With the popularity of electric cycling equipment, lithium-ion battery-related fires are occurring frequently, 45 of which occur in New South Wales this year. In order to enhance the safety of electric cycling equipment and the lithium-ion batteries used in them, as well as reduce the risk of fire, the state government issued a proclamation in August 2024. The proclamation includes electric bicycles, electric scooters, self-balancing scooters and the lithium-ion batteries used to power these equipments in the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017. The act mainly controls declared electrical articles, requiring that these products must meet the relevant electrical safety standards, of which such controlled products are called declared electrical articles.

Products, not previously included in declared electrical articles, shall comply with the minimum safety requirements set out in the Gas and Electricity Safety (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2018 (which primarily controls non-declared electrical products), and part of the applicable clause requirements of AS/NZ 3820:2009 the basic safety requirements for low-voltage electrical equipment, as well as the Australian standards prescribed by the pertinent certification bodies. At present, electric cycling equipment and its batteries are included in the declared electrical articles, which need to meet the requirements of the new mandatory safety standards.

From February 2025, mandatory safety standards for these products will come into effect, and by February 2026, only those products that meet the safety standards will be available for sale in NSW.

New Mandatory Safety Standards

Products must meet one of the following standards.

Certification Modes

1) Samples of each product (model) must be tested by an approved testing laboratory.

2) The test report for each product (model) must be submitted to NSW Fair Trading or any other REAS for certification together with other relevant documents (as specified by the certification bodies), including the underlying electrical safety regulatory bodies of other states.

3) The certification bodies will verify the documents and issue a product approval certificate with the required product mark after verification.

Note: The list of certification bodies can be found at the following link.

https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/trades-and-businesses/business-essentials/selling-goods-and-services/electrical-articles/approval-of-electrical-articles

Labeling Requirements

• All products on the list of declared electrical articles must be labeled with the relevant recognition
• The logo must be displayed on products and packages.
• The logo must be clearly and permanently displayed.
• Examples of the mark are as follows:

Key Time Point

In February 2025, mandatory safety standards will come into force.

In August 2025, mandatory testing and certification requirements will be implemented.

In February 2026, mandatory labeling requirements will be implemented.

MCM Warm Prompts

From February 2025, electric cycling equipment sold in the NSW and lithium-ion batteries used to power such uses will need to meet new mandatory safety standards. After the mandatory safety standards are implemented, the state government will give a one-year transition period to implement the requirements. Relevant manufacturers with import needs in this region should be prepared in advance to ensure that their products meet the requirements of the standards, or they will face fines or worse if they are found to be non-compliant.

It is reported that the state government is currently negotiating with the federal government, hoping to strengthen the relevant laws on the use of lithium-ion batteries, so the subsequent Australian government may introduce relevant laws to control electric cycling equipment and its related lithium-ion battery products.