Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh Releases Letter to Amazon to Ensure Only Legal Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Sold on Its Site

October 13, 2023

NEW YORK – New York City Fire Department Commissioner Laura Kavanagh today sent a letter to online-retailer Amazon, urging the retail giant to make sure it only sells lithium-ion batteries and powered micro-mobility devices that meet legal safety standards.

NYC Local law 39 —which went into effect September 16, 2023 — prohibits the sale, lease, rental, or distribution of powered micro-mobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters, unless the electrical systems and batteries for the devices have been certified by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard.

"As a global leader in e-commerce, Amazon has a crucial role to play in promoting safety and responsibility when it comes to the sale of e-micromobility devices,” said New York City Mayor Adams. “All retailers are expected to follow the law by only selling lithium-ion batteries and powered micro-mobility devices that meet legal safety standards as we set a precedent for a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future in New York City.”

Members of the Adams Administration met with Amazon executives this spring and were encouraged by the response that Amazon’s team is in the process of updating its policy and controls to align with the new law. The following letter calls on Amazon to confirm that happened:

General Counsel Zapolsky:

I am writing to make you aware of New York City Local Law 39 of 2023, which prohibits the sale, lease, rental, or distribution of powered bicycles, powered mobility devices unless the electrical system for any such device has been certified by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 2272 or equivalent standard. It further prohibits the sale, lease, rental, or distribution of storage batteries for powered bicycle or powered mobility devices unless the batteries have been certified by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 2271 or equivalent standard. Local Law 39 went into effect on September 16, 2023.

As I recently noted in testimony before the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, the New York City Fire Department has been carefully tracking the increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in micro-mobility devices. These batteries are commonly found in e-bikes, e-scooters, and other devices such as electric skateboards and hoverboards. The recent upward trend of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries has had a devastating effect on New Yorkers. We have reached a point of crisis: FDNY has already responded to 101 injuries stemming from micro-mobility device fires in 2023. With 14 deaths to date this year, lithium-ion batteries are now a top cause of fatal fires in New York.

As the most ubiquitous online retailer in the country, Amazon is in a position to save lives by reducing the number of prohibited devices on the streets of New York. We are aware that batteries that do not meet UL standard 2272 are available for sale on Amazon - these batteries are directly contributing to an increase in fire incidents and endangering the lives of New Yorkers. Members of the Administration met with your public policy team on June 1 to discuss this issue, and we were encouraged by your team’s June 26 response that Amazon is in the process of updating your policy and controls to align with New York City law by September 16. Please confirm that only devices that meet legal standards are sold to New Yorkers via your website.

Thank you for your partnership on this matter and I look forward to your response.