House passes bill cracking down on lithium-ion battery safety standards. Here's how it works.
NEW YORK -- The House has passed legislation that would crack down on safety standards for lithium-ion batteries, which have caused a record number of fatal fires in New York City.
Rep. Ritchie Torres introduced the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act on the House floor Tuesday.
The bill passed by a 378-34 vote Wednesday. It now goes to the Senate.
Lithium-ion battery legislation introduced in Congress
The bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in devices like electric scooters and bikes.
"Poorly manufactured lithium-ion batteries, largely imported from China, are hidden ticking time bombs waiting to detonate in American homes and communities," Torres said.
CBS New York's Lisa Rozner asked Torres for an example of a potential safety standard the CPSC could set. He said they could decide to require that "all lithium ion-batteries conform to UL certification."
"UL" stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a company that ensures electronic products meet safety standards.
Lithium-ion batteries cause devastating fires in NYC
Torres said between 2019 and 2023, the New York City Fire Department reported more than 400 fires, 300 injuries and 12 deaths from fire caused by lithium-ion batteries.
Shocking video from March 2023 shows how a lithium-ion battery charging an e-bike sparked a five-alarm fire that wiped out a Grand Concourse supermarket and laundromat. A year later, witnesses say it's a miracle no one died, but dozens lost jobs and convenient access to produce.
Khalid Raja owns a neighboring business and says he's felt the impact of the loss.
"There was a lot of foot traffic so we are down almost 40 percent in business," he said.
Raja says he's in favor of regulation.
"Motorbikes should be regulated, at least, if not banned. But at least it should be regulated," he said. "Crazy because one little battery can destroy the whole business."