FPA joins call for tougher UK lithium-ion battery rules
The Fire Protection Association (FPA) has joined other UK safety groups in signing an open letter calling for stronger regulation of online marketplaces selling lithium-ion batteries.
According to the FPA, the letter was coordinated by Electrical Safety First (ESF) as part of its Battery Breakdown campaign. It was sent to Justin Madders MP, Minister for Employment Rights, Competition, and Markets.
The letter asks the government to introduce secondary legislation to make online marketplaces accountable for product safety, particularly for e-bikes and e-scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries.
The campaign is backed by hundreds of UK consumer groups, businesses, and public safety organisations.
The FPA said the call builds on the Product Regulation and Metrology Act, which received Royal Assent in July 2025.
Product Regulation and Metrology Act
The FPA reported that the Act gives the Minister powers to identify and regulate high-risk products sold to consumers.
The letter argues that secondary legislation is needed to apply these powers to lithium-ion batteries, which have been linked to a growing number of fires in the UK.
The ESF stated: “This essential Act has laid the groundwork for the introduction of a strong new duty on online marketplaces and tough enforcement powers to protect online shoppers and drive economic growth in line with your government’s key mission.”
The charity explained that without further legislation, the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries would not be addressed.
It noted that other high-risk products such as fireworks and heavy machinery are already subject to specific safety regulations.
Demands made in the letter
The FPA explained that the letter calls for two key measures.
First, it proposes a duty on online marketplaces to take responsibility for ensuring products sold through their platforms are safe.
Second, it calls for regulators to be empowered to issue heavy fines or take further enforcement action if marketplaces fall short of safety standards.
The letter described the Act as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise the UK’s product safety regime for the digital age”.
It added: “Countless investigations have exposed the unrelenting availability of dangerous products that easily return to market even if illegal listings are removed. Only clear and strong requirements backed up by severe penalties will deter online marketplaces from allowing unsafe products to appear on their platforms in the first place.”
Fire risks from e-bikes and e-scooters
The FPA has previously reported that the number of lithium-ion battery fires in the UK has risen sharply in recent years.
Government figures cited by the organisation showed there were 170 e-bike fires reported in 2024. That compares to 2 in 2017 and 26 in 2020.
The FPA added that nearly half of the 2024 incidents involved post-market conversion kits used to make standard bicycles electric.
The group has argued that this trend highlights the need for stronger safety rules and oversight.
Previous involvement of the FPA
The FPA explained that it supported ESF’s earlier campaign in November 2023.
That campaign sought new legislation to improve safety checks, disposal measures, and fire safety provisions for e-scooters and e-bikes powered by lithium-ion batteries.
The organisation said the current open letter continues its involvement in the issue, alongside a broad coalition of safety groups and businesses.
It added that the coalition views secondary legislation as necessary to ensure consumers and compliant businesses are protected.
Government response expected
The FPA noted that officials are drafting secondary regulations and that a consultation process is expected in the coming months.
The letter urged the Minister to act quickly to implement robust rules so that the Act achieves its intended outcomes.
It concluded: “We urge you to do everything in your power to ensure robust secondary regulations are adopted so that this Act meets its promise.”
The government has yet to publicly respond to the letter.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The FPA has highlighted that lithium-ion batteries are increasingly linked to fire incidents in the UK.
Stronger regulation of these products could have direct implications for fire services, safety inspectors, and compliance officers.
The development also affects businesses involved in manufacturing and selling compliant products, as it could reduce the market for unsafe imports.
Fire safety professionals will need to follow the progress of secondary legislation closely to understand how enforcement and oversight responsibilities may change.
FPA joins call for tougher UK lithium-ion battery rules: Summary
The Fire Protection Association has signed an open letter coordinated by Electrical Safety First.
The letter was sent to Justin Madders MP, Minister for Employment Rights, Competition, and Markets.
It calls for secondary legislation under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act.
The proposals include making online marketplaces accountable for product safety.
It also calls for regulators to be given powers to issue fines and take enforcement action.
The FPA reported that lithium-ion battery fires have risen sharply in recent years.
There were 170 e-bike fires in 2024, compared to 2 in 2017 and 26 in 2020.
Nearly half of the 2024 fires involved post-market conversion kits.
The FPA previously supported ESF’s 2023 campaign on battery safety.
A government consultation on secondary regulations is expected in the coming months.