H.R. 973: Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act

This bill, titled the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, aims to establish safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in certain consumer products, particularly in light electric vehicles and micromobility devices, such as e-bikes and personal electric mobility devices. Key aspects of the bill include:

Establishment of Safety Standards

The bill mandates that within 180 days of its enactment, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) must adopt as final safety standards the existing ANSI/CAN/UL standards for:

• Batteries for use in light electric vehicle applications (ANSI/CAN/UL 2271)
• Safety for electrical systems for e-bikes (ANSI/CAN/UL 2849)
• Electrical systems for personal e-mobility devices (ANSI/CAN/UL 2272)

Scope of Standards

The CPSC is required to limit the application of these safety standards to consumer products as defined in the Consumer Product Safety Act.

Revisions of Standards

If the aforementioned voluntary standards are revised after the bill is enacted, the organization that revised the standard must notify the CPSC. Those revisions will be treated as consumer product safety standards unless the CPSC determines that the revision does not enhance safety, in which case the existing standards would remain in effect.

Reporting on Hazards

Five years after the enactment of the bill, the CPSC must report to Congress on incidents related to fires, explosions, and hazards concerning lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility products. The report will include:

• Information sources for incidents reported
• The make and model of the batteries and products involved in incidents
• Compliance status of those batteries with the standards set by the bill
• Manufacturers and countries of manufacture for the batteries involved in incidents, if known

Implications of the Bill

This legislation aims to enhance consumer safety by ensuring that lithium-ion batteries meet specific standards that can help reduce the risks of accidents, fires, and explosions related to their use. By having a structured approach to safety standards and reporting, the intention is to improve overall safety awareness and product reliability in the market.

Relevant Companies

• TSLA - Tesla: Tesla manufactures electric vehicles and products that heavily rely on lithium-ion battery technology.
• NKE - Nike: Nike has begun integrating smart technology into its products, potentially involving lithium-ion batteries.
• GOOGL - Alphabet Inc.: Google's parent company develops various consumer electronics that may use lithium-ion batteries.
• AAPL - Apple Inc.: Apple produces a range of consumer devices, including smartphones and laptops that utilize lithium-ion batteries.