South Korea - Draft Amendments to Annex 40 (Bicycles) of the Safety Standards for Consumer Products Subject to Safety Confirmation has been Published to address the Increasing Number of Battery Fire Incidents Involving Electric Bicycles

​The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) has proposed amendments to Annex 40 (Bicycles) of the Safety Standards for Consumer Products Subject to Safety Confirmation to address the increasing number of battery fire incidents involving electric bicycles.

The draft amendment introduces new testing requirements for electric bicycle electrical components, including a waterproof test based on international standards to prevent water ingress, as well as over-discharge and over-current tests aligned with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's battery safety requirements for two-wheeled vehicles.

In addition, the proposal updates the referenced standards in the safety criteria and clarifies the scope of application for electric bicycles, thereby strengthening the overall regulatory framework.