US Proposes Safety Rule for Lithium-Ion Micromobility Batteries - G/TBT/N/USA/2293
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) to establish a mandatory safety standard for lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility products such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards. This proposed rule (16 CFR Parts 1112 and 1265) aims to address 227 documented incidents—including 39 fatalities and 181 injuries—linked to thermal runaway, fires, and explosions from these batteries between 2019–2023. For international exporters, compliance with this rule could become a condition of market access to the United States.
Key Details- Country / Notifying Member: United States of America
- Notification Link: G/TBT/N/USA/2293
- Link to the NPR: https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/USA/26_03277_00_e.pdf
- Notification Date: 2026-06-25
- Comment Deadline: August 24, 2026 (written comments); July 24, 2026 (requests to present oral comments)
- Expected Entry into Force: Not specified
- Objective: Consumer protection—address unreasonable risk of death and injury from lithium-ion battery hazards including thermal runaway, fires, explosions, and smoke inhalation
The proposed rule covers micromobility electrical systems, including:
- eBikes (electric bicycles)
- eScooters (both stand-up and seated)
- Self-balancing scooters (hoverboards, eSBscooters)
- eSkateboards
- eUnicycles
- Hybrid micromobility products
- User-replaceable battery packs sold separately from micromobility products
- Aftermarket battery chargers sold separately
- eBike electrical system conversion kit components
The regulation encompasses all components of an electrical system: lithium-ion batteries, battery management systems (BMS), chargers, and other electrical components addressed in the applicable voluntary standards.
Technical Standards Referenced:
- ANSI/CAN/UL 2849:2020 (UL 2849–20) — Electrical Systems for eBikes
- ANSI/CAN/UL 2272:2024 (UL 2272–24) — Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices
- ANSI/CAN/UL/ULC 2271:2023 (UL 2271–23) — Batteries for Use in Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) Applications
The NPR proposes to require compliance with the three voluntary standards listed above, with the following modifications:
- Tamper-resistant battery enclosure requirements — Adding requirements from UL 2272–24 to UL 2849–20 and UL 2271–23 to reduce consumer access to battery packs
- Post-discharge charge test requirements — Adding requirements from UL 2272–24 to UL 2849–20 and UL 2271–23 to ensure the BMS prohibits charging when cell surface temperature exceeds specified upper limits
- Reverse polarity test — Adding to all three standards (UL 2849–20, UL 2272–24, UL 2271–23) to prevent damage from incompatible chargers
- Revised labelling requirements — Updated safety messaging addressing electric shock and thermal runaway hazards for all covered products
- Third-party testing — The rule would be added to the list of rules requiring third-party testing for children's products that qualify as micromobility items
Affected exporters and sectors:
- Manufacturers of eBikes, eScooters, hoverboards, eSkateboards, and eUnicycles
- Lithium-ion battery pack manufacturers producing user-replaceable packs for micromobility
- Aftermarket charger producers
- eBike conversion kit component suppliers
- Importers and distributors of these products in the U.S. market
- Review product scope immediately — Determine whether your lithium-ion battery products or micromobility electrical systems fall within the defined categories
- Audit current certifications — Check existing compliance with UL 2849–20, UL 2272–24, and UL 2271–23; identify gaps against proposed modifications
- Engage testing laboratories — Contact accredited third-party testing facilities to understand capacity and timelines for certification under the proposed requirements
- Submit comments by August 24, 2026 — Use the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov (Docket No. CPSC–2025–0012) to provide input on technical requirements, implementation timelines, or supply chain concerns
- Update labelling and documentation — Prepare for revised safety messaging requirements before any final rule takes effect
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