CPSC Proposes Mandatory Safety Standards for Micromobility Batteries
Importers of electric bikes and scooters must prepare for mandatory federal testing as voluntary battery safety rules end.
Briefing
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission published a proposed rule setting mandatory federal safety standards for lithium-ion batteries and electrical systems used in micromobility products. Importers and supply chain managers must shift from voluntary testing to mandatory third-party laboratory audits, requiring redesigned battery enclosures and renegotiated supplier contracts to stay compliant. The proposed rule directly modifies and mandates 3 distinct safety standards for electric bicycles, personal mobility devices, and standalone replacement batteries.
Context
Procurement desks previously assumed that voluntary adherence to Underwriters Laboratories standards was enough to manage liability and clear customs. Buyers were watching localized rules, such as California’s Senate Bill 1271, while debating whether the federal government would intervene to unify fragmented state regulations. The central question was when, or if, the agency would enforce a single nationwide standard to block cheap, uncertified imports bypassing regional rules.
Analysis
The Consumer Product Safety Commission shifted the regulatory baseline by converting voluntary testing protocols into mandatory federal rules with stricter, agency-specific provisions. The primary driver is a surge in lithium-ion battery fires, which the CPSC attributes to poor manufacturing quality and inadequate voluntary safeguards. This change creates a strict filter at ports of entry , stopping uncertified electrical components and forcing every factory to secure formal third-party certification. For buyers, the impact flows down the supply chain through bottlenecks at accredited testing laboratories. Suppliers must submit complete electrical assemblies, including battery management systems and chargers, for evaluation. That requirement drives up unit costs, adds months to production lead times, and forces suppliers to redesign battery housings to prevent consumer cell tampering.
Parameters
- CFR Part ~ 16 CFR Part 1265 is the proposed federal regulatory section governing lithium-ion micromobility battery safety.
- Incorporated standards ~ Three standards ~ UL 2849, UL 2272, and UL 2271 ~ are adopted by reference with added agency modifications.
- Docket identifier ~ Docket CPSC-2025-0012 is the official filing code tracking the rulemaking’s progress.
- Comment period end ~ August 24, 2026, was the deadline for manufacturers to submit written technical suggestions on the rule.
Outlook
In the coming quarters, buyers must monitor whether the CPSC publishes the finalized rule in the Federal Register, setting the official compliance start date. The return of a three-commissioner voting quorum in late 2026 indicates the agency will move quickly toward final approval. The text of the final rule will define the transition window for factory retooling and clarify whether existing inventory can clear customs without the new certification marks.
Verdict
Importers of electric bicycles and scooters must immediately audit their factory partners for UL certification readiness before federal authorities finalize mandatory testing standards.