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Chinese authorities have strengthened safety standards for portable power sources, imposing more rigorous requirements on existing regulations following a series of safety issues last year.
The new Safety Technical Specifications for Mobile Power Banks, issued yesterday by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, expand on previous standards for portable electronic devices, emphasizing safety in five critical areas.
Effective from April 1 next year, the updated rules call for enhanced protections against high temperatures, overcharging, and physical stress. They introduce a novel “puncture test” for batteries to ensure higher quality cells and require manufacturers to assess lithium buildup after repeated use to mitigate internal short circuits over time.
The regulations also promote smarter battery management systems. Power banks must now continuously monitor key parameters such as voltage and temperature and be capable of recording and transmitting data related to abnormal conditions. Additionally, a new traceability requirement mandates each device to have a unique identification code, enabling consumers to verify product details.
Manufacturers will also have to improve risk management throughout the entire production process, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing, to reinforce safety from the start.
During a 12-month transition period, companies can choose whether to adhere to the previous standards or adopt the new ones, providing ample time for adjustments. After this period, all mobile power sources are expected to comply with the updated regulations.
This initiative follows safety hazards reported in June last year, including explosions of power banks at several Chinese universities. In response, manufacturers like Romoss and Anker Innovations voluntarily recalled around 1.2 million units, while their main component supplier, Apex Wuxi, faced investigations and production suspensions.
In the same month, China’s aviation authority issued an emergency directive banning passengers from carrying power banks lacking 3C certification on flights.
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