NEW YORK — While lithium-ion battery safety has been a top priority of the FDNY and hundreds of companies have been inspected and/or ticketed, a CBS News New York investigation has found that online loopholes pose major risks.
In February, Fazil Khan, a Columbia graduate with a bright future, died a lithium-ion battery fire in his apartment building in Haarlem. The boyfriend of 27-year-old Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu is still heartbroken.
“And I still didn’t believe it until the day of the funeral because I thought there must be some confusion somewhere, there’s some mistake,” Asiedu said.
Firefighters carried out daring rope rescues and 17 people were injured in the blaze, which started on the floor below Kham’s apartment.
“Now I’m much more concerned with it and when I see delivery drivers and drivers using their e-bikes, I wonder where they charge them? How safe is it for them and also for their neighbors?” Asiedu said.
FDNY says battery safety campaign prevents fire deaths
The FDNY believes their public awareness campaign is one of the reasons for the number of deaths in New York lithium-ion battery is lit has dropped to five this year, compared to 14 by this time in 2023.
“It is a top priority of mine and a top priority of the department,” said FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker.
“We are now close to the same number of fires as this time last year. However, we have 32 fewer structural fires. To me, that means that people are heeding that message. Whenever possible, keep these things. outside,” said FDNY Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn.
New York City is also working to ensure that the only e-bike batteries sold in the five boroughs are safe and certified by an accredited laboratory, such as UL. Are legally required from last year. Since then, the city has issued 275 violations against brick-and-mortar stores for allegedly selling or renting uncertified e-bikes, scooters or batteries, and 25 against online retailers, including one to Amazon in February.
Sellers falsely advertised certified batteries on Amazon, UL says
Nevertheless, CBS News New York was able to order two different batteries from Amazon and have them shipped to Manhattan.
Each listing described the batteries as having “passed UL testing.” The third-party seller declined to send us proof of this due to the “need to keep them secret” from competitors, but UL says it has not certified either battery.
“It’s a big concern for us,” said Dr. Robert Slone of UL Solutions. “It’s a very serious issue because it puts the public at risk. There’s no guarantee that that product has even been tested or seen.”
Both UL and FDNY praised Amazon for a feature that prevents many batteries from being shipped to New York City.
“They’ve been extremely receptive and cooperative. It’s a big platform. I don’t think they’re doing that intentionally,” Tucker said.
Amazon would not agree to an interview but said those batteries are now restricted and that it strives to ensure compliance with safety laws.
An Amazon spokesperson said:
“We strive to ensure that all products offered in our store comply with applicable laws, regulations, and Amazon policies, including NYC Local Law 39. We ensure that our selection meets industry-accepted standards and we develop innovative tools to prevent the sale of unsafe products. We continuously monitor our store and if we discover that a product has not been detected by our automated checks, we immediately address the issue and refine our checks action to ensure a safe selection for our retain customers, including removing non-conforming products and contacting vendors, manufacturers and government agencies, such as DCWP, for additional information, as appropriate.”
Amazon has challenged the violation from the NYC Department of Consumer and Work Protection
As for that February violation? Amazon challenged this and a hearing officer ruled in the company’s favor, which the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is now appealing.
“We need federal action because when it comes to online, it will be very difficult to police the same way as has been the case so far in the physical places,” said Vilda Vera Mayuga, commissioner of the department .
Products certified by UL usually have a holographic sticker with the laboratory’s logo. But we also found a label printer on Alibaba.com that used photos of UL stickers to advertise its services and agreed to send it to us.
UL says they are not an authorized label printer.
A statement from Alibaba said:
“Alibaba.com is committed to maintaining the highest standards for product listings and strictly prohibits the sale of unauthorized or counterfeit items. Upon receiving notice of such listings, we immediately removed them from our platform and initiated enforcement action against the responsible seller .
We pledge to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing any violations of applicable laws or our platform rules, reaffirming our commitment to maintaining the integrity of our marketplace.”
The FDNY said firefighters found a fake UL sticker on a charger in a home after a deadly fire in Queens last year.
Tim McNicholas
