DTI proposes stricter safety standards for e-bikes

New rules could make e-bikes costlier.

Filipinos buying electric bikes and other light electric vehicles (LEVs) could soon have another thing to check before making a purchase, as the government proposes mandatory safety certification for these products.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is seeking public comments until December 13 on a draft regulation requiring covered electric vehicles and their batteries to comply with applicable Philippine National Standards (PNS) before they can be legally sold or distributed in the country.

The proposal covers electric bicycles, personal e-mobility devices, electrically propelled mopeds, electric motorcycles and the batteries that power them.

Batteries will undergo a separate certification process, meaning compliance will not end with testing the complete vehicle.

The DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards said the proposed rules aim to protect consumers from electrical hazards, severe overheating, power malfunctions and potential fires.

The draft also seeks to filter out substandard products from the domestic market.

For businesses, the proposed regulation could mean additional testing and certification requirements. How much these could cost manufacturers, importers and retailers remains to be established.

The measure is still under consultation. Consumers and industry stakeholders can submit feedback and recommendations until December 13.

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