For the first time, consumers can now purchase self-balancing scooters (commonly known as hoverboards) that comply with safety standards. UL announced on May 10, 2016, that it has issued the first safety certification to UL 2272, Outline of Investigation for Electrical Systems for Self-Balancing Scooters. Hoverboard model N3M320, manufactured by Ninebot (Segway’s parent company) was given the official certificate of compliance after completing a construction evaluation, safety testing, and complying with UL 2272’s marking, labeling, and user instruction requirements.
This first safety certification is an important milestone for the safety of these popular devices, which have been known to overheat and burst into flames. After dozens of consumers reported spontaneous hoverboard fires, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) launched a safety investigation in December 2015. As the investigation began, CPSC and UL issued statements reminding the public that although UL was developing relevant standards, no hoverboards had been certified yet. Furthermore, they warned that hoverboards packaged with UL marks were at a minimum misleading (the battery might have passed testing on its own, but not within a hoverboard), and likely to be a sign of a counterfeit product.
In February 2016 UL published UL 2272, and now that Ninebot’s model N3M320 has been certified, it can be found in UL’s certification database. The list of certified products will continually be updated as more product manufacturers are certified to UL 2272. Consumers can also identify UL-certified hoverboards in the marketplace by looking for holographic product labels featuring the UL Enhanced Mark.
