MIAMI – Hoverboards have become one of the biggest consumer product safety concerns this year, after reports of injuries and dozens catching fire. And some entrepreneurs investing on the hoverboards are finding out the hard way that the federal government can seize their property.
Most recently, The Consumer Product Safety Commission reminded manufactures, importers and retailers doing business with the coveted hoverboards that they will be at a loss if the federal government deems their product unsafe.
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In a letter dated Feb. 18, the CPSC warned that for the hoverboards to be deemed safe they must meet specific standards or face a potential recall or seizure at ports of entry.
Robert J. Howell, director of the CPSC's office of compliance and field operations warned that the hoverboards must "comply with currently applicable voluntary safety standards."
Howell also said that all lithium ion battery products used to power the hoverboards must comply with the current test requirements.
In a newly released video, the CPSC showcases scientists and engineers testing the hoverboards to determine what is making them catch on fire.
Since Dec. 1, 2015 through Feb. 17 the CPSC received 52 fire reports from consumers in 24 states, Howell said. The fires have reportedly caused more than $2 million in property damage to include the destruction of two homes and a car.
Regulators believe many of those incidents and risk of injury could have been avoided if they were made in compliance with the referenced voluntary safety standards.
"The CPSC staff will follow-up as appropriate in the future to ensure that the firms are meeting their obligations in this area," Howell said in the letter.
MORE ON THE LETTER
In the letter, Howell sites several federal laws related to consumer protection from hazardous products.
- The Consumer Product Safety Act CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2051-2089
- Section 15 CPSA 15 U.S.C. 2064 (a)
- Section 12 CPSA 15 U.S.C. 2061 (a)
- Section 15(b) CPSA 15 U.S.C. 2064(b)
Howell sites a study by UL Standards, an organization that specializes on safety research.
- UL 2272 published Jan. 29, 2016
Howell also sites a United Nations' manual and a section that mentions how to handle devices.
- UN/DOT 38.3 Transport of Dangerous Goods for Lithium Metal and Lithium Ion Batteries