The United Kingdom is preparing new battery safety standards within current legislation. Insurance Business Magazine confirms that these new rules target ‘electric power-assisted bicycles and lithium ion batteries’. This move follows several similar initiatives in the United States, especially in New York City where delivery scooters are causing many fires.
Legislative Framework For Battery Safety Standards
The new standards – which must go before Parliament for approval – will form part of the existing Product Safety and Metrology Regulations. This instrument provides a framework for ensuring that items meet certain safety, accuracy, or environmental protection requirements.
The new initiative was detailed in the King’s recent speech at the opening of the current session of Parliament. This traditional event outlines the ruling party’s legislative program for the year. The new regulations will detail suppliers’ legal responsibilities – including on the internet – and enforcement measures.
The Timing Of The New Initiative
Current UK regulations allow e-bike manufacturers to self-certify their products for safety, according to Insurance Business Magazine. This offers a loophole for substandard products to enter the market.
Prestige Underwriting has noted a ‘significant increase’ in the average value of fire-related home insurance claims in the UK. These now exceed £24,000, and it partly attributes this to domestic use of lithium-ion batteries. This trend could continue escalating as these battery fires proliferate.
“We urgently need legislative change to reduce the risk to households from these devastating fires,” according to a Prestige Underwriting spokesperson. “And we warmly welcome the Government’s intention to legislate.
“While it is early in the process and there is much work to be done, we encourage other insurers to support the Bill to reduce risks to human life and property.” As would we too, if we were trading in the United Kingdom.
More Information
More Information
Battery Storage Projects Under Threat in UK
Avoiding Home Battery Fires and Accidents
