I am pleased that we have moved this proposed rule forward today and that it will be published in the Federal Register for public comment. 

In 2023, the CPSC held a forum on lithium-ion battery fires in micromobility products. The forum focused attention on a growing market of cheap, shoddily made batteries – mostly from foreign manufacturers – that create unnecessary risks to American consumers. At that event, the New York Fire Commissioner spoke about the devastating impact of lithium-ion battery fires in the city, including deadly fires that devastate entire apartment buildings. The consensus among participants was that mandatory standards were necessary to save lives and CPSC staff began to work toward this proposed rule. 

Last month in California, the need for this rule came into stark perspective once again. Three people died in a house fire ignited by a lithium-ion battery in an e-bike. The victims included a six-year-old girl and two members of her extended family. The little girl left behind her parents and a twin sister. 

I expect that there will be a robust comment period on this rule, but I am hopeful that staff will be able to move quickly to review those comments, make changes as needed, and send a final rule package up for our consideration. Publication of this proposed rule is overdue, and I look forward to consideration of a final package. 

It has been suggested that we should wait for Congress to pass legislation to address this hazard. While I support Congressional action, an all-hands approach is needed to address this hazard.  Congress can be capricious, and a single Senator can delay a bill’s progress. Our action today creates a second path to address the deadly hazard of e-bike battery fires. And while I hope Congress will be able to pass a law, the CPSC should not slow down its work as Americans continue to die in preventable fires.

What we do at this agency matters and it can save lives. And when we delay, we put lives at risk. We have a lot on our docket this year and I look forward to continuing to do the work of the Commission. No twin should have to grow up alone because of a defective consumer product.

*The views expressed in this statement are solely the views of Commissioner Hoehn-Saric and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission.