Regulatory Dynamics: New entry requirements for electric cycling equipment in Australia
New entry requirements for electric cycling equipment in New South Wales, Australia:
With the popularity of electric cycling equipment, lithium-ion battery-related fires are occurring frequently, with 45 lithium-ion battery-related fires occurring in New South Wales this year. In order to enhance the safety of electric cycling devices and the lithium-ion batteries used in them, as well as reduce the risk of fire, in August 2024, the state government issued a proclamation, Electric bicycles, electric scooters, self-balancing scooters and the lithium-ion batteries used to power these devices are included in the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 2017) (the bill mainly controls declared electrical products), requiring that these products must meet the relevant electrical safety standards, of which such controlled products are called declared electrical articles.Such products were not previously included in the declaration of electrical products for control, Compliance with the minimum Safety requirements and AS/NZ set out in the Gas and Electricity Safety (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2018 (which primarily governs non-declared electrical products) 3820:2009 Part of the applicable clause requirements for the basic safety requirements for low-voltage electrical equipment and the Australian standards prescribed by the relevant certification bodies. Today, electric cycling equipment and its batteries are included in the declared electrical products, which need to meet the requirements of the new mandatory safety standards.
From February 2025, mandatory safety standards apply to these products, and by February 2026, only these products that meet the safety standards can be sold in NSW.
New mandatory safety standards
The product must meet any of the following criteria.
|
Product type |
Standard |
|
E-bike |
For electric bicycles with a maximum continuous rated output not exceeding 500W: l AS 15194:2016，or l EN 15194:2017+A1:2023，or l UL 2849 For e-bikes with a maximum continuous rated output of more than 500W: l UL 2849 |
|
Electric bicycle battery |
l EN 50604-1:2016+A1:2021，or l IEC 62133-2:2017，or l UL 2271 |
|
（e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards） |
l AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023 ，0r l EN 17128，or l UL 2272 |
|
（e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards batteries） |
l AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023 ，or l UL 2271 |
Marking requirement
- All products included in the list of declared electrical products must be marked with the relevant recognition mark, including the certificate number of the product.
- The logo must be printed on the product and the package.
- The logo must be clearly and permanently displayed.
Critical time point
- In February 2025, mandatory safety standards came into force.
- In August 2025, mandatory testing and certification requirements will be implemented.
- In February 2026, mandatory labeling requirements will be implemented.
MCM Tips
From February 2025, electric cycling devices sold in the Australian state of New Wales 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, and relevant manufacturers with import needs in the 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 riding equipment and its related lithium-ion battery products.