U.S. Compliance Guide: Basic Requirements for Electric Bicycles (e-bikes)

10 CFR Part 430 – Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products

Federal Regulation 10 CFR Part 430 sets forth design requirements and performance standards for energy-using consumer products, including components on electric bicycles such as battery chargers and lighting products. Specifically:
a. Appendix BB of Regulation Attachment B establishes testing methods for several lighting products, including LED lamps, to measure energy consumption.
b. Appendix Y and Y1 of Regulation Attachment B provides unified testing methods for measuring the energy consumption of battery chargers.

Additionally, 10 CFR Part 430 also specifies required testing standards, such as:
a. IES LM-84: Approved methods for measuring light output and color maintenance of LED lamps, light engines, and luminaires.
b. IEC 62040-3: Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems. Part 3: Methods for specifying performance and test requirements.

10 CFR Part 429 – Certification, Compliance, and Enforcement for Consumer, Commercial, and Industrial Equipment

Federal Regulation 10 CFR Part 429 specifies certification procedures and compliance requirements for consumer products covered under Part 429, including components like battery chargers and lighting products for electric bicycles. Importers and manufacturers must submit certification reports to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), which must include a compliance statement and the following information for each model:

• Product or equipment type
• Product or equipment registration
• Manufacturer name and address
• Private brand owner name and address (if applicable)
• Brand name
• Basic model number and unique product identifier provided by the manufacturer
• Submission details (e.g., new model)
• Testing sample specifications
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Importer ID
• Whether certification is based on any testing procedure exemptions, along with the exemption date
• Whether certification is based on any exemptions from relevant energy efficiency standards, along with the waiver date issued by the DoE.

Parts 429.14 to 429.63 of 10 CFR Part 429 list specific product information.

Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR)

HMR sets forth transportation requirements for hazardous materials, including lithium batteries typically carried by electric bicycles. The HMR product requirements include:

• Ensuring lithium metal batteries meet packaging requirements and quantity limits or bans as outlined in the hazardous materials table
• Product testing
• Providing a UN 38.3 test summary
• Proper labeling of the product

Document requirements:

• A UN 38.3 test summary
• Shipping documents
• Shipper’s declaration

Labeling requirements:
According to Part D of 49 CFR Part 172, product labels must:

• Be corrosion-resistant, in English, and affixed or printed on the package surface or label, marker, or tag
• Be displayed against a contrasting background
• Be free from obstruction by any other labels
• Be positioned away from other labels

It’s important to note that Part 172 of 49 CFR also specifies special requirements for lithium batteries contained in equipment. Additional labeling requirements for lithium batteries can be found in Part 173.185 of 49 CFR.

UL Standards

While not legally binding unless cited by law, UL standards are usually recommended. Manufacturers or exporters are encouraged to test products to UL standards to ensure safety. Unsafe products may face recalls, and platforms like Amazon may not allow sales unless the manufacturer or seller can demonstrate that products meet the relevant UL standard requirements.

Possible UL standards related to electric bicycles and personal electric mobility devices include:

• UL 2849: Electric systems for electric bicycles
  This standard applies to electrically powered assist bicycles (EPAC) with pedal assist and non-pedal assist electric bicycles powered by lithium-based rechargeable batteries.
• UL 2272: Electric systems for personal electric mobility devices
  This standard specifies requirements for personal electric mobility devices and electric scooters' powertrain systems, including battery systems, circuits, and electrical components. It aims to assess the safety of components related to energy and electrical shock hazards, such as powertrain systems, batteries, and battery chargers.

UL Standards for Lithium Batteries

Electric bicycles may contain lithium batteries and operate using lithium batteries. Therefore, UL standards related to lithium batteries may also be relevant to electric bicycles, so manufacturers and exporters are encouraged to pay attention.

For more compliance information about U.S. lithium battery regulations, visit:

• U.S. Compliance Guide: Overview of Lithium Battery Regulations
• Guide to Exporting to the U.S.: Button and Coin Cell Batteries

ASTM Standards

Like UL standards, ASTM standards are usually recommended and help ensure consumer safety in the U.S. market. Currently, there are no specific ASTM standards directly applicable to electric bicycles, but two consumer safety specifications may be relevant to certain electric bicycle product categories:

• ASTM WK88946: New standard for electric hoverboards
• ASTM F2641-23: Standard consumer safety specification for recreational electric scooters and small bicycles

RoHS

Various U.S. states have RoHS regulations, restricting the use or presence of heavy metals in electronic devices. This system applies to electric bicycles as they contain electronic devices (e.g., bicycle displays) and wires that may contain heavy metals. For example, California’s RoHS regulations cover electronic devices with screens larger than 4 inches, such as video display equipment. Manufacturers should pay attention to specific state requirements where products are sold.

State Electric Bicycle Laws

Many U.S. states have specific laws governing electric bicycles, including age restrictions, electric bicycle classifications, operating licenses, and registration requirements. Here are a few examples of state-level electric bicycle regulations in the U.S.:
a. California – AB-1096: Vehicles: Electric Bicycles
b. New York – Vehicle and Traffic Law (VAT), Chapter 71, Part 7, Section 34, Article 1238
c. Georgia – Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) Section 40-6-300

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