Enforcement of Safety Standards for Outdoor Exercise Equipment to Begin on July 27 Next Year
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government has strengthened battery management standards for electric kickboards. This revision of safety standards comes in response to an increase in fire and explosion incidents. The revised safety standards are scheduled to take effect on August 1 next year. New safety standards have also been established for exercise equipment installed in parks and other public areas.
On the 7th, the National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it has revised the safety standards for "electric boards" and established safety standards for "outdoor exercise equipment."
Electric products such as electric kickboards and electric skateboards have had their safety management strengthened in consideration of the rise in battery fire incidents and increased demand for battery replacements.
According to the Korea Consumer Agency, there were 14 fire and explosion incidents involving electric kickboards in 2017, 8 in 2018, and 12 last year.
From now on, batteries that were previously managed as part of electric boards must be managed separately. The "overcharge test conditions," which apply a voltage 20% higher than before, will be strengthened. Battery safety standards have been adjusted to meet the latest international standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
The revised electric board safety standards will be enforced starting August 1 next year. Accordingly, even if safety confirmation reports were submitted under the previous safety standards, batteries used in electric boards shipped or cleared through customs after August 1 next year must undergo electrical product KC safety confirmation reporting according to the revised regulations.
Outdoor exercise equipment has been continuously highlighted for safety management needs due to safety accidents such as finger and neck entrapment, slipping, and the possibility of accidents caused by product aging.
On July 27, the National Institute of Technology and Standards amended and promulgated the Enforcement Rules of the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act, newly designating outdoor exercise equipment as consumer products subject to safety confirmation.
The Enforcement Rules of the Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act, along with the newly established and revised safety standards, will take effect on July 27 next year.
Manufacturers and importers must have their products tested by designated testing and inspection agencies and submit safety confirmation reports before shipment or customs clearance starting July 27 next year, and must mark the products with the KC mark and labeling information.
The full details of the newly established and revised safety standards for outdoor exercise equipment and electric boards can be found on the National Institute of Technology and Standards website and the Ministry of Government Legislation’s Legal Information Center.
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