UL/ASTM Overlap on Hoverboards' Electronics Gets Attention

How to handle issues involving electricity was the most substantive portion of an October 6 ASTM task group session involving electronic components on self-balancing scooters. The SDO is developing a standard (PSL, 9/5/16), but UL has one too (UL 2272) that covers electrical risks like electrocution and fire. Some risks eyed at ASTM, however, involve electricity but the hazards are more mechanical – falls, finger pinches, etc. In launching its effort (PSL, 2/29/16), ASTM recognized this overlap.

There seemed to be a consensus among participants that some of their work will need to await the outcome of other task groups' projects as those could raise topics that involve electronics. On the other hand, there were questions about whether certain elements even should be in the electronics section. For example, CPSC has raised the possibility of including safety features like speed governors or interlocks for safely mounting and dismounting. Those are likely to be controlled by electronics, but not necessarily given the performance-not-design aspect of standards. An option might be at least to specify that they are covered if electronic.

There also was some discussion of ASTM and UL needing to reference each other's standards to ensure users know to comply with both. UL is participating in the ASTM project, and a staffer on the call voiced agreement.