Classification of Electric Personal Mobility Devices that Require Charging as Controlled Goods

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. This includes 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 the Personal Mobility Devices 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 battery as being listed but that is something that I am sure SPRING Singapore can take a look at and see if they 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 Personal Mobility Devices 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.