China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) will enforce a ban on uncertified power banks on domestic flights starting June 28. This decision is based on safety concerns related to lithium batteries. Power banks lacking a valid China Compulsory Certification (3C mark), unclear labeling, or associated with recalled products will be prohibited.

This decision follows recent incidents involving defective power banks. Earlier in June, several Chinese universities reported fire risks linked to a 20,000mAh power bank made by Shenzhen gadget manufacturer Romoss. The market regulator subsequently ordered the company to recall nearly 492,000 units manufactured between June 2023 and July 2024.

Anker Innovations, another prominent electronics brand, also recalled around 710,000 power banks globally on June 20 due to safety risks. Both recalls were associated with issues concerning battery cell materials. These raised alarms over overheating and fire hazards.

The new rule is particularly strict, as 3C certification for lithium-ion batteries and related products only becomes mandatory starting August 1, 2024. This means all power banks and spare batteries purchased before that date will be barred from domestic flights.

At this stage, the new restrictions apply only to domestic flights within China. International flights will not be affected for the time being.

The CAAC has instructed airlines and airports to enhance inspections. They are also to improve emergency response measures and expand charging facilities at terminals to ensure compliance with the new policies.

🔗 Source: China Daily

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ China’s policy follows a global pattern of increasing lithium-ion battery regulations

China’s new flight restrictions on uncertified power banks reflect worldwide concerns about lithium-ion battery safety that have been growing since the technology’s commercial introduction in 1991.

Despite significant safety improvements over three decades, with failure rates improving from one-in-200,000 to one-in-10 million, high-profile incidents continue to drive regulatory action 1.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and aviation authorities globally have been implementing stricter guidelines in response to incidents like mid-flight power bank fires, restricting battery capacity and requiring storage in carry-on rather than checked luggage 2.

This trend extends beyond China, with airlines worldwide revising their policies on portable power sources to enhance passenger safety, particularly as higher-capacity devices become more common 2.

China’s August 1st deadline making 3C certification mandatory for all lithium-ion batteries represents a significant escalation in enforcement compared to previous voluntary compliance models.

2️⃣ Product recalls reflect the massive scale and economic impact of quality issues

The Romoss and Anker recalls—affecting nearly 1.2 million power banks combined—highlight the substantial financial and reputational risks when battery safety issues emerge.