The Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer, Kelly O'Dwyer MP today introduced a new national mandatory safety standard for self-balancing scooters, also known as hoverboards.
Minister O’Dwyer took this action following advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that hoverboards that do not meet safety standards for batteries and related circuits create a risk of death or serious injury.
“The safety standard, which was developed through consultation with suppliers and electrical safety experts, extends the same controls that were in place under an interim ban,” Minister O’Dwyer said.
“The mandatory safety standard will be introduced under the Australian Consumer Law and will be in force for two years from 17 July 2016.
“The ACCC’s investigation found there are fire safety risks from defective charging devices, electrical circuitry and substandard lithium-ion batteries.
“There have already been six house fires in Australia directly linked to the scooters, which has resulted in the destruction of two houses.
“The ACCC will work with state and territory electrical safety regulators to develop a longer-term solution.
“Consumers who already have self-balancing scooters should check to see if they have been recalled and should not charge or use them unless their supplier confirms that their hoverboard meets these safety requirements.
“I encourage consumers to visit the ACCC website for further information, including whether your hoverboard has been recalled,” Minister O’Dwyer said.
Retailers and suppliers can find further information on the ACCC website.
Today’s action follows the Minister issuing a Safety Warning Notice and announcing the ACCC investigation in January, and in March imposing an interim ban on unsafe hoverboards.