What does the CPSC hearing on lithium-ion battery rules mean for e-bike owners?

The hearing is set for October 21

A webinar will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern time on October 21, 2026. Attendance is free. Anyone who wants to present must send a request with the full written text of their planned remarks to the Office of the Secretary by 5 p.m. Eastern time on October 15, 2026. The email address is cpsc-os@cpsc.gov and the subject line must read "Lithium-Ion Battery NPRM; Oral Presentation."

All presenters and listeners alike must pre-register at the Microsoft Teams link published in the notice. Registration closes at the same 5 p.m. deadline on October 15.

Five minutes per speaker

Oral presentations are capped at five minutes, not counting questions from Commissioners or staff. The presiding officer may impose additional limits to keep the hearing orderly. Groups with similar positions should choose a single spokesperson. The Commission voted 3-0 to publish this notification. A transcript will be kept and every oral comment becomes part of the official rulemaking record.

Background on the proposal

On June 24, 2026, CPSC published the notice of proposed rulemaking that this hearing addresses. That document cites an unreasonable risk of injury and death from hazards such as thermal runaway of lithium cells. The chain reaction can produce fires, explosions, gas releases, burns, overheating, and smoke inhalation. The NPRM proposes that electrical systems using lithium-ion batteries in micromobility products comply with applicable voluntary standards, with modifications. The docket number is CPSC-2025-0012 and the regulation identifier is RIN 3041-AE10. The proposed rule would amend 16 CFR Parts 1112 and 1265.

Nothing changes today

No immediate change for riders. The hearing is a procedural step required by the Consumer Product Safety Act. Section 9 of that law mandates both written comments and an opportunity for oral presentation. Written comments were already invited in June. This session satisfies the oral requirement. If you own a device today, the batteries inside it are not suddenly illegal or recalled. The notice does not say how many units currently in use would fail the proposed tests. It also does not describe enforcement plans for products already sold.

How to participate

Prepare a concise statement. Focus on specific provisions in the NPRM rather than general opinions. Email the text by the October 15 deadline. Register for the webinar using the same link whether you speak or only listen. The link appears in the ADDRESSES section of the Federal Register notice. For technical questions about the standard itself, contact Jay Kadiwala at (301) 987-2517 or jkadiwala@cpsc.gov. For procedural questions about the hearing, contact Alberta E. Mills at 301-504-7479 or cpsc-os@cpsc.gov.

What happens next

Regulators will review the transcript alongside all written submissions. No date for a final rule is announced in this notice. The regulatory process can take months or years. Owners of existing micromobility products should watch for the final rule publication, which will state an effective date and any compliance timeline. Until then, the voluntary standards referenced in the NPRM remain voluntary.