CPSC Tells Hoverboard Companies to Comply with UL Outline

CPSC February 18 issued an open letter to industry saying it will take regulatory action against hoverboards that do not meet recently-developed UL requirements. Noncompliant imports will be subject to detention and seizure, and CPSC will seek recalls of any sold in the U.S. The agency also warned companies of their Section 15 reporting duties. The letter is at 1.usa.gov/1SWVjol.

The requirements are in UL 2272, Outline of Investigation for Electrical Systems for Self-Balancing Scooters. UL announced the outline earlier in February (PSL, 2/8/16). It addresses drive trains, batteries, and charger systems. The organization also said it would offer testing and certification.

Meanwhile, ASTM's F15.58 subcommittee is working on its own standard, and CPSC staff will be participating in a discussion February 24. That panel, in the past, has created standards for powered scooters and skateboards.

CPSC also released a 3:33-minute B-roll video of its testing activity. See bit.ly/1oQ7wOD.

Until now, federal regulatory action mostly has involved Customs and Border Protection seizures of units that somehow violated intellectual property rights. That agency recently reported (PSL, 2/15/16) that it so far had stopped about 50,000 units worth about $20 million.

However, CPSC began its behind-the-scenes work in December with an announcement (PSL, 12/21/15) that it would be conducting field investigations, taking possession of units involved in fires, buying others, and testing both burnt and new ones.

The U.S. Fire Administration has given coding advice for NFIRS reports (see related brief in this issue).