The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has notified manufacturers and importers of self-balancing scooters (also known as hoverboards) of the importance of compliance with all applicable voluntary safety standards, including UL 2272, Outline of Investigation for Electrical Systems for Self-Balancing Scooters, published in February 2016.
In a February 18, 2016 letter to manufacturers, importers and retailers, Robert Howell, Acting Director of the CPSC’s Office of Compliance and Field Operations, notes that the Commission received 52 separate reports of hoverboard-related fires during the period from December 1, 2015 through February 17, 2016. These incidents resulted in over $2 million in property damage, including the destruction of two homes and an automobile.
According to Howell, the CPSC considers hoverboards that do not meet all applicable safety standards to be defective, and may seek a recall of any hoverboards that are not compliant, or detain or seize any non-compliant hoverboards at their point of importation.
Read the complete text of the CPSC’s letter regarding hoverboards.
