing power at 25 km/h or when propulsion stops) are not subject to the technical analysis or homologation process for motorized vehicles under Supreme Decree N° 54, of 1994.

Trade Impact & Who Should Act

Exporters of electric bicycles, lithium-ion batteries, chargers, safety helmets, and electric scooters targeting the Chilean market are directly affected. This includes manufacturers and suppliers from countries utilizing the newly recognized EN and GB standards, particularly those from the People's Republic of China, which formally submitted observations.

Recommended Actions for Exporters

1. Review Standards: Immediately assess your products' compliance against the newly accepted alternative international standards (EN 62133-1, EN 62133-2, GB 17761, GB 43854-2024, GB 42296-2022 for batteries/chargers; GB 24429-2009 for helmets).
2. Utilize Extended Deadline: Leverage the extended 12-month implementation period to make any necessary adjustments to product design, testing, or certification processes.
3. Confirm Scooter Classification: For electric scooter exporters, verify that your products meet Chile's definition of a "cycle" (max 0.25 kW continuous power, speed cut-off at 25 km/h) to ensure they are exempt from the motorized vehicle homologation requirements.

you can see the notification here

Relevant documents:

Link to the addendum text here
Link to the initial notification G/TBT/N/CHL/756
Link to the main decree