Hoverboard Testing and Certification

Hoverboards, the latest self-balancing scooters on the market today with one or more wheels and generally lithium-ion battery powered, have experienced recent bans by not only multiple airlines but some influential retailers in the past couple months. Intertek, as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), can offer solutions to not only meet the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) but also meet or exceed major retailers’ requirements. We offer a 360° suite of solutions for your hoverboard technology including:

Contact us for Hoverboard Safety Testing

U.S.

Physical Property Testing - Involving an assessment of the construction, overall performance, labeling, packaging and marking of the devices.

Chemical Testing - Examining chemical requirements including CPSIA 101 Total Lead in coating and substrate, CPSIA Phthalate, mercury content, TCPH, CA PROP 65 and ASTM F963 Heavy metal.

UL 2272 (Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices) - Applies specifically to the electrical drive train system for electric powered self-balancing scooters (hoverboards) - including power supply and battery packs. However it does not evaluate the overall safety (i.e. mechanical hazards and driving performance related parameters) of hoverboards. Intertek as an NRTL can test and certify to UL 2272.

Battery Chargers - Such power usage should be examined and risks such as overheating and electric shock mitigated during the design phase of the device. Battery charger testing and certification includes to UL 1310, UL 1012 AND UL 60950-1.

Batteries - The potential risks associated with of lithium batteries including rupture of the cell and fire hazards require that the batteries themselves be tested. Battery testing includes certification to UL 2580, UL 1642 and UL 2054, as well as testing to the UN 38.3 transportation requirements.

Battery Packs - To ensure proper operating voltage, operating temperature and charge/discharge current, battery packs are tested to UL 2271, which takes into consideration the more severe handling and usage conditions that come into play with hoverboards.

Software - To address potential risks in failure of microprocessors that could result in fire, shock or injury, as well as QA validation for GPS technology. Software and functional safety testing includes to UL 991, UL 1998, UL 60730-1 AND IEC 61508-1.

EU

For the EU, Intertek has developed an engineering judgement by which battery powered hoverboards and similar vehicles can be evaluated.  Within the EU, hoverboards are considered as machines, and as such will be evaluated under the requirements of the machinery directive, which are as follows:

*The standards referenced below relate to the latest version and amendment status at the time of testing

Charging Circuit Evaluation for Overcharge Protection - To ensure that the design of the hoverboard incorporates overcharge protection for the batteries.

Risk Assessment - In accordance with EN ISO 12100-1 to evaluate for such hazards as cutting or severing, entanglements, stabbing or puncture and being thrown of machine parts or workpieces.

Battery and Battery Pack Evaluation - For compliance with EN/IEC 62133. In addition, battery packs will be tested for compliance with UN 38.3*

Charging Circuit and Battery Charger Evaluation - For compliance with relevant clauses of EN/IEC 60335-2-29. Circuitry that is associated with overcharge protection will be classified as a Protective Electronic Circuit (PEC) in accordance with the requirements of sub-clause 19.11.3.

Other Parts of the Electrical System - Including motors, motor control electronics and gyros, etc. will be assessed to the relevant clauses of EN/IEC 60950-1.

Mechanical Evaluation - Conducted in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC Annex I

Chemical Testing - Including WEEE, REACH, RoHS, Mercury Content (Battery Directive 2013/56/EU amendment 2006/66/EC), EN71-3 heavy metal test and 94/62/EC Packaging waste.