Intertek Develops Comprehensive, Worldwide Services for Hoverboard Safety and Quality
31 May 2016
Solutions Include Testing, Certification and Education
Chicago – Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, has developed comprehensive safety and quality solutions to assist hoverboard manufacturers with the design, production, and marketing of self-balancing scooters and similar devices. The services include physical property testing, battery testing, risk assessment, chemical testing and software and mechanical evaluations, drawing off Intertek’s expertise and the guidance of a recently released electrical safety standard, UL 2272.
Intertek has also launched an education program for manufacturers in the U.S. and China, where a majority of hoverboards are manufactured. The educational outreach includes webinars, as well as a recent seminar in China on global market access requirements for self-balancing scooters, held in partnership with Shenzhen Institute of Standards and Technology and Shenzhen Academy of Metrology & Quality Inspection.
“As demand for emerging technology like hoverboards continues, it is important for manufacturers and retailers to develop a comprehensive testing regimen to infuse confidence and trust into the market place,” said Rich Adams, Senior Vice President at Intertek. “These services are part of Intertek’s commitment to provide comprehensive solutions to our customers that enable them to bring safer, higher quality products to market.”
Self-balancing scooters have become increasingly popular in recent years, with sales estimated to surpass $6 billion in 2016. However, until recently, no standard was in place to help ensure the safety of these devices, which include electrical charging components and lithium ion battery packs. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced that all self-balancing scooters manufactured, imported, distributed, or sold in the U.S. must comply with UL 2272. This decision was echoed in others markets including the European Union and Australia, making it essential for manufacturers to implement higher levels of quality assurance and address safety concerns at the design and testing stage well before it goes to market.
As a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), Intertek draws on a history of innovation and expertise to meet the requirements of regulatory agencies to help ensure the safety and quality of products. Our range of services include physical property testing, chemical assessments, battery evaluations, knowledge of new and existing standards, software testing, risk assessment and analysis and other electrical testing. For more information on our hoverboard services, visit: https://www.intertek.com/batteries/hoverboard-testing.
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 40,000 people in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers’ operations and supply chains.
Bringing quality and safety to life.
For further information, please contact:
Derek Silva
Director, Global Products Marketing
978-263-2662
derek.silva@intertek.com
Cheryl Prejsnar
Public Relations Manager
630-481-3185
cheryl.prejsnar@intertek.com