Classification of Electric Personal Mobility Devices that Require Charging as Controlled Goods
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the classification of electric personal mobility devices (PMDs) and their batteries as controlled goods under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Registration Scheme. Associate Professor Daniel Goh Pei Siong inquired about safety standards following battery-related fires, while Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Dr Koh Poh Koon clarified that only charging adaptors are currently regulated. The Senior Minister of State noted that 45 categories of household goods are presently controlled and stated that SPRING Singapore will assess if batteries should also be included. This review follows an increase in electric fire incidents attributed to the rising adoption and overnight charging of such devices. The government aims to ensure all components used in PMDs meet the necessary safety requirements for household use.
Transcript
27 Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) whether electric bicycles, electric scooters and other personal mobility devices requiring the charging of their batteries are designated as controlled goods under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Registration Scheme and, if not, whether they should be so designated to ensure they meet safety standards.
The Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Dr Koh Poh Koon) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry)): The Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations (CPSR) were introduced to safeguard consumers' interests in ensuring that household consumer goods are safe for use. There are currently 45 product categories of typical household goods that have been designated as controlled goods under the Regulations. These include the adaptors that are used for charging of Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs), such as electric bicycles and scooters, which have to be registered with SPRING Singapore as the appointed Safety Authority and affixed with the Safety Mark before supply or sale in Singapore.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong (Non-Constituency Member): I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State if this covers the batteries for PMDs because these are problems that are causing consumer safety issues in the households.
Dr Koh Poh Koon: There is a specific list of items that are included. I do not see batteries as being listed but that is something that I am sure SPRING Singapore can take a look at to see if batteries need or ought to be included as well.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong: Is SPRING Singapore actually looking into this issue because the number of incidents of fires caused by batteries charging overnight for PMDs is increasing.
Dr Koh Poh Koon: There is a slight increase in incidence of such electric fires, partly also because of the increasing adoption of devices like these. This is something that we can ask SPRING to have a look at.