April 18, 2016

Produce, distribute and sell hover boards (also known as self-balancing scooters) to the EU and USA with SGS's new hover board evaluation services.

Following an epidemic of high-profile product failures, hover boards, the must have gadget of 2015, hit trouble following reports of fires and explosions during use and recharging. Consumers lost confidence, sales stalled and in some countries imports were stopped at the port of entry.

In response, SGS has developed a new range of testing protocols, to ensure that hover boards destined for the EU and USA markets meet, or exceed, the requirements of all relevant regulations, for both adults and children. While there is not yet a specific harmonized standard for these products, they do fall within the scope of existing EU and US legislation.

Investigations by the UK's National Trading Standards and the USA's Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) revealed a wide range of safety issues, with the main concerns relating to the compliance of rechargeable batteries, plugs, cabling, chargers and cut-off switches used in some of the boards.

SGS Hoverboard Evaluation Services

SGS has developed comprehensive testing and verification services for hover boards (mechanical, electrical and electronic) and also for children's hover boards (those products designed for children up to the age of 14 years in the EU, and children 12 years or younger in the USA).

  • Technical Documentation Review: Whether for new products or those that have already shipped, SGS can review technical documentation and identify any gaps.
  • Product Evaluation: SGS electrical and electronic experts can provide clients with a complete product evaluation service, including performance tests, critical safety tests, construction checks, marking and labelling review, and instruction manual review.

Independent and innovative, SGS experts use state-of-the-art facilities and technology to deliver tailor made added value services that help improve clients' businesses.

For further information contact:

Stephanie Meyer-Pionchon
Global Hardlines Marketing Manager
Consumer and Retail
t: +33 4 42 61 64 46

About SGS

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world.

SGS SA issued this content on 18 April 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 18 April 2016 10:26:05 UTC

Original Document: http://www.sgs.com/en/news/2016/04/sgs-launches-hover-board-safety-evaluation-service