Retailers' Concerns over Existing PMD Stocks that Do Not Meet New Fire Safety Requirement
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns retailer anxieties regarding non-UL2272 compliant personal mobility device (PMD) inventories, as raised by Miss Cheng Li Hui. Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan explained that over 80 fire incidents since 2016 led to the mandatory adoption of the UL2272 safety standard. He noted that a nine-month transition period was provided to allow retailers to adjust stock or re-export non-compliant devices before sales restrictions began. LTA is currently supporting retailers by facilitating access to testing and certification through accredited bodies to assist in the transition. Furthermore, the authorities remain open to considering alternative safety standards that effectively mitigate fire risks within the local context.
Transcript
33 Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the fire safety criterion for PMDs (a) how does the Government plan to address the concerns of retailers who are holding stocks of devices that do not meet the requirements but are unable to sell them due to declining sales; (b) whether interim assistance can be provided for retailers to ensure that some of their devices meet the UL2272 Safety Standard; and (c) whether the authorities will allow alternative safety standards beyond UL2272.
Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Since 2016, there have been more than 80 fire incidents involving motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs), posing danger to the users, their immediate families and their neighbours. LTA made known its intention to study and apply product safety requirements on PMDs in November 2017. After studying the available international standards, LTA announced in September 2018 that the UL2272 standard will be applied to the sale of motorised PMDs in Singapore from July 2019, and to the use of motorised PMDs on public paths in Singapore from January 2021.
To mitigate the impact on PMD retailers, LTA has provided retailers with a transition period of nine months to switch their inventories to comply with the regulations. Retailers can also choose to re-export devices that do not comply with the standard.
To support the retailers during this transition period, LTA has been engaging retailers to address their queries and to provide more information on the testing and certification process for UL2272. LTA is also working closely with accredited certification bodies to make testing and certification more easily accessible to the retailers.
LTA is also open to considering other safety standards which are found adequate for reducing fire risks for motorised PMDs and are suitable for our local context.