The Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL] would provide for regulations concerning the safe storage, use and disposal of lithium-ion batteries in the UK. Regulations made under the bill would be subject to the negative procedure, meaning they would remain in effect after being signed into law unless either House of Parliament passed a motion to cancel them within a set time period.
Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density, meaning they can store a large amount of energy in a small volume, and a high power density, meaning they can support very high power demands. In addition, they can be charged hundreds to thousands of times and can be very light, which together with their high energy density make them useful for powering portable devices. They are also used on a larger scale as part of battery energy storage systems (BESS), which enable energy, including from renewable sources, to be stored and released when power is needed. However, while lithium-ion technology is generally safe, improper design, manufacturing and/or damage can lead to ‘thermal runaway’. This is one of the primary risks related to lithium-ion batteries, in which they enter an uncontrollable, self-heating state that can result in them ejecting gas, shrapnel and/or particulates and extremely high temperatures leading to fires.
The UK has seen an increasing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries used in e-scooters and e-bikes in particular, some of which have resulted in fatalities. In July 2023, Electrical Safety First, a charity that campaigns on electrical safety issues across the UK, published a report entitled ‘Battery breakdown’ that examined this issue and made recommendations for addressing the problem. It later published a draft bill similar in intent to the Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL].
Following the July 2024 general election, the new Labour government included a commitment to introduce a Product Safety and Metrology Bill in the July 2024 King’s Speech. It said the bill would enable the UK to “address challenges” arising from technological advances “such as the fire risk associated with e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries”. Electrical Safety First welcomed the government’s proposals.
