The Australian Commonwealth Government has introduced a mandatory standard under the Australian Consumer Law to ensure the safety of self-balancing scooters (previously called ‘hoverboards’).

The safety standard is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation as the Consumer Goods (Self-balancing Scooters) Safety Standard 2016. https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2016L01180.

The Standard applies to a two-wheeled ride on device with no steering grips, seats or handlebars which is powered by a lithium-ion battery that is rechargeable via connection to a mains power supply.

Caution … although this rules-out Segways, there are devices called “Segway Boards” which fall under the definition of a self-balancing scooter

A Certificate of Approval showing compliance with AS/NZS 60335.2.29:2004 +A1 & A2 and AS/NZS 60335.1:2011 +A1 +A2 +A3 does NOT certify compliance with the Consumer Goods (Self-balancing Scooters) Safety Standard 2016.

There are specific standards with which self-balancing scooters must comply.

These are referenced in section 7 of the new standard.

Specifically, Annex B of AS/NZS60335.1, which, amongst other requirements, imposes mandatory charge-time testing of 24hrs min for heating tests and 168hrs for abnormal operation.

Merely testing the charger against the charger standard (AS/NZS60335.2.29), without the (charger + self-balancing scooter) being subjected to the above tests will not satisfy the new safety requirements.